PetSmart Celebrates the Chinese New Year!

Did you know that PetSmart has two regional offices based in China, one in Hong Kong and one in Shanghai?

The Hong Kong office plays a vital role in helping support manufacturing in Southeast Asia regions, including India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The team of nine supports a full end-to-end supply chain across product development, production management, quality, and logistics. 

The Shanghai team is comprised of 37 associates, with similar teams in the Hong Kong office. They are responsible for developing and managing production and supply chains for goods shipping out of China. Because of this important partnership, we can bring innovation and offer quality goods at a competitive price and speed to pet parents.

2025 is the year of the snake, which symbolizes wisdom, flexibility, mystery, wealth and auspiciousness.

Recently, we spoke with two PetSmart associates—Gina, who works out of the PetSmart office in Hong Kong, and Shirley, who works out of the PetSmart office in Shanghai to discuss how the lunar new year is celebrated. Check out their insight below!

Q: What is the Lunar New Year?

Gina: Chinese New Year is a cultural celebration that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year that fall between January and February depending on the cycles of the moon. It’s a time of celebration, reflection and traditions. It's usually celebrated in China for 2 weeks; Hong Kong 1 week. But most take off longer to give time to travel back to their home cities in China and see family. The Lantern Festival marks the end of Lunar New Year celebrations.

Q: What are some activities people do during the Lunar New Year celebration?

Shirley: People celebrate with family, fireworks, dragon and lion dances, and parades happen throughout Hong Kong. Red envelopes are also given to children and younger family members with money in it as a symbol of good fortune. Homes, cities, and stores are decorated with red decorations, banners and lanterns to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune. Gina: In mainland China, people clean the house and decorate the home before the New Year’s Eve to sweep away the dust and dirt of the year, symbolizing making room for good luck and happiness. On New Year’s Eve, families will gather together to enjoy a feast and share stories together. They also tend to stay up late or even all night to welcome the arrival of new year. On New Year’s Day and following days, it’s common to visit relatives and friends. Some families pay respects to their ancestors by offering food and paper money as a way to show gratitude and seek blessings from ancestors. 

Q: What are some traditional foods to eat during Lunar New Year’s Eve?

Shirley: In mainland China, different regions may have different traditions. Common ones are:

• Dumplin( Jiaozi), which symbolizes wealth and prosperity

• Fish: the Chinese word for Fish “Yu” sounds like the word for surplus or abundance. Serving a whole fish during the reunion dinner embodies the cultural values such as family unity and abundance. Leaving some of the fish uneaten by end of the new year eve represents the wish for abundance to carry over into the new year.

• Nian Gao (New Year cake), the name “Nian Gao” has the same pronunciation as the Chinese word for "High,” symbolizing a higher income or position in the new year

• Tangyuan ( Sweet Rice Balls) symbolize family unity, togetherness and the hope for a sweet and harmonious year

• Spring Rolls; their golden color and cylindrical shape are reminiscent of gold bars, symbolizing wealth

Q: Are there any special ways pets participate in the lunar new year celebrations? 

Gina: In Hong Kong, people love to dress up their pets any time of the year and put them in strollers. Below are some photos from our associates who dressed up their cat and dog for the festivities.

Curious what your Chinese zodiac sign is? Find out below!