China has been gripped with a new craze: Consumers buy a small box with an unknown present inside, normally, a collectible figurine and the prizes were part of a collectible series. This has turned into a big business. However, some operators are exploiting this business to offer surprise pets illegally delivered to consumers in small, claustrophobic boxes.
What Happened : Animal rights group Love Home filmed a raid on May 3 in the central Chinese city of Chengdu, during which it uncovered 156 boxes of months’ old puppies and kittens, some of which were dead, having been confined to completely taped up boxes where they had starved and suffocated. In one box, barely 30 centimeters wide (12 inches), three puppies were wedged together side-by-side, motionless. The Context : The mystery box craze has grown to include expensive goods, including smartphones watches, and sunglasses. Major international brands including Starbucks, Sephora, and Converse have created their own mystery boxes for Chinese consumers. .On Chinese social media, there is a new catchphrase: “Everything can be put inside a mystery box. However, on some sites, this catchphrase is being taken a step too far. For example, on Pinduoduo, one of the largest online shopping platforms in China, one listing seen by CNN Business offered a “fresh, little cute” mystery box, which will contain a “random” dog for 599 yuan ($92). The picture attached to the advertisement is of a happy, healthy long-haired chihuahua.
The Response: The illegal capture and transport of living animals has scandalized many people who have expressed their shock and disappointment via Twitter.
More disgusting animal treatment brought to you by Mainland China!https://t.co/jTbMKgtcVr
— jimbosupremo (@jimbosupremo) May 20, 2021