A young woman in Shanghai has sparked widespread debate online after revealing that she pays around 12,000 yuan, roughly Tk 2 lakh or $1,700, every month to enrol her six-month-old Samoyed in a specialised “dog kindergarten”.

The owner, who goes by the pseudonym Taotao and was born in the 1990s, said the decision came from her demanding work schedule, which leaves her with little time to properly care for and accompany her pet. Wanting to ensure the dog receives attention, training and social interaction, she opted for a premium package offered by a pet care facility.

The monthly fee covers a range of services, including personality assessments, behavioural training, daily care, social activities and even a dedicated “school bus” service that picks up and drops off the dog. Additional services such as meals are charged separately. The package also includes “parent-child” interaction sessions designed to strengthen the bond between owner and pet.

According to Taotao, the structured environment helps address common behavioural problems in dogs, such as excessive barking, jumping on people and poor toilet habits. Owners are also able to monitor their pets in real time through online systems.

The trend reflects the rapid expansion of China’s pet economy. Data from the 2026 China Pet Industry White Paper shows that urban pet-related spending reached 312.6 billion yuan in 2025 and is projected to surpass 405 billion yuan by 2028.

A founder of one such pet school in Shanghai, identified by the surname Chen, said demand for these services is growing quickly. Facilities often have waiting periods of up to three weeks. While they can accommodate 20 to 30 pets during quieter periods, numbers can exceed 100 during peak seasons like the Chinese New Year.

Costs vary widely across the sector. Basic daycare services in Shanghai can cost around 950 yuan per month, while mid-range options range between 3,000 and 6,000 yuan. High-end, customised programmes like Taotao’s, however, can exceed 10,000 yuan monthly.

The story has triggered a wave of reactions on Chinese social media, with many expressing disbelief at the level of spending. Some users questioned how much one must earn to afford such expenses, while others pointed out that many families would not spend that amount on a child’s education. Others shared similar experiences, noting that even hiring a dog walker for several thousand yuan a month once seemed extravagant.

The phenomenon highlights a growing cultural shift, where pets are increasingly treated as family members, sometimes with lifestyles that rival, or even surpass, those of humans.