On May 26, 2025, a consumer in Zhengzhou City encountered a contentious adoption case involving Linglu Pet Store in Guancheng Hui District, advertised on the Xianyu platform. The incident highlights alleged predatory practices, including forced consumption and breed fraud, raising concerns about consumer rights in pet adoption transactions.
The Deceptive Adoption Agreement
Lured by claims of “free cat adoption,” the consumer visited the store but was pressured into signing a “pet adoption agreement” requiring 12 monthly payments of ¥300 via Alipay to the store’s private mini-program for cat food. The catch: the cat food sold through the platform was priced 40% higher than market rates, and refunds were explicitly denied. Worse, the contract stipulated that canceling the agreement would incur a ¥2,000 “breeding compensation” fee, effectively trapping the consumer in a costly, one-sided arrangement.
Breed Misrepresentation and Legal Violations
Shortly after bringing the cat home, the consumer discovered it was not a purebred British Shorthair (as advertised) but a mixed-breed cat. Genetic testing confirmed the discrepancy, leading the consumer to accuse the store of false advertising. Under Chinese consumer law, this constitutes a violation of the Right to Know (Article 8 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law), as consumers are entitled to truthful information about products or services.
The mandatory cat food purchases also involve tied sales and coercive consumption, prohibited under Article 9 of the law, which guarantees consumers’ freedom to choose goods and services without forced bundling. “The store used the emotional appeal of adoption to hide a predatory contract,” notes consumer rights lawyer Wang Li. “This is a classic bait-and-switch tactic.”
Pathways for Redress
The consumer has filed complaints with both the Zhengzhou Consumer Association and the local Market Regulation Bureau, demanding a full refund of prepaid cat food fees and compensation for emotional distress. Legal experts advise:
Negotiation: Request mediation to terminate the contract and recover overpaid fees.
Administrative Complaints: Allege violations of advertising laws (for breed fraud) and consumer rights (for tied sales).
Legal Action: Sue for damages under Article 55 of the Consumer Rights Law, which allows for triple compensation in cases of fraud.
Broader Concerns for Pet Adoption
This case sheds light on unregulated practices in China’s pet adoption market, where “free adoption” often masks hidden costs or contractual traps. Platforms like Xianyu have faced criticism for lax seller vetting, enabling unscrupulous businesses to exploit emotional vulnerabilities of would-be pet owners.
“Consumers must treat adoption contracts like any legal agreement—read every clause, question mandatory purchases, and insist on independent breed verification,” warns animal rights advocate Li Mei. “Adoption should be about compassion, not profit-driven exploitation.”
As of press time, Linglu Pet Store has declined to comment, and the case remains under investigation. The outcome could set a precedent for holding pet businesses accountable for deceptive practices, pushing for stricter oversight in an industry booming with demand but lacking standardized regulation.
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