Monday, June 23, 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

Robot Fever Grips Korea: LG, Startups, and Stocks Are Booming

South Korea's robotics investment is booming, with major firms and startups entering the AI humanoid robot market, signaling growth.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 Leak: Samsung Strikes Back in the Foldable Phone War

Samsung faces stiff competition in the foldable phone market as it prepares to launch its Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 7 against lighter models from China.

From Japan to Wall Street: Nippon Steel’s Make-or-Break Financial Move

Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel involves complex financing strategies, raising concerns about debt and economic conditions.

Japan’s Steel Giant Takes Over US Steel: What It Means for American Workers

Nippon Steel acquires U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion, ensuring U.S. government oversight and maintaining its headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Trump’s Ultimatum to Iran Jolts Oil Prices into Unsteady Climb

Oil prices rose slightly as markets reacted to Trump's ultimatum to Iran, with WTI and Brent crude experiencing minor gains.

Topics

Robot Fever Grips Korea: LG, Startups, and Stocks Are Booming

South Korea's robotics investment is booming, with major firms and startups entering the AI humanoid robot market, signaling growth.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 Leak: Samsung Strikes Back in the Foldable Phone War

Samsung faces stiff competition in the foldable phone market as it prepares to launch its Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 7 against lighter models from China.

From Japan to Wall Street: Nippon Steel’s Make-or-Break Financial Move

Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel involves complex financing strategies, raising concerns about debt and economic conditions.

Japan’s Steel Giant Takes Over US Steel: What It Means for American Workers

Nippon Steel acquires U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion, ensuring U.S. government oversight and maintaining its headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Trump’s Ultimatum to Iran Jolts Oil Prices into Unsteady Climb

Oil prices rose slightly as markets reacted to Trump's ultimatum to Iran, with WTI and Brent crude experiencing minor gains.

Wall Street Wobbles After Powell Says No Rush on Rate Cuts

U.S. markets closed mixed after the Fed maintained interest rates, with tech stocks like Tesla and Nvidia gaining amid cautious investor sentiment.

Apple Joins Google in Map Export Request, Vows Flexible Compliance

Apple seeks South Korean approval to export high-precision map data, offering to accommodate government demands unlike Google.

Wall Street Takes a Dive as Tensions Rise Over Iran

The New York stock market fell sharply due to rising tensions in the Middle East and declines in major tech and solar stocks.

Related Articles