Pet custody disputes draw increasing attention in China, where pets are treated as property
Pets in China have become deeply woven into peopleโs lives and romantic relationships, especially those of younger couples. When romance sours, deciding โwho gets custodyโ is becoming a painful legal grey area for many couples. According to pet industry data, Chinaโs 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 โMumโ and โDadโ of their fur babies. โWhile love may fade,...