In October 2026, JD Logistics and SF Express officially entered the specialized door-to-door live pet transport market in China. The companies launched their own products — "京宠达" (Jing Chong Da) from JD Logistics and "丰宠到家" (Feng Chong Dao Jia) from SF Express — with a focus on safety, control, and direct delivery without intermediaries.
"京宠达" launched on 1 June 2026 and already covers more than 40 cities. The service operates on a self-service basis: pets undergo veterinary inspection, and they are monitored online throughout the entire journey. Specialized "Pet Home" bases have been built in Shenyang and Anshan, from where animals are sent to major cities via a combined network of air and rail routes with next-day arrival.
SF Express launched "丰宠到家" in partnership with the pet industry of Zibo. The product covers both individual orders from owners and bulk transportation for breeders. The company plans to expand the service to packaging, veterinary support, and local pet services, creating a full-fledged ecosystem around their "clothing, food, housing, and movement."
Both companies have abandoned conventional courier networks. JD Logistics uses only its own drivers and special "pet nannies" — two people per delivery. This reduces the risks associated with overloading and reselling of orders, which are often encountered among small intermediaries.
Transporting live animals requires separate infrastructure: constant temperature, ventilation, temporary bases, and trained personnel. Conventional express networks are not suitable for this, so the companies are building their own chains from scratch.
For owners, this means the ability to send a pet from home to home without visiting airports or terminals. The animal receives individual accompaniment, while the owner gets real-time tracking and direct contact with the courier.
The market is growing along with the number of families acquiring pets. Previously, live animals were often transported through opaque channels with a high risk of stress and accidents. The new services offer a more controlled and regulated option.
However, serious challenges remain: high infrastructure costs, strict veterinary requirements, and the difficulty of determining liability in unforeseen situations. The companies emphasize the need for gradual development and compliance with all regulations.
In the long term, such services could change the approach to moving pets across the country, making it part of a full-fledged pet care industry.
