Chongqing — More than a decade after students left its classrooms, a former village primary school in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has found a new purpose. The campus now welcomes dogs and their owners, reflecting how China's growing pet economy is creating new opportunities in county-level areas.

The former Xianqiao Village Primary School, located in Yuding Village, Wanling Town, Rongchang District, has been transformed into Quye, a pet-care center that combines boarding services, recreation areas and social spaces for pets and their owners.

A dog relaxes alongside its owner during a leisure activity. (Photo/Interviewee)

Surrounded by cornfields and fish ponds, the center opened earlier this year and has attracted 40 to 50 members within its first three months of operation.

"We wanted to create a place where pets have enough space to play freely while owners can also relax and spend time together," said Zhu Junye, who operates the center with her husband, Xiong Weijie.

Inside the former school building, a row of classrooms has been converted into 17 boarding rooms of varying sizes, accommodating one to three dogs each. Boarding fees range from 68 yuan to 158 yuan ($9 to $22) per day. Each room is equipped with cameras that allow owners to check on their pets remotely. Other parts of the campus have also been repurposed. The former school playground now serves as an outdoor exercise area where dogs can run freely, while the old cafeteria has been redesigned as an indoor activity space for use during bad weather.

Xiong Weijie plays with a dog staying at his pet care facility at a sports field. (Photo/Interviewee)

Zhu said the idea for the business grew out of her own experience as a pet owner.

"I simply wanted a place where my three dogs could run and play," she said. "I didn't expect it to become a business opportunity."

After spending three months searching for a suitable location and visiting more than 10 potential sites, Zhu and Xiong chose the former school because of its spacious grounds, reasonable rental costs and location away from densely populated residential areas while remaining accessible from Rongchang's urban center.

Many of Quye's customers are young adults who increasingly regard pets as companions and family members, driving demand for services that extend beyond basic care.

One regular visitor, a 26-year-old owner of a 9-month-old Border Collie named Suisui, said the center offers opportunities that are difficult to find in urban environments.

"Here, my dog can run, play and interact with other dogs in an open space," she said. "The first time we came, Suisui played for an entire afternoon and was exhausted by the time we left. I could tell it was happy."

She has since become a member and now visits the center at least twice a week.

The rise in pet ownership has created a growing market for related products and services across China. According to local authorities, Rongchang District is positioning itself as a regional hub for the pet industry in the Chengdu-Chongqing area. The district has more than 22,000 pet dogs and cats, and the number continues to grow.

A pet supplies booth also offers locally raised chickens and ducks for sale. (Photo/Luo Yun)

According to statistics cited in local reports, Chongqing has more than 1.2 million pet-owning households, with the market expanding at an average annual rate of 18%.

The trend is no longer confined to major urban centers. Pet ownership has expanded steadily into county-level cities and towns, creating new business opportunities in areas traditionally associated with agriculture rather than consumer services.

Since opening, Quye has expanded its offerings beyond boarding and recreation. The center now hosts pet birthday celebrations, sells pet food and supplies, and provides tea, coffee and farmhouse-style meals for visitors. Two former classrooms have also been converted into guest rooms for pet owners traveling from neighboring districts and provinces.

Visitors have come not only from Rongchang but also from nearby districts including Yongchuan and Dazu, with some traveling from neighboring Sichuan Province.

The business has also created opportunities for local residents. In response to visitor demand for regional specialties, Quye began helping villagers sell free-range chickens, ducks and eggs. Through this arrangement, dozens of poultry and hundreds of eggs have already been sold, providing an additional source of income for local farmers.

The center's business model illustrates how pet-related services can be integrated with rural tourism and local agricultural sales. While pets use the facilities, owners can dine, stay overnight, and purchase local products, creating new consumption opportunities in county-level communities.

For Zhu, however, the idea remains simple.

"We want this to be a place where both pets and their owners can enjoy spending time together," she said.

As China's pet economy continues to expand, developments like Quye reflect how changing consumer preferences are reshaping businesses beyond the country's largest cities, creating new possibilities for rural revitalization and local consumption.