Chongqing -  Chongqing's Jiulongpo District was buzzing with a 'furry' kind of joy on September 27 as the "Good Dog GO! Pet Carnival" attracted nearly 3,000 residents and their pets.

Chongqing's Jiulongpo District was buzzing with a 'furry' kind of joy on September 27 as the "Good Dog GO! Pet Carnival" attracted nearly 3,000 residents and their pets. (Photo: The event organizer)

The carnival, centered on the theme "Love and Companionship," created immersive interactive scenarios specifically designed for pets and their owners, promoting the shared vision of building a better living environment for both people and animals.

Owners guided their pets through a "willpower" challenge in the pet market zone. A corgi named Laifu, using his keen sense of smell, successfully snagged treats twice in a row. Over at the customized family photo booth in the interactive zone, a pet photographer patiently helped dogs strike poses, capturing heartwarming moments of owners with their "furry kids." Props like "pet costumes" and "mini scarves" were available to add to the fun.

Chongqing's Jiulongpo District was buzzing with a 'furry' kind of joy on September 27 as the "Good Dog GO! Pet Carnival" attracted nearly 3,000 residents and their pets. (Photo: The event organizer)

The "obstacle blind walk" area featured a "guided blind walk with your dog" activity, helping new pet-owning families build mutual trust. Ms. Wang, a local resident, participated in an outdoor event for the first time with her Border Collie. Feeling nervous after being blindfolded, she was surprised and touched when her dog slowed its pace and successfully guided her through the course. "I always thought I was the one taking care of her," Wang shared, "but today I realized she's also silently giving me a sense of security."

Chongqing's Jiulongpo District was buzzing with a 'furry' kind of joy on September 27 as the "Good Dog GO! Pet Carnival" attracted nearly 3,000 residents and their pets. (Photo: The event organizer)

Pet economy continues to sizzle

The carnival also drew numerous businesses catering to pets, offering products and services ranging from food, apparel, and daily necessities to boarding. Various smart tech products for pets were on display, including smart dog feeders, automatic cat litter boxes, and smart collars.

Notably, customized pet travel services were also promoted. A local Chongqing cultural tourism enterprise introduced specialized tour packages to Western Sichuan and Simian Mountain, tailored for those traveling with pets. These packages feature dog-friendly buses, lawn parties, jungle adventures, and paddleboarding experiences.

Although traveling with a pet increases per-person costs by approximately 30%, the service attracted steady interest at the event. Citizen Joy booked a short holiday pet tour for her Shiba Inu, Pumpkin, which cost over a thousand yuan. She also purchased a smart feeder. "Our dog has long been a family member," Joy said with a laugh. I'm more willing to spend on her than on myself."

According to the 2025 China Pet Industry Consumption Report, the consumption market scale for dogs and cats in Chinese urban areas reached 300.2 billion yuan(about $42 billion) in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%. The number of pet dogs and cats in urban areas has exceeded 120 million, indicating the sustained growth of the pet economy.

Building a "pet-friendly community"

A "Pet Public Welfare Zone" was set up at the event, where veterinarians provided health check-ups for over 520 pets and conducted basic health examinations for more than 20 stray animals. A "Stray Animal Rescue Donation Drive" was also launched, raising funds through charity sales and dog food donations. All proceeds will be used for supplies and medical assistance at stray animal rescue stations.

Some brands at the carnival partnered with the public welfare zone – pledging a donation to stray animal rescue projects for every item sold, creating a virtuous cycle where "consumption equals charity."

The organizers expressed their hope that these initiatives would help pet-owning families feel the community's inclusiveness and warmth. They also aim to raise broader awareness about respecting the lives and emotions of pets, working together to foster a harmonious and compassionate community for people and their animal companions.