by Jiang Xiaowei
The 100th edition of Shanghai Adoption Day was recently held at MEGA IN CITY in Hongqiao Qianwan, bringing together pet adoption, animal welfare advocacy and community activities in one of Shanghai’s largest pet-friendly commercial spaces.
Centered on the theme “Adopt, Don’t Shop,” the event featured stray animal adoption services, pet health consultations, charity sales and interactive activities aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare awareness.
Jointly organized by the mall and the nonprofit platform Shanghai Adoption Day, the event was divided into dedicated adoption, charity sale and review areas, providing visitors with streamlined access to adoption services and animal welfare resources.
The event also featured appearances by Wang Keke, described as China’s first husky-assisted therapy dog, and social media-famous charity bichon frise Pata. Adoption story-sharing sessions and an award ceremony for a stray animal photography exhibition attracted large crowds throughout the day.
As a pet-friendly commercial complex in western Shanghai, MEGA IN CITY has continued expanding its pet-related facilities and programming in recent years. The mall has introduced themed events, brand partnerships and professional competitions while upgrading public spaces to accommodate both pet owners and general visitors.
Organizers said the project follows a “six-friendly” development concept designed to balance the needs of pet-owning families with those of other shoppers through dedicated circulation routes, zoning and service facilities.
Beyond individual events, the mall has also supported broader industry initiatives. It recently hosted the fourth Minhang District Pet Industry Vocational Skills Competition and partnered with large-scale pet expos to offer promotional benefits aimed at boosting local pet-related consumption.
MEGA IN CITY has also established partnerships with leading pet food brand Myfoodie and Ant Insurance’s pet insurance business to expand long-term pet welfare and consumer service programs.
To improve the experience for visitors traveling with pets, the mall has refined dining area classifications, clearly separating pet-friendly and non-pet zones. Additional upgrades are underway, including renovations to the Paw Paw Pet Park, optimized pet-access routes and updated wayfinding signage.
The mall also plans to introduce dedicated pet-friendly restrooms in mid-June as part of broader efforts to improve safety, hygiene and convenience for pet owners while maintaining comfort for all visitors.
Since May, the venue has hosted a series of pet-themed community events, including a stray animal photography exhibition, pet birthday parties and pet-owner yoga sessions. Upcoming June activities will focus on children and community engagement, with environmental markets, intangible cultural heritage workshops and pop-up entertainment events planned in collaboration with nearby schools.
