(CN) Pets contribute to China's economy

[Guest guest]

(Xinhua)

Updated: 2005-02-14 13:32

 

China, the world's most populous nation, has about 150 million pet dogs,

about one for every nine people - suggesting yet another promising

consumers' market in the country, according to the China Animal Agriculture

Association's National Kennel Club.

 

A pet dog is receiving professional bathing service at pet plastic

surgery. Urban People spend considerable money on their pets. [newsphoto]

An average Chinese city has about 100,000 dogs and gains about 10,000 per

year, while large cities can have twice as many. Beijing had more than

500,000 pet dogs in 2004.

 

Behind the large pet population, analysts said, is a market with huge growth

potential.

 

Pet owners in Beijing spend more than 500 million yuan (more than 60 million

US dollars) on their pets a year, according to the kennel club, and Shanghai

seems to have a new pet shop open almost every week.

 

A purebred, well-shaped dog can sell as much as a million yuan, while the

cheapest cost just tens of yuan.

 

Pet sales and services such as medicine, hairdressing and food are also

emerging industries here.

 

Experts predicted that the annual sale of pet food and necessities in the

country might exceed 6 billion yuan by 2008.

 

They also predicted the market potential for the " pet economy " in China

could reach a minimum of 15 billion yuan.

[Guest guest]

i think this is great news for purebred dogs--and it's a step in the right

direction--but i cringe when i think about all the wonderful larger mixed

breeds--who hold a much lower status and in fact are the dogs more likely to be

tortured and killed for food and sexual reasons.