Cat Dies After Grooming at Pet Shop, Owner Receives 4,000 Yuan Compensation

Reprinted from: Yangtze Evening Post

Ordering through an online shopping platform, having a favorite cat sent to a pet shop for grooming and care services, only to be told the cat had died, and then both parties arguing over compensation, has caused Wuxi consumer Shen to feel very upset.

Screenshot of the relevant order page

On December 3, 2024, Wuxi resident Shen placed an order on Meituan platform for the “Cat Full Body Grooming and Davis Deep Wash / (Long-haired over 8 jin plus 30)” service at A Pet Shop, paying 56 yuan. He then took his long-haired golden tabby cat to the shop for grooming and washing. Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, Shen received a call from the pet shop informing him that the cat had died. After retrieving the cat’s body, he had it cremated. When Shen requested compensation from the pet shop for his loss, they could not reach an agreement, so Shen finally decided to sue the case to Liangxi Court in Wuxi.

Regarding the cause of the cat’s death, the pet shop operator Cao Lei stated that she was not at the shop at the time of the incident; the manager handled the matter. The staff completed the grooming, placed the cat in an airline carrier, and took it to the reception area before going to handle other affairs. Later, during a routine check, they found the cat had died. The manager attempted emergency rescue but the cat had no breathing, so they contacted Shen to inform him. Shen denied receiving any notification about abnormal conditions of the cat during grooming. It was also found that the shop’s business scope includes pet sales, pet services (excluding veterinary diagnosis and treatment), wholesale and retail of pet food and supplies. Surveillance footage at the time showed the cat struggling violently multiple times during grooming, but the pet shop failed to provide evidence that they had promptly notified Shen of these abnormal behaviors.

Liangxi Court held that the service contract between Shen and the pet shop was legal and valid, and both parties should fulfill their obligations as agreed. Although the cat was not subjected to an autopsy and the exact cause of death could not be determined, pet service providers should, upon noticing signs of resistance or discomfort, suspend services in time, soothe the pet, observe the situation, or seek the owner’s opinion before deciding whether to continue.

In this case, the pet shop failed to prove that they had promptly notified Shen or taken proper service measures upon discovering the abnormal behavior of the cat. They did not fulfill their duty of care and thus were liable for breach of contract and compensation for damages. Regarding the amount of damages, the court referred to the purchase price of the cat, the market value of similar breeds, and the actual breeding situation, ultimately ruling that the pet shop should compensate Shen 4,000 yuan for direct property loss.

Li Qiummeng, assistant judge at Liangxi Court, reminded that in pet service contracts, operators have the responsibility to ensure pet safety and exercise reasonable care. If abnormal reactions occur during service, operators should take timely and effective measures and notify the pet owner, which is a necessary requirement based on the principles of good faith and honesty in contracts.

Meanwhile, consumers receiving pet services should keep records of service orders and communication records as evidence. If their pets are harmed, they can legally claim rights from the operator. Operators should also standardize service procedures, strengthen staff management, closely monitor the pet’s condition during service, and fulfill notification and proper handling obligations in a timely manner to avoid such disputes.

Yangtze Evening Post / Ziniu News Reporter Zhang Jianbo

Proofreading: Tao Shanggong