An 82-year-old man in southern China is offering his entire estate — including his apartment and life savings — to anyone who will care for his cherished cat after he passes away.
The man, known only by his surname Long, lives alone in Guangdong province. He has no children and lost his wife ten years ago. Since then, his closest companions have been a group of stray cats he took in during a rainy day. Only one cat remains: a feline named Xianba, who now means everything to him, according to The South China Morning Post.
Worried about what will happen to Xianba after he’s gone, Mr. Long is searching for a compassionate and trustworthy person willing to give her lifelong, unconditional care. In exchange, he is willing to leave behind everything he owns.
Speaking to Guangdong Radio and Television, Mr. Long said his only requirement is that the future caretaker “take good care” of Xianba.
Pets Over People: A Growing Trend in China
Mr. Long’s story reflects a broader shift in Chinese society. The country’s pet economy is booming — reaching approximately $42 billion in spending in 2024, a 7.5% jump from the year before, according to the Financial Times. Urban households are increasingly treating pets like family, with younger generations leading the way in investing in high-end pet food, grooming, healthcare, and even pet funerals.
Last year, a similar case made headlines in Shanghai, where an elderly woman left her entire $2.8 million fortune to her cats and dogs after her adult children repeatedly ignored her, even during illness. She explained that her pets offered her more love and emotional support than her own family ever had.
As pet ownership rises and traditional family structures evolve, stories like Mr. Long’s are becoming more common — and raising new questions about inheritance, companionship, and what it means to care for someone in their final years.
