Recently, several consumer complaints regarding "free pet adoption" have drawn widespread public attention. A Chengdu netizen, @送你一颗星星, reported to Sichuan that when adopting a cat from a pet adoption shop in a Chengdu shopping mall, they were induced to sign a "pet adoption contract." They are currently being charged 300 yuan per month, and terminating the contract would require a "6,000 yuan penalty." Is this truly "free adoption" or "paid adoption"? Are such economic contracts legal? Reporters conducted an investigation into these questions.
Public opinion on online social platforms
Free pet adoption sparks public outrage.
The "free pet adoption" offers on social media platforms have sparked public outrage. A search for keywords such as "free pet adoption" on online social media platforms yielded tens of thousands of results, with many posts and comments expressing that people had been scammed.
Through these posts, reporters discovered that so-called "free adoption" is often a scheme by businesses to lure consumers by posting information about free pet adoptions in public places or on social media platforms. After adopting a pet, consumers are guided by the business to sign a pet supply purchase agreement, stipulating that they must make a fixed monthly purchase of pet supplies at the store for 18-24 months. If the adopter wants to terminate the agreement, they must also pay a penalty that far exceeds the market price of the pet.
The reporter found numerous comments from netizens who reported not knowing how to handle such situations. Some netizens even formed WeChat groups to protect their rights, but they faced difficulties such as the difficulty in collecting evidence and the merchants' refusal to cooperate.
Reporters visited the site
So-called pet adoption is actually paid adoption.
Is this true? Reporters visited several "pet adoption" shops in the five districts of Chengdu. According to their observations, these "pet adoption" shops, as reported by netizens, are mostly located in high-traffic areas such as the basement levels of shopping malls and cinemas. These shops typically display multiple cats of different ages and breeds, including popular breeds such as Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and British Shorthairs.
Pets in the store can be purchased directly or adopted for free. However, the "free adoption" option requires linking your Alipay account to the merchant's mini-program and then purchasing pet supplies worth a certain amount from their online store each month for 18-24 months. For example, a Ragdoll cat might cost 2800 yuan directly, but by adopting it, you pay 299 yuan per month for 24 months, totaling 7176 yuan.
The shop owner told the reporter, "Our online store offers a variety of cat food brands. The monthly top-up amount can be used for purchases within the store, and any unused balance can be retained for three years. We inform consumers and sign a corresponding contract before they adopt a pet." The contract provided by the shop owner also clearly states that there are penalties ranging from several thousand yuan for breach of contract.
Reporters found that many pet stores advertised "adoption" in their promotional materials, and in conversations with the stores, they all claimed that it was "free adoption." The stores also emphasized that "you can take a cat home for free" and that "cat food and litter are things you need to buy anyway."
Among the mini-program stores offered by various merchants, the reporter found that some merchants sell branded cat food available on the market, while others only sell their own brands.
Lawyers and industry insiders: It's a commercial transaction.
Think rationally before making a final decision
Is this behavior legal? Is the signed contract reasonable? A reporter interviewed Zhang Peng, a lawyer at Sichuan Interxin Law Firm, who stated: "Pet adoption typically refers to transferring a pet from a shelter or rescue organization to a new family. Pet adoption can be short-term or long-term. Adopters usually do not need to pay adoption fees, but rather a sponsorship fee according to the adoption terms. This type of 'adoption' is actually an economic activity, which can be called paid adoption."
Zhang Peng explained that since it is an economic transaction, the adoption agreement is protected by law. The agreement clearly stipulates the adopter's "rights"—"to adopt a cat for free"—and "obligations"—"to pay a fixed monthly fee to purchase pet products from a designated online store within a certain period." Adopters should read and fully understand the entire agreement before signing, and make a rational decision. They should not make a hasty decision based solely on verbal promotions or the first part of the agreement.
Li Xing (pseudonym), who has been involved in animal protection and pet adoption for many years, told reporters that this type of "pet adoption" is a commercial activity, generally referred to as "adoption" in the industry, and is not pet adoption in the traditional sense. He stated that the public's understanding of pet adoption is mostly free, based on compassionate rescue. To avoid abuse and abandonment, some animal rescuers or organizations will also use financial means to ensure the animal's safety after arriving at its new home, "but it generally will not exceed 300 yuan."
Consumer Association Reminds Consumers to Beware of Consumer Traps
Be aware of the contract terms.
To help avoid these consumer traps, a reporter interviewed Peng Ou, director of the complaints department of the Sichuan Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Committee. She said that when adopting or sponsoring a pet, consumers should choose formal channels, consume rationally, and check the pet's quarantine certificate and vaccination record.
To avoid similar situations, Peng Ou suggests that consumers should sign a contract with the merchant when purchasing or accepting such services to clarify the responsibilities and obligations of both parties. If a service appears to be "free adoption" but is actually a distorted form of forced consumption that clearly exceeds reasonable fairness and justice, consumers should be aware of the contract terms.
At the same time, consumers should retain relevant receipts so that they can protect their rights in accordance with the law when encountering consumer disputes.
