DALIAN, China―A new public opinion survey in the city of Dalian, in northern China, reveals strong public support for companion animal protection there. The vast majority of citizens surveyed support legislative and public action for Dalian to become a dog and cat-friendly city, including a ban on the dog and cat meat trade, support for responsible pet guardianship and care and a growing regard for companion animals as family members.
The survey was conducted by Chinese animal group Vshine, the official partner of global charity Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International), as part of their shared campaign goal to enhance companion animal protection in major cities of mainland China.
The main survey findings show that:
- 99% of respondents support efforts to help dogs and cats living on the streets.
- 99% support Dalian adopting similar policies to other cities in mainland China like Shenzhen that have banned dog and cat meat.
- 95% cite emotional attachment to dogs as their main reason for opposing dog meat.
- 95% support enacting companion animal protection laws.
- 85% hope to foster harmony between those with and without companion animals.
- 96% support “lifelong responsibility and no abandonment” of companion animals.
- 81% support responsible pet guardianship behaviors such as putting dogs on leashes in public areas and cleaning up dog waste.
- 52% of households with pets consider their dogs and cats “like children”.
- 31% adopted their companion animal from the streets, reflecting the rising popularity of an “adopt, don’t shop” philosophy.
Dr. Peter Li, China policy expert for Humane World for Animals, said: “These survey results from Dalian show that there is a moral consensus regarding caring for companion animals throughout the city. The very welcome support for actions and attitudes that protect dog and cat welfare, are extremely encouraging, as is the support expressed for legislative interventions to underpin these moral values, including a ban on the dog and cat meat trade. Not only does this show that Dalian has the social and public support needed to build a city where humans and companion animals coexist peacefully, but it also defies the negative stereotype that is all too often portrayed in Western media when it comes to attitudes towards animals in China. Dalian is a great example of a modern Chinese metropolis where there is significant public support for local laws to protect companion animals, encourage responsible pet guardianship and end the dog and cat meat trade.”
The in-person survey was conducted by Vshine from April 28 to May 4, 2025. A total of 400 valid responses were collected as a representative sample, in both urban and rural Dalian, across age groups, professions and educational backgrounds.
