A small pet-care center a big step for love

A special pet-care center in Shenzhen has widely won applause. To help people in quarantine facilities take care of their pets, Shenzhen, the technology hub in Guangdong province, recently opened the country's first pet-care center to take care of their pets while their masters are not at home.

Such a small pet-care center in fact is a big step for love, which shows the city authorities' care for ordinary residents' diversified needs during outbreaks.

Because of the high infection rate of COVID-19's Omicron variants, many provinces and cities are adopting strict measures to control outbreaks. Many people have been taken into quarantine, leaving their pets unattended.

Most pet owners, after all, see their pets as members of their family. So a simple and brutal way to treat the unattended pets, despite just in some rare and extreme cases, will not only hurt their masters, but also cause misunderstanding among the people.

According to the 2021 "white paper" on the pet industry, released by the China Animal Agricultural Association, there are over 112 million pet dogs and cats in China. That means on average eight out of every 100 Chinese have a pet, mostly a dog or a cat. Therefore, the small pets are important for many families, which is no longer a small affair for a big city.

In addition to being emotional attachment, pets are also people's private possession that local authorities have to take it more seriously. Taking good care of pets will show the authorities' respect to both life and private property.

Shenzhen has set a good example in this regard, with the local authorities coming forward to care for pets while their masters are in quarantine. The newly-established pet care facility is in accordance with the guidelines of battling the coronavirus more precisely and at minimum cost.

Widespread praise on the small pet center in Shenzhen reflects people's strong desire to have their pets well housed when they are in quarantine, which shouldn't be ignored. Although the care center can only accommodate a maximum of 300 pets, it's undoubtedly a good start.

The author is a writer with China Daily.