Cat boom has expo organizer purring

Alysha Bibi

Excitement for cat lovers is through the roof as the three-day Cat Expo 2024 gets ready to take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next Friday.

That came as a recent survey shows that owners are spending an average of nearly HK$1,900 on cats each month - a 26 percent increase from last year.

From August 2 to 4, the expo will feature 200 exhibitors and 410 booths offering a plethora of exciting activities for cat enthusiasts.

The Exhibition Group, organizing the expo for a second consecutive year, has invited local and international cat enthusiasts and vendors, including those from the mainland, Macau, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. They will be showcasing a range of cat-themed art supplies, toys, and lifestyle items.

G eneral manager Shirley Chu Sut-ling anticipates a strong turnout, citing a rise in cat ownership.

"The monthly turnover in the cat market has reached HK$190 million and exceeds HK$2.2 billion annually," she said.

"With the increase in the number of cats per capita, market enthusiasm is expected to continue growing, especially in pet health sectors such as medical products and insurance."

According to the group's recent online survey of over 1,000 cat owners in Hong Kong, more than 80 percent expressed a preference for purchasing pet products locally due to their quality and convenience.

Nearly 90 percent of cat owners also saw an increase in expenditure over the past 12 months, with the latest average spending reaching HK$1,889 a month. They cited economic and medical care costs as contributing factors.

"Before, owners mainly cared just about food, but they now also care about other things, like if the [cat] food is organic, its ingredients, if the meat is fresh, as well as different types of supplements," Chu said. "People have really started spending more as they see cats as part of the family and are willing to buy quality products."

The poll also found that over 60 percent of respondents owned two or more cats and over 12 percent of cat owners had four or more - a 1-percent increase.

Following a successful debut last year that attracted 180,000 visitors, the organizers are optimistic about maintaining a similar level of interest this year .

Attendees can look forward to exciting perks and returns, including a chance to win a round-trip ticket for two to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, upon spending HK$250 with a single receipt using a Mastercard at specified booths.

The expo will also feature a "Cultural Creative Art Zone" that showcases cat-themed creative brands, as well as a "CFA Cat Breed Parade," which will bring together more than 100 cats from 20 breeds, allowing the audience to have close-up contact with them.

Entry will cost HK$30 for adults and is complimentary for those with senior citizen and disabled person cards, and children under one-meter tall.