After the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak in China was linked to the consumption of wildlife meat, Chinese officials banned the trade and consumption of wild animals. The city of Shenzhen went a step further, becoming the first Chinese city to also ban the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat effective May 1st, 2020. 

Shenzhen officials say that "Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals, and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries". Though fewer people are consuming cats and dogs today, the majority of Chinese citizens have never done so. Humane Society International and several other animal rights groups praised the move, saying that millions of cats and dogs will no longer be killed for their meat.