Woman Spends Rs 1.6 Lakh on Puppy's Kindergarten Training, Raising Questions About Excessive Pet Spending

China's Pet Industry Sees Surging Demand

A woman from Shanghai has sparked controversy on social media after spending 12,000 yuan (approximately Rs 1.6 lakh) per month to enroll her six-month-old Samoyed in a dog kindergarten for training due to her busy schedule. The facility, which offers a range of services including testing, behavior training, social activities, and a school bus service for pickup and drop-off, is part of a growing trend in China's pet industry.

According to the 2026 China Pet Industry White Paper, urban pet consumption in China reached 312.6 billion yuan in 2025 and is projected to exceed 405 billion yuan by 2028. The demand for pet kindergartens is high, with a waiting period of two to three weeks for enrollment. In Shanghai, the facility manages about 20 to 30 pets in the off-season, but numbers surge past 100 during high-demand periods like the Chinese New Year.

The woman, identified by the pseudonym Taotao, belongs to the 1990s generation and is based in Shanghai. She chose a package that includes daily boarding at 188 yuan, parent-child classes for 368 yuan, and a school bus pickup and drop-off service, with meals charged separately. The total cost of 12,000 yuan per month is significantly higher than the basic services offered in the sector, which cost around 950 yuan per month in Shanghai.

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Pet owners can monitor their animals in real time online, and a Shanghai-based founder surnamed Chen said that such services are in high demand. The facility provides a one-stop service including personality testing, behavioral training, daily cleaning, health check-ups, and socialization for pets. While the trend has left many on mainland social media shocked, it is part of a growing market that is expected to continue to expand in the coming years.