According to news reports, on May 8, 10 cute pets “checked in” at the Shenzhen Airport Pet Waiting Hall, waiting to take a flight to start their journey to the skies. This marked the official opening of the country’s first pet waiting hall at the Shenzhen Airport Domestic Cargo Terminal. The pet waiting hall of Shenzhen Airport is located in the B1 area of the domestic cargo terminal, with an indoor area of about 210 square meters. The hall provides 24-hour monitoring and early warning for levels in temperature, humidity, PM2.5, PM10, and ammonia.
In addition, the pet waiting hall is also divided into areas for cats and dogs. Each pet has an independent waiting space. It is equipped with professional pet experts and advanced facilities and equipment. It provides pets with special security check-in and boarding channels, dedicated care, and regular patrols. Food and water are also provided on demand and free boarding services for pets stranded due to flight delays. Passengers who choose the one-stop pet travel service can also check the status of their “cute pets” online throughout the journey.
As a benchmark and demonstration city in the county’s efforts to construct an ecological civilization, Shenzhen is once again at the forefront.
In 2019, Shenzhen’s first pet theme park opened.
In March 2020, Shenzhen enacted legislation banning the eating of dogs and cats, becoming the first city in the country to do so.
In April 2022, the country’s first pet cabin was built in Shenzhen, providing free pet care for COVID-19 quarantine personnel.
Shenzhen has been actively exploring and practicing caring for companion animals and building an animal-friendly city. As a special administrative zone it holds the spirit of “dare to be the first in the world” and works with a speed where “every second counts”, it sets an example for other cities across the country.
The World Dog Alliance has been paying close attention to Shenzhen’s “animal-friendly” model and has provided opinions and suggestions on banning of dog and cat meat and caring for companion animals. Since the end of 2016, the World Dog Alliance and its partners have visited the Municipal People’s Congress deputies and CPPCC members for three consecutive years to submit motion materials on banning dog and cat meat. In October 2022, the World Dog Alliance sent a letter suggesting to increase the number of pet parks. In November, it recommended that “companion animal activity spaces” be included in the planning of “improving community service facilities” and calling on community residents to keep pets in a civilized manner, care for and treat their animals well, and create a harmonious and warm community atmosphere. Under the leadership of government agencies and with the cooperation of public welfare organizations, Shenzhen has won one honor after another, becoming the leader of China’s animal-friendly cities while demonstrating a new level of ecological civilization and attracting praise from around the world.