Pampering pets

The cost of hiring a pet detective is not cheap, ranging from a few thousand to more than 10,000 yuan depending on the area, but owners still want to find their pets at all costs. Liu said some owners are not well off but their pets mean a significant amount to them.

"Some people have been through a lot in their lives and their pets have accompanied them the whole time. To these people, their pets are a kind of spiritual support so they are willing to pay any money to find the animals," he said.

Liu has traveled to more than 20 cities across the country, searched for nearly 3,000 pets and recovered more than 1,000. Besides cats and dogs, Liu has also looked for birds, lizards, hamsters, hedgehogs and turtles.

During his searches Liu has also found and rescued some stray dogs and cats. Liu plans to find a larger site to take in more strays and start a pet day care and boarding business.

Liu now has a team of 15 people. The number of people who want to engage in this business is also rising, and for new members, Liu trains them how to use relevant equipment and in basic knowledge about pets.

"What I require from these people most importantly is compassion and a sense of responsibility, and then a certain level of thinking ability, to be able to analyze and have logic," he added.

"It is not a pet that we're looking for, but a family member. That is the greatest value of being a pet detective."