(CN) Pet biz expected to claw its way higher

[Guest guest]

With increasing numbers of Chinese people beginning to keep pets, China's

pet service industry has the potential to be big business.

 

It is estimated that currently about 6 per cent of Beijing families have

pets - that means there are at least 100,000 pets in the capital.

 

In Guangzhou, the biggest city in South China, there are about 60,000 dogs

and cats.

 

In Shanghai, there are 60,000 dog owners.

 

Chinese pet-lovers do not appear to spare expense when it comes to taking

care of their new " family members. "

 

According to a report from the Guangzhou-based Yang-cheng Evening News,

every year Shanghai citizens spend a total of 200 million yuan (US$24

million) on their pets.

 

In Beijing the figure is 20 million yuan (US$2.4 million) and in Guangzhou

it is 3 million yuan (US$360,000).

 

However, the country's pet service industry lags far behind people's

expectations and has a number of problems.

 

According to a survey conducted by the Beijing-based Horizon Marketing

Research Company last month, many people are dissatisfied with pet services.

 

A total of 1,003 randomly selected Beijing residents were asked about what

they thought of the industry. The average mark given to pet services was 3.1

points out of a possible five. Major complaints include unreasonable charges

and poor service.

 

At present, there are about 120 pet hospitals in Beijing, 80 per cent of

which are not registered. With the absence of regulations, many practices

have poor standards.

 

In addition, it is thought many people know little about how to take care of

their pets.

 

The Horizon survey found only 39.3 per cent of interviewees feed their

animals packaged pet food, which could lead to poor diets and health

problems.

 

Lured by big profits, many domestic enterprises have entered the dog food

market in recent years. Currently 50 per cent of brands on the market are

produced by domestic firms.

 

However, international companies still control 90 per cent of this business.

 

 

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04/04/2001

Author: JIN BAICHENG, China Daily staff

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