‘I love you, please don’t moult’: Boy in China begging pet cat not to shed hair or family will abandon it prompts criticism of parents after millions watch video

A boy filmed begging his pet cat not to shed hair or his parents will take it away has melted the hearts of millions in China. The video has led to widespread criticism of the boy’s parents, prompting his father to say he will do his best to persuade the family to keep the cat. — SCMP

A video of a young boy hugging his pet cat in tears as he begs it to stop moulting so his parents will not get rid of it has touched the hearts of millions on mainland Chinese social media.

The video, viewed nearly eight million times on Douyin alone, shows the boy hugging and patting the silver and white British shorthair as he pleads: “Xiaotugan (the cat’s name), please don’t shed hair again. I beg you!”