A three-dimensional felt bag pendant modeled on a kitten. [Photo provided by Hangzhou Pafu Technology to Tide News]

Feltque, a brand operated by Hangzhou Pafu Technology in Zhejiang province, is combining traditional wool felting techniques with personalized pet replicas, turning a centuries-old craft into a way for owners to preserve memories of their animal companions.

Feltque uses needle felting and wet felting to recreate pets from photographs and videos. Its products range from full-body sculptures and framed busts to miniature pendants, brooches, and relief portraits. Each piece is handmade to capture an animal's appearance, coat patterns, posture, and distinctive expression.

Founder Cai Qiuqiu drew inspiration from the loss of a beloved pet rabbit. After learning about wool felting, she commissioned a replica that gave her family a tangible way to remember the animal. She later partnered with artist Zhou Xiaoxian to develop the customized pet memorial business.

Wool felting, one of humanity's oldest fiber-processing techniques, dates back more than 8,000 years and is recognized as a form of national intangible cultural heritage in China. Needle felting uses repeated punctures to entangle wool fibers, while wet felting relies on moisture, friction, and pressure to bind them together.

Feltque's team of trained artists studies animal anatomy, proportions, colors, and expressions to achieve lifelike results. The brand has expanded into overseas markets, including Europe and North America, and established partnerships across the pet industry, from veterinary hospitals and photography studios to pet memorial service providers.

As China's pet economy grows, demand for personalized keepsakes is rising. Feltque has also expanded into natural-wool pet toys and customized wool-felt character products, bringing traditional craftsmanship into contemporary consumer markets.