As the Spring Festival holiday draws near, many pet owners are planning to return back to their hometowns to celebrate with their families. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for pet sitters in major Chinese cities.
Pet service providers have noted a significant increase in interest, attributing it to the high expenses linked to pet transportation or boarding, along with the emotional distress animals endure when taken away from their familiar surroundings.
To cater to the needs of Spring Festival travelers, Freshippo, a supermarket under the Alibaba Group, launched pet feeding and dog walking services in Shanghai on Jan 12. These services are tailored specifically for the upcoming holiday period.
The booking for services commenced on Jan 12 in Shanghai, with the actual services scheduled to run from Feb 6 to Feb 17, coinciding with the Spring Festival on Feb 10 this year.
Prior to the service initiation, Freshippo staff will communicate with pet owners to coordinate the key handover and discuss necessary arrangements, such as ensuring the availability of pet food and water in accessible locations.
The range of services includes provision of fresh food and water for pets, dog walking, and engaging with the animals, with the option for pet owners to monitor the process through video surveillance.
Most of the available service slots, priced at 98 yuan ($14) for a 30-minute session, have already been reserved, as per Freshippo.
According to the 2021 China Pet Industry white paper, the urban pet cat and dog population in China has exceeded 58 million and 54.29 million, respectively. Data from Euromonitor International indicates that China has surpassed the United States in 2018 to become the country with the largest number of pet cats and dogs.
During the Spring Festival holiday, numerous pet stores have experienced a surge in bookings and inquiries for pet care services.
Pet Emoji, a pet store chain in Shanghai, disclosed that it has been offering such services for approximately three years, with demand notably peaking during festive seasons. The standard charge for a 30-minute service within a 3-kilometer radius of the store is around 100 yuan.
Wu Rong, a manager at a Pet Emoji outlet in Changning district, mentioned that most customers availing these services are regular patrons who frequent the stores for pet grooming. The familiarity of the staff with the pets facilitates a smoother caregiving process at the owners’ residences.
Wu added that some pet owners, particularly women, prefer same-gender staff members to attend to their pets at home, a request that the store accommodates.
Lu Yiyi, who engaged Pet Emoji’s services for her cats during a business trip in November, expressed satisfaction with the service and intends to utilize it again over the Spring Festival holiday while she visits her hometown in Wuhan, Hubei province.
Recalling her previous experience, Lu praised the meticulous care provided by the worker, emphasizing the worker’s attentiveness, gentleness towards her cats, and thoroughness in maintaining cleanliness and security at her home.
Private pet caregivers promoting their services on social media platforms have also garnered positive feedback.
Li Shan, a resident of Shanghai, shared on Xiaohongshu her availability to care for pets left unattended within an hour’s metro ride in Shanghai. The post has attracted over 160 comments, predominantly from individuals seeking her services.
In her post, Li highlighted her expertise in handling cats and dogs, mentioning that she owns four cats.