合肥为何投建“宠物友好城市”｜智库

Core Insights - The "pet economy" is rapidly growing in China, with the number of pets expected to exceed 120 million by 2024, leading to a market size surpassing 300 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7.5% [1][4] - Hefei is positioning itself as a "pet-friendly city" and aims to enhance its pet economy through a three-year action plan targeting a market scale of over 5 billion yuan by 2027 [2][4][7] - The city is leveraging its agricultural advantages to integrate pet economy development with rural revitalization, aiming to create a unique model that connects urban and rural resources [4][6] Industry Development - Hefei's government has recognized the pet economy as a significant new sector within modern agriculture, with strategic goals set for industry growth and innovation [7][10] - The city has established a complete industrial chain with over 50,900 pet-related enterprises, focusing on areas such as pet food, medical care, and grooming services [10][11] - Hefei is also investing in high-tech areas like smart wearables and vaccine development, aiming to transition from manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing [6][12] Challenges and Opportunities - Despite Hefei's strong momentum, it faces challenges in scaling up compared to leading cities like Shenzhen, which has a pet industry exceeding 10 billion yuan [15][16] - The local pet economy's service sectors, such as medical and insurance, are still fragmented, and there is a need for better integration with e-commerce and tourism [15][16] - Hefei must also address the lag in industry standards and attract high-end talent to ensure sustainable growth in the pet economy [13][16] Future Directions - Hefei can focus on climbing the value chain by advancing in precision pet healthcare and smart equipment [17] - The city should aim to establish industry standards and enhance cross-regional collaboration to expand its market influence [17] - Creating pet-friendly spaces and improving public services can help position Hefei as a unique city that balances technology with a warm lifestyle [18]