Pet Economy: Owners memorializing dead pets in special cemetery

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The Qingming Festival has also become a time for many to memorialize their deceased pets. As pet numbers increase across China, pet burial services have also been on the rise. CGTN reporter Hu Chao takes a glimpse at the industry.

"My baby, Mao Mao Tou, I miss you so much."

It's the fifth time that Li Jianmin has visited this cemetery since her dog died last year where her ashes are buried. She had Mao Mao Tou for over a decade.

LI JIANMIN TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "Now wherever I go around my home, I always think of my dog. She was really adorable. I miss her very much."

Li believes this pet cemetery is a must for those grieving over the loss of a cat, dog, or other cherished animal. Such a memorial can help soothe the pain.

LI JIANMIN TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "I think it's necessary. I love small animals. They are just like people. They are also living creatures roaming the earth. They deserve a place for their remains. I'll never throw them away like some people do."

Li Chunyang opened this pet funeral home last June. Located in the suburbs of Taiyuan, it's 2,000 square meters large, including the cemetery. Services of purification, funerals, cremation and cemetery plots are all provided here. And a full set of services costs around 1,500 yuan.

LI CHUNYANG PET FUNERAL HOME OWNER, TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "I had a dog for 11 years. And I buried her under a city bridge. But later, after road construction, I couldn't find her. I was sad and felt like I lost her a second time. So I thought why not open a cemetery for pets."

But as a new rising industry, pet funeral homes are still unknown to many people. Li says most pet owners often bury their deceased pets randomly which can cause transmission of diseases.

And there's still no governmental nor any kind of legal supervision over the industry. Unreasonable charges for the aforementioned services are often reflected in negative reports.

LI CHUNYANG PET FUNERAL HOME OWNER, TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "I hope the government can make regulations to streamline the industry. They can refer to our suggestions and learn from the already developed industry in foreign countries. That's the only way this industry will develop healthily."

Pet clinics also echo Li's thoughts.

LI YINING HEAD, XIAO JING LING PET HOSPITAL "An increasing number of pets leads to more deceased ones. How to deal with the dead pet patients properly is also a problem for us. We hope related government departments can support the last link of the pet industry chain."

Hu Chao, CGTN, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.