In the provincial capital of Shanxi, the "pet economy" is transcending traditional retail. Driven by a younger generation that views animals as family members, the market in Taiyuan is pivoting toward a professionalized ecosystem that includes high-speed rail transport, standardized in-home care, and advanced geriatric veterinary medicine.

Chen Hong, a 40-year-old pet sitter, has become a key figure in this burgeoning industry. On a recent job, she donned disposable shoe covers and gloves and sprayed disinfectant before entering a client's home. Immediately, two cats approached and began affectionately rubbing against her legs.

"More and more people consider their pets as family members and emotional anchors. As a result, pet owners are increasingly demanding higher quality services," Chen said, as she gently played with the cats.

With eight years' experience with her own cat, Chen made the transition to full-time pet sitter last winter. Her services primarily cater to owners who are traveling or on business trips, providing in-home feeding, cleaning and play time.

Chen's career path is a reflection of the rise of new pet service professions in Shanxi and across China. She navigates through various communities in Taiyuan daily, handling five to six appointments on average, with demand surging to over a dozen during peak holiday seasons.

According to the 2026 China Pet Industry White Paper, there are nearly 126 million dogs and cats in urban China, with a market size reaching 312.6 billion yuan ($45.5 billion). The report forecasts that by 2028, the pet industry's consumption scale will expand to 405 billion yuan.

Unlike traditional boarding, in-home pet sitting aligns better with the natural habits of animals and is favored by many owners. Zhang Zining, a 28-year-old resident of Taiyuan, owns an Abyssinian cat. Whenever she plans to travel for more than two days, she books in-home pet sitting services.