China's Pet-Sitting Services Booming After COVID Reopening

Pet-sitting services in China are seeing a resurgence in business as COVID restrictions ease and families reunite for the Lunar New Year holiday. Zhou Tianxiao, who runs a dog mansion in the suburbs of Beijing, initially built the half-million-dollar facility for his own border collie but turned it into a business after seeing its popularity. During the holiday, many families in China travel and are unable to bring their pets, leading to an increase in demand for pet-sitting services.

Pet ownership in China has skyrocketed as the middle class expands, with nearly 100 million pet-owning households in 2022. Owners are willing to spend large sums to ensure their pet's comfort and many consider their pets to be family members. This devotion is reflected in the high prices for pet-sitting establishments, with a single night sometimes costing over $147, which is more than the average price of a hotel room for a person.

Pet-sitting platforms, such as Maoxiang, have seen a huge increase in demand for the holiday season with more orders this year than for the entire year of last year. Cat sitter Seven Sha, based in Beijing, is expecting to make 80 home visits during the holiday's main seven days and said her workload is saturated every day. Clients often send detailed instructions on how to care for their pets, showing the level of devotion they have to their furry family members.

In conclusion, as COVID restrictions ease and families reunite for the Lunar New Year, pet-sitting services in China are seeing a return to former levels of bookings. Pet ownership in China has skyrocketed, with many owners willing to spend large sums to ensure their pet's comfort, reflecting the high regard in which they hold their pets.

South-China Morning Post Video :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-t3fzMhDwY