When lawyer Cui Can recalled his first pet-related case, his tone turned reflective.
It was February this year, and the dispute involved a client who had entrusted two cats, a mother and her offspring, to a pet sitter found on the social media app Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. Just three days into the boarding period, both cats fell from a 19th floor and died.
"The emotional toll on the owner was immense. Those cats had been with him since they were kittens. He was devastated," Cui said. The case never made it to court. Instead, Cui helped negotiate a settlement worth a few thousand yuan, paid out in small monthly installments by the sitter, a recent university graduate who claimed financial hardship.
"In many pet-related disputes, litigation is impractical. The emotional and financial costs often outweigh the compensation," said Cui. "My role usually involves mediation to help parties reach an outcome that acknowledges the loss, not just in monetary terms."
Cui, 27, has been practicing law in Chengdu, Sichuan province, since 2020. After graduating in 2021, he worked at a firm for several years before going independent in 2023. Like many young lawyers, he initially handled a broad range of civil cases. But the intense workload began to take its toll. It was during a late night at his desk, accompanied only by his long-haired cat, Ultraman, that he had an epiphany.
"I was overworked, constantly stressed. Ultraman was there with me; quiet, comforting. That's when I started asking myself what I really wanted to do," he said. "Pets had always been part of my life. Why not focus on legal issues affecting them?"
Earlier this year, Cui decided to specialize in pet-related disputes — a niche few lawyers in China have entered. Since then, he has handled cases involving medical malpractice, sales fraud, custody battles, and wrongful death. He enjoys being called a pet lawyer.
In his Chengdu office, surrounded by legal texts and a photo of Ultraman, Cui said with determination, "We're building something meaningful, one case at a time."