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Pets

Pets
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Pets. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A puppy yoga studio in Bangkok offers visitors comfort and stress relief for US$60 for each one-hour session. Photo: RedNote
Viral stories

Bangkok puppy yoga studio offers comfort and stress relief for US$60 per session

Studio collaborates with local dog shelters and breeders, showcasing breeds such as Samoyeds, golden retrievers, and huskies.

Malaysia

Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar

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Trending in China

China cat survives after trapped in running washing machine, suffers just red nose

Trending in China

Chinese woman with social anxiety feeds 120 stray cats with banquet leftovers

Woman has participated in wedding banquets about every 10 days in past 3 years, sometimes bringing home 30kg of untouched leftover food.

A young woman with social anxiety moved many by “crashing” 100 weddings to collect leftovers for 120 stray cats, inspiring a following of 1.5 million as she shared her journey. Photo: Douyin
The Philippines

Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections

Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.

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Viral stories

Japan security guard’s bond with cat moves many; museum honours feline’s memory

Friendly feline made regular visits to play with venue guard; staff create calendar bearing photos of their interactions for posterity.

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Animals

When did domestic cats arrive in Europe? Much later than previously thought

Domestic cats may have arrived in Europe 2,000 years ago via Roman trade routes, not with farmers in prehistoric times, a new study says.

Despite cats’ popularity as pets, the history of their domestication has remained difficult for scientists to decipher. Photo: Reuters
Trending in China

Labrador lost on China beach found 1,500km away 3 months later, reunited with owner

‘Lazy’ canine called September wanders off with another dog, is found after exhaustive search; develops more ‘willing’ temperament as result.

Trending in China

China 3-legged puppy, destined to be put down, becomes effective SWAT police dog

Crime-fighting canine forms special emotional bond with his ‘comrade’ handler who also has leg problems; pair share sense of ‘hardship’.

Animals

What is ‘hobby dogging’? Trend of training imaginary dogs ridiculed online

‘Hobby dogging’, where dog lovers train with imaginary pets on the end of leashes and harnesses, has taken off in Germany.

Dog trainer Barbara Gerlinger (centre) holds an empty dog leash while teaching “hobby dogging”, a viral trend of training imaginary dogs, to participants in one of her courses. Photo: dpa
Trending in China

Chinese woman’s pet alpaca dies from cold after groomers fail to dry it properly

Animal from species regarded as ‘pet celebrities’ online is considered adorable and intelligent, was left overnight with damp fur.

A Chinese woman took her pet alpaca to a pet shop for grooming, but due to the negligence of an employee the animal’s fur was not properly dried, leading to its death from hypothermia. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Elderly China woman tearfully hugs pet duck killed by car, mourns loss of companion

Many recognise that the duck had become the woman’s emotional anchor and spiritual support.

New Openings

Hong Kong new openings, from new music venue Tides to a pet club in West Kowloon

Italian pasticceria Cova reopens in Pacific Place, a new pickleball venue offers four indoor courts, and pets come first at WestK Pet Club.

South Korea

South Korea’s growing crisis of illegal puppy sales on YouTube spark concerns

One advocate group claims many animals are bred in poor conditions, with dogs kept in cramped, unsanitary cages and bred repeatedly for profit.

Livestreams of pet sales on YouTube. Photo: Youtube
Sustainability

Is your pet’s dinner harming the environment as much as driving a car?

Your pet’s diet harms the planet more than you think – but there are ways to minimise carbon footprint while keeping your cat or dog full.

A dog looks out of a car window. The pollution created from the meat that dogs and cats consume in the US is equivalent to the pollution created from driving 13.6 million cars for a year, according to one study. Photo: AP
Crime

Letters | Donkeys slaughtered for their skin is a tragedy on multiple levels

Readers discuss the illicit trade’s damage to animal, human and environmental well-being, and how the city can have both halal and pet-friendly restaurants.

Trending in China

Outrage in China over release of 1,100 cats into reservoir in ‘life release’ ritual

Paddleboarders battle to save terrified felines as they struggle to swim during ‘Buddhist’ ritual; animal protection staff say many perished.

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Trending in China

China pet owners honour Dog God, offer food, bless by placing leashes in incense ashes

Pet lovers flock to country’s only pagoda dedicated to canines, in search of protection, good fortune, health for their animals.

Growing numbers of young pet owners in China are visiting a unique mountain pagoda to bless and bring good health to their dogs. Photo: RedNote
Trending in China

China blogger claims stray cats are bled by illicit blood bank for pet clinics

Woman says extraction process sees cats hung upside down to make sure every last drop of blood is drained from their bodies.

Viral stories

Turkish man pays US$240 in ‘cat support’ to ex-wife, highlights new divorce trend

Legal first sees well-being of felines taken care of until they die; legal experts say payments cannot be considered alimony.

China jobs

Who’s hiring in China? Pet care and advanced manufacturing stand out

Advanced manufacturing and ‘modern services’ led the way in job creation in third quarter, report says.

People prepare a dog for a competition at Pet Fair Asia 2025 in Shanghai in August. Photo: EPA
Trending in China

Chinese man quits ‘great job’ to provide therapy dogs which help autistic, depressed people

Animal therapy pioneer persists in face of opposition from his father to build a pioneering service that uses dogs, cats for healing.

A man who launched the Paw for Heal programme in China in 2012, now has more than 300 service dogs which help children with autism, people with depression and the elderly. Photo: SCMP composite/health.ycwb.com
Trending in China

Dog driving mobility scooter goes viral; China owner says pet can also skateboard

Clever canine that can start and stop specially modified vehicle using its paws is pulled over by police; owner gets verbal warning.

Trending in China

Explainer | Why Tibetan New Year offers feast for dogs and divinatory significance of food choices

Canine custom sees dogs choose from array of delicacies symbolising what future holds; owners must show reverence to animal throughout.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

A perfect purr-scription? How ‘pet doctors’ can help Hong Kong hospital patients

Hospital Authority to allow palliative care patients to spend time with pets and already has volunteer animals to comfort those in need.

Patient Fung spends time with “Dr” Goofy at Caritas Medical Centre. Photo: Sun Yeung
Animals

Dogs flying in cargo hold count as baggage, top EU court rules

A passenger’s pet, Mona, was lost after escaping from an aircraft, prompting a dispute over compensation from the airline.

Mona escaped while being taken to the plane and was never seen again. Photo: Facebook/buscandoamona
Animals

Does your dog want to play all the time? Why that could be a bad thing

Some dogs’ excessive play and attachment to their toys is similar to behaviours exhibited by human addicts, and could be just as damaging.

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Some pet toys in Hong Kong have chemicals that can cause allergies: watchdog

But Consumer Council says 97 per cent of tested dog toys comply with migration limits stipulated in European safety standard for children’s toys.

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