A dog-rental platform has sparked both curiosity and concern as China’s urban pet economy takes an unexpected turn. Launched on social media in March, the mini-programme known as “Wangbu,” which loosely translates to “dog walk,” enables residents in first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to rent dogs by the hour for walks. After owners create profiles for their pets, renters coordinate pickup and return details directly with them. Fees typically range from 10 to 60 yuan (US$1.5...