Dogged persistence helps pet detectives locate missing animals

The unexpected disappearance of a furry friend can cause anxiety and lead to heartache. Yao Yuxin reports.

Li Yuanyuan's dog was missing. It was a little before 9 pm on March 14 when the Beijing mother stepped outside to get some potting soil for her flowers and the dog slipped away from her side in the darkness. After returning with the soil, Li casually closed the door, assuming that her furry companion had followed her back inside.

The 33-year-old cherishes the dog, named M Bean after the Chinese name for M&Ms. She brought the black Teddy Bear breed home from her husband's place nine years ago while they were still dating. It was just 4 months old. Since her husband died in January as a result of COVID-19, Li has regarded the dog as more than just a pet.

"She is the solace my husband left for me. Just like the significance our daughter holds in my life," said Li, who uses her husband's photo as her WeChat profile picture, while the background image on her WeChat moments is a wedding photo of them holding hands.

Over the next two days, Li devoted every moment outside of work and sleeping to searching for her beloved pet until midnight, only to return home empty-handed, with no trace of the female dog.

Having turned to the internet in search of ways to retrieve her lost pet, Li stumbled upon the profession of pet detectives. Approximately half an hour after receiving a call for help on March 17, pet detective Zhao Hui knocked on Li's door, to be greeted by her careworn features.

The 38-year-old became a pet detective for All Back Pet Search Technology Co in Beijing last year. "I enjoy intriguing and challenging work," said Zhao, who uses the name "Against the Wind" on his WeChat account.