Overview

• China’s urban pet population surged from about 91.5 million in 2018 to over 124 million in 2024, including 52.6 million dogs.
• An estimated 40 million stray dogs roam Chinese cities after impulsive adoptions and owner abandonment.
• Private rescue stations in Pingquan and Langfang are operating at capacity, collectively caring for more than 600 abandoned and at-risk dogs funded by personal savings and donations.
• Northern dogs continue to be smuggled to Guangxi’s annual Yulin dog meat festival despite interception efforts, prompting pre-festival rescue missions.
• Government agencies have provided no official data or response on stray dog welfare, leading Peta and other activists to press for a national animal welfare law.