Shenzhen Metro promotes stray animal adoption

The Shopping Park Station in Futian District has recently welcomed three new feline stars: Penpen, Xingxing and Xiaotudou.

Once homeless, these cats are now the faces of a viral public service campaign that first gained traction at the bustling Jing’an Temple Station in eastern China's Shanghai. Centered on the powerful tagline, “Adoption makes stray animals adorable,” the initiative has now made its way to Shenzhen.

 "Before-and-after" portraits of Penpen are feature at The Shopping Park Station. File photo

The advertisements feature striking "before-and-after" portraits of the cats that invite commuters to reflect on the emotional bond between humans and animals. With bright eyes and healthy coats, the trio serves as living proof of how vibrant and affectionate rescued animals become once they are provided with stability and care.

The campaign has already made an impact on local commuters, many of whom pause to scan QR codes linked to the cats’ rescue stories. “I adopted a cat myself,” said Ms. Chen, a local resident. “I know firsthand how rescued animals are truly ‘reborn’ once they experience the warmth of a loving family.”

According to local news media reports, the campaign is spearheaded by a pet food company that launched its stray cat rescue program last September. The team meticulously documents the personalities, habits, and recovery journeys of rescued animals to better facilitate their transition into "forever homes."

The Metro initiative follows the success of “Through Their Eyes,” a photography exhibition held in Shenzhen this May. That event marked the city's first major showcase dedicated to capturing the lives of stray cats and dogs through a lens of compassion, further fueling the city's growing advocacy for animal welfare.