Pet custody disputes draw increasing attention in China, where pets are treated as property

Pets in China have become deeply woven into people’s lives and romantic relationships, especially those of younger couples. When romance sours, deciding “who gets custody” is becoming a painful legal grey area for many couples. According to pet industry data, China’s urban dog and cat population reached 126 million in 2025, driven largely by Gen Z and millennial. Many young couples treat their pets like children, calling each other the “Mum” and “Dad” of their fur babies. “While love may fade,...