Nhi, 29, with almost ten years of cat‑care experience, opened an “in‑home pet‑sitter” service in early March after she saw many travelers prefer leaving their cats at home rather than using stressful pet hotels.

Each visit lasts about an hour, costs VND80,000 (US$3.08) plus transport, and includes feeding, cleaning the litter, playing, grooming, checking health and sending photos and a short report to the owner.

Before any job, Nhi asks owners about the pet’s diet, medication, favourite hiding spots and the contact of their regular veterinary clinic, stressing that she is caring for a family member as well as a home.

The global pet‑sitting market is expanding fast. Grand View Research estimates it was worth $2.69 billion in 2024 and could grow to $5.14 billion by 2030.

In Vietnam, the Vietnam Veterinary Association predicts the country will have around 16 million pets by 2027, indicating a large potential client base for sitters.

A TGM Research online survey shows 45 % of pet owners consider their animals family members, and 55 % say they will spend more on their pets in the next three years.

Many owners switch to in‑home sitters because hotels can stress animals. For example, Quoc Thang, 25, stopped sending his cat to a hotel after the dog‑barking and unfamiliar surroundings made the cat lose its appetite; he now pays VND50,000 per hour for a sitter he can watch through his apartment’s cameras.

The sector still lacks professional standards. Le Tuyet Ngan, an office worker who works part‑time as a sitter, was surprised when a client’s pregnant cat gave birth while she was caring for it; the newborns were attacked by the tomcat, forcing Ngan to intervene. After the incident she only accepts cats over two months old, healthy, vaccinated, and refuses pregnant or seriously ill animals, while industry voices call for basic veterinary training for sitters.

Experts such as Tran Sinh, director of the HCMC Pet Service Training Academy, argue that love for animals is not enough; sitters need training to check mucous membranes, monitor breathing and examine feces, and the market would benefit from reputable agencies that certify workers and set clear legal contracts.