The nine-day Spring Festival holiday period ending on Monday saw a sharp rise in demand for pet transport and boarding services, as pet owners increasingly sought reliable care for their beloved furry friends while they were away for the holiday.
Since the launch of the annual Spring Festival travel rush on Feb 2, airports and railway stations nationwide reported a marked increase in pet transport services.
At Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in east China's Zhejiang Province, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Capital Airlines introduced in-cabin pet services on domestic routes, allowing approved pets to travel alongside their owners in designated seats.
At the airport's pet service counter, passengers lined up with their animals to register for travel. Airport staff said volumes for pet flights, both in cabin and in cargo, surged several-fold during the travel rush.
"Today alone we are handling around 80 pets for cargo transport and about 20 for in-cabin travel, more than 100 in total, and over seven or eight times the usual daily figure," said Lei Xianjun, duty director of the airport's ground service department.
While air transport grew rapidly, boarding services proved even more popular. Pet shops and animal hospitals across many cities entered peak booking season a week before the holiday.
At an animal hospital in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, staff cared for more than 40 boarded pets during the holiday, with rooms fully reserved two weeks in advance. Beyond standard feeding and walking routines, the hospital also tailors care plans for pets with specific medical needs.
"Most pets are fed and walked twice daily if there is no special requirement, and owners typically bring their regular food. For animals with conditions, we provide appropriate diets. For example, we provide low-fat diets for pets with pancreatitis, and tailored prescription diets for pets with urinary problems," said staff member Wu Hesheng.
"Boarding demand reached roughly 200 percent of normal levels. The surge is especially significant this year, with some customers securing reservations a month ahead of time," said Yao Xiaoshu, director of the Pet Alliance in Zhonglou District of Changzhou.
Pet travel, boarding services surge during Spring Festival holiday
