In order to stimulate development of China's pet market in a healthy and orderly way and manifest development of China's pet industry, the first China International Pet Show will raise the curtain in Tianjin on Oct. 1, China's National Day.

China has a long history of raising pets. Since the 1990s, the pet industry has emerged quietly in China. This not only indicated the considerable level of China's social and economic development, but also provided new employment opportunities and a new source of tax revenue. According to statistics, so far there are more than 80 million pets in China, over 30 million of which are pet dogs. Annual turnover of pets and related products exceeds 15 billion yuan. Experts predicted that by the year of 2010, the annual trading volume of China's pet market would break the 40 billion Yuan mark. However, China's pet industry is urgently in need of scientific management and orderly development.

It is reported that the theme for this pet show is to establish a harmonious society. "Caring about another life" is the theme of the publicity for the exhibition. The activities of the show includes exhibitions of pet's culture, pet's articles, aquatic animals, books and periodicals, pet's competition (using the U.S. AKC rules), pet's hairdressing, special pets' exhibition, and famous pets' exhibition. A charming and lovely Bichon dog was chosen as the mascot of the pet show.

(Chinanews.cn August 8, 2005)