The growing passion for pets among more and more Chinese people has give rise to a new career in China -- the pet nurse, who is professional to take care of pets.

Sources in Guangzhou said there were currently about 100 professional pet nurses in the city, a small figure compared with the market demand.

Statistics show that more than 30,000 families with pets in Guangzhou are seeking qualified pet nurses.

A Miss Wu in Guangzhou, who has just started her third job as a pet nurse, said she was now taking care of two dogs for a family.

Besides providing manicures and massages to the pets, Wu also trains the dogs. She works three days a week and is paid 1,300 yuan (US$160.9) per month.

The average monthly salary for most pet nurses is between 900 yuan and 1,000 yuan, and some can earn upwards of 1,500 yuan.

Sources from the China Animal Agriculture Association said there were 150 million pet dogs in China -- about one for every nine people. Beijing had more than 500,000 pet dogs in 2004.

Editor: Donald