More pet owners in big Vietnamese cities are hiring people to care for their animals at home. Linh Nhi, 29, is one of these pet-sitters in Ho Chi Minh City. She started her service in early March after noticing a problem. Many travelers wanted to leave their cats at home to avoid the stress of pet hotels. Each visit lasts about an hour and costs 80,000 dong, about three dollars, plus transport.
During a visit, Nhi removes old food, cleans the litter box, and plays with each cat. Afterward, she sends photos, videos, and a detailed report to the owner. Before accepting a job, she asks about the pet's food, medicine, and regular vet clinic. A training academy director says such services began appearing in big cities about a year ago. A research firm estimates that the global pet-sitting market could reach 5.14 billion dollars by 2030.