Monday, April 21, 2025

The Purr-fect Job: China’s Growing Demand for Pet Detectives

Yonhap News

As the number of pet owners in China is rapidly increasing, a new profession has emerged that helps find lost pets. This new job is commonly referred to as a Pet Detective.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on July 4, the number of people entering the business of finding missing cats and dogs, known as animal detectives, is rising in China.

The reason for the popularity of such unique jobs as animal detectives is the rapid growth of the pet market in China. China’s pet market is the second-largest in the world after the United States (approximately $123 billion). According to iMediaResearch, the size of China’s pet market grew to $80 billion last year despite being $13 billion in 2015.

Most of these animal detectives are self-employed and promote their services through social media and e-commerce platforms to find work. The search volume for the keyword finding cats and dogs on Xianyu, a Chinese online secondhand marketplace, has increased nearly fourfold in the first half of this year alone.

With the continuous increase in related demand, many of them reportedly earn up to $4,200 a month.

To become an animal detective, several conditions must be met. Physical strength is needed to find animals that tend to hide in difficult places, along with good eyesight and logical reasoning abilities.

Practical knowledge and experience with modern technology, such as thermal imaging cameras and drones, are also required. Liu Wei, an active animal detective, told Chinese media that “the cost of the equipment needed for this job alone is $2,800.”

Meanwhile, Research and Markets, a global market research firm, predicted that the number of pets in China will reach 200 million by next year.

Hot this week

Foldable iPhone Incoming: 7.76-Inch Display, Samsung Panel, $2K+ Price

Apple is rumored to launch a foldable iPhone next year, priced between $2100-$2300, exceeding Samsung's foldable models.

Oil Prices Jump Nearly 2% After U.S. Sanctions Chinese Refineries

Oil prices surged over 1.8% amid supply concerns after U.S. sanctions on Chinese refineries importing Iranian oil.

Semiconductor Rout Sends Nasdaq Down 3%, S&P Falls 2.2%

The New York stock market plunged due to semiconductor export regulations and stagflation concerns, impacting major tech stocks.

‘Buy British’ Is Trending Again—Here’s What’s Driving It

A survey shows 71% of Britons support buying local products amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and rising living costs.

Markets Wobble After Three-Day Rally—Boeing Tumbles, Tesla Shrugs Off Chart Alarm

U.S. stock indices fell as concerns over Trump's tariffs lingered, while Tesla and Nvidia showed resilience despite market declines.

Topics

Foldable iPhone Incoming: 7.76-Inch Display, Samsung Panel, $2K+ Price

Apple is rumored to launch a foldable iPhone next year, priced between $2100-$2300, exceeding Samsung's foldable models.

Oil Prices Jump Nearly 2% After U.S. Sanctions Chinese Refineries

Oil prices surged over 1.8% amid supply concerns after U.S. sanctions on Chinese refineries importing Iranian oil.

Semiconductor Rout Sends Nasdaq Down 3%, S&P Falls 2.2%

The New York stock market plunged due to semiconductor export regulations and stagflation concerns, impacting major tech stocks.

‘Buy British’ Is Trending Again—Here’s What’s Driving It

A survey shows 71% of Britons support buying local products amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and rising living costs.

Markets Wobble After Three-Day Rally—Boeing Tumbles, Tesla Shrugs Off Chart Alarm

U.S. stock indices fell as concerns over Trump's tariffs lingered, while Tesla and Nvidia showed resilience despite market declines.

Brent Crude Falls Below $65 as IEA Cuts Oil Demand Outlook

International oil prices fell as OPEC and IEA lowered global demand growth forecasts for this year and next, impacting market stability.

Brent Settles at $64.88 as OPEC Sees Slower Global Growth

Oil prices rose slightly as OPEC lowered its global demand growth forecast, reflecting concerns over economic uncertainty and trade disputes.

Wall Street Climbs for Second Day—Dow Up 312 Points, VIX Drops 17%

The New York stock market rises as Trump delays tariffs, easing investor anxiety, though mixed results emerge among major tech firms.

Related Articles