Maobuer is a cat foster care hotel in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province. Besides selling products related to cats, it also provides thoughtful cat foster care services. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

While the streets of Chinese cities begin to empty as people return home for family reunions during Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 5 this year, businesses providing accommodation for the pets left behind are working through their busiest time in East China's Xiamen city.

For many, securing suitable temporary homes for their pets – which are now often considered family members – is just as difficult as getting a train ticket during the year's biggest festival. It can be even more costly.

"Pets have become an integral part of the lives of many people. When their owners are on vacation, they want to make sure the animals are given the same treatment," said Qi Jing, who owns a pet hotel.

Almost all pet shops and pet hotels in Xiamen require a deposit of about 200 yuan ($27), and charges are higher than usual. "During Spring Festival, prices are 1.5 times higher," said one shop owner.

During the festival, cat and dog foster care fees in Xiamen typically range from 70 yuan to 150 yuan per day, in comparison with about 30 yuan to 100 yuan during Spring Festival three years ago. It's not rare to see fees exceeding 100 yuan near and during the festival.

One needs to pay 3,000 yuan per day for a luxury hotel room of 80 square meters in Xiamen during Spring Festival, which amounts to 35 yuan per square meter.

But for a place in a pet hotel, daily rent is far more than that. In terms of price per square meter, pet hotels charge more than most residential hotels.

Some local shops even provide luxury suites for pets. In a pet hotel in Xiamen, an eight square meter deluxe suite for cats is equipped with kitty litter, toys and even a camera that allows owners to check in on their pets at any time. The price is 350 yuan per day.

According to the National Statistics Bureau, China is on its way to becoming one of the largest pet markets in the world. From 2010 to 2016, the market grew by almost 50 percent annually on average.

A report on China's pet market, released by Epet.com, says China had more than 87 million pet cats and dogs by the end of 2017.