MELAKA - As the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays approach, cat owners recognise the need for pet-sitting services in addition to festive preparations.
Cat sitting services typically involve professionals visiting the pet owner's home to care for their felines, clean litter boxes, provide food and water, and monitor the animal's well-being.
The costs typically range from RM300 to RM500, depending on how many days the felines are cared for. Many prefer having their cats cared for at home for added comfort.
Cat boarding facilities' rising costs and increased feline numbers have made pet sitting a more popular option for owners.
A Facebook survey of cat hotels offering boarding packages found that prices typically start at RM15 per day for one feline. The cost includes a standard-sized cage, air conditioning, fan, and cat litter.
Pet-sitting packages for one to three cats start at RM30 per visit, including litter box cleaning, feeding, and playtime. The service has become essential for cat owners due to pricing factors and the number of felines they own, especially when needing to leave them for an extended period.
Juliana Nazrin, 32, owns eight cats of various breeds. As her number of cats grew, she began using pet-sitting services three years ago.
"If I send my pets to a cat hotel, it's not worth the risk. I don't want to leave my beloved pets in an unfamiliar place, locked in cages, and mixed with other cats. I once had a pet contract a fungal infection after staying at a cat hotel."
"It's better for me to hire a cat sitter. I installed CCTV cameras for security - not just to monitor the sitter's work but also to check on my cats remotely," she said.
Samerah Husna Adam, 36, prefers sitters due to the limited availability of cat hotels, vaccination requirements, and refusal to take special-needs or sick cats.
"I have a special-needs cat. Many cat hotels do not accept him. The best alternative for me is to hire a pet sitter, as they can visit at scheduled times to closely monitor my cat's condition and can come at any time if needed," she said.
Part-time pet sitter Nurana Ismail, 30, said the demand for cat-sitting services had risen this Aidilfitri compared to last year.
"Most of my clients, both regular and new, prefer pet sitting services as they believe their cats receive better care, face lower stress, and are less exposed to diseases," she told Bernama.
Nurana charges from RM35 to RM70 per visit, depending on the number of cats, travel distance, and any special needs, like administering medication or providing additional care.
Having offered pet-sitting services for five years, she recognised that the current economic situation has led more pet owners to choose pet sitters. - BERNAMA