A photo taken on May 9, 2022 shows a veterinarian playing with a dog at a pet hospital on Qinglian Street in Shanghai's Huangpu District. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]
A local political adviser has suggested that Shanghai make more efforts to create a pet-friendly environment, which could affect the decisions of some young people at home and abroad to work or live in the city.
Lu Huiwen, a member of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the city's political advisory body, said that a certain proportion of public spaces and public transportation should be given to these furry friends and their owners. He said it was necessary to open up.
She proposed continuing the annual meeting of the local political advisory body, which runs through Thursday.
He said the city could apply a uniform logo for shopping malls, parks, restaurants and hotels to indicate pet-friendly establishments. Details need to be worked out, such as which specific areas within such venues should ban pets and how to deal with potential conflicts.
“Such businesses and communities must clearly indicate whether they are pet-friendly on their websites and social platforms. This will ensure that the areas of activity for pet owners and those who fear pets do not interfere with each other. “It's a harmonious coexistence between people and pets,” said Lu, who is also president of Shanghai Xiehe Education Group.
He also said that Shanghai Municipality has announced pet management regulations, expanded the scope of pet management, and improved the registration, licensing, epidemic prevention, medical care, and adoption management systems. He proposed forming rules.
“Relevant regulations should clarify punishments for pet abandonment and abuse and strengthen law enforcement,” Lu said.
A PwC report on China's pet industry released in 2022 found that half of pet owners were born in the 1990s or earlier, 57% had a college degree or above, and about half of them were single.
Lu said that in today's society, pets are increasingly playing a role as companions and stable emotional support.
