A man holds a cat during the Hong Kong Cat Expo 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Aug 25, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong's bustling economy is not only benefiting its human residents but also its feline inhabitants. The Hong Kong Cat Expo 2023, which opened on Friday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, is poised to become the city's premier cat-themed event and one of Asia's largest cat shows.

Over the three-day event, cat-lovers will be treated to a fun-filled carnival showcasing a wide array of cat-related supplies, cultural and creative products as well as art performances and interactive games.

Attendees, whether current or aspiring cat owners, can attend lectures on pre-adoption preparation, cat nutrition, care and grooming, as well as prevention of diseases such as feline influenza and arthritis.

The organizer, Exhibition Group, has seen a remarkable growth in Hong Kong's pet market, which can be attributed to the social distancing prompted by the three-year COVID-19 pandemic, a persistently low birth rate, and an aging population.

Exhibition Group's general manager, Shirley Chu, said that the average monthly cost of keeping a cat has risen to HK$1,500 ($191), up from HK$1,253 in 2022, creating a market size exceeding HK$150 million.

According to a poll conducted by the organizer, more than 40 percent of the 2,000 respondents surveyed earlier this month reported owning one cat. The proportion of respondents with five or more cats rose to 8 percent from less than 3 percent last year. Data from the Census and Statistics Department in 2019 revealed that 103,000 households, or 4 percent in the city, were home to 184,100 cats.

The expo also aims to draw attention to the issue of stray cats. Local charities, animal shelters and social workers, such as Paws Hero Education Hub, will deliver a lecture on Sunday, sharing insights into the relationship between the city's "cat residents" and the community. In addition, 10 percent of the profits from the expo's art hall will be donated to these compassionate groups. This trend was also reflected in the survey finding that only 7 percent of those who expressed an interest in owning a cat indicated a preference for purchasing one from a breeder store.

During the expo, cats, and only cats, are allowed to accompany human visitors, as long as they present their vaccination records and are leashed or kept in a cage, bag, or cart. China Daily's Andy Chong had the pleasure of meeting these furry companions, who hold a special place in their owners' lives, and now are the special subject of this occasion.

Lin Zhiyi contributed to the story