Fair gives pets a chance to find the other half

Pet owners are flocking to the 2012 Shanghai Pet Fair in hopes of finding a partner for their animals.

With photos of cute pets posted on a huge whiteboard, this year's fair, which began on Friday and continues through Sunday, has been turned into a popular matchmaking hunt.

Two instant cameras were offered at the fair, so owners could take pictures of their pets and post them on the whiteboard. One of the advertisements was for a 2-year-old male Bichon Frise named Tian Tian. A note written next to his photo said that Tian Tian has three doghouses and has been looking for a considerate girlfriend for a while.

"The fair is not only a matchmaking place but also a platform for the potential pet club - there are many owners of rare pets who're looking for people raising the same kinds of dogs or cats to exchange experience", said Xiong Qianfen, the fair's organizer.

Yu Fan, who owns a small pet shop in Shanghai, said she attends the pet fair every year and adores this year's new attraction.

"I took a photo with my teacup poodle and left the picture on the wall," said the 27-year-old woman, who is also looking for a life partner. "I wish to find someone for myself as well, who shall love dogs."

High property prices and the rising cost of having a pet in many large Chinese cities didn't prevent pet lovers from coming to the fair.

One out of 15 Chinese people in big cities owns a pet. The average cost is 500 yuan ($74) a month, according to Zheng Qiwei, a pet business owner.

"There is great potential in the domestic pet market because pet owners are willing to spend on their pets," Zheng said.

His pet business includes pet shampoo, treats and snacks - products that are all readily available at supermarkets such as Carrefour.

"In 1996, pet owners had no idea what a cat or a dog should eat, and many of them were fed with leftovers. But that has changed," Zheng said.