Raya Pet Hotels Fully Booked Well Ahead of Festive Season
Pet Owners Scramble to Find Accommodation for Furry Friends
KUALA LUMPUR: During festive seasons in Malaysia, cat owners often send their four-legged companions to pet hotels to ensure their furkids receive proper care while they return to their hometowns.
Early Booking a Necessity
A recent survey by Bernama found that several social media users started searching for pet hotels as early as last year. “Raya is still far away, but I already have to book a cat hotel. Hmm, I haven’t even decided on my Raya outfit color yet!” one user wrote. Another lamented: “Oh my God, all the pet hotels are fully booked!”
Pet Hotel Owners Cope with Demand
According to Rohani Majid, the owner of Orios Cat Hotel in Kajang, Selangor, her facilities – which can accommodate up to 80 cats at a time – have been fully booked for Raya since December. The 47-year-old, who has been offering pet boarding services for three years, said her business offers wooden enclosures instead of metal cages. “But due to the high demand for the festive season and a long waitlist, we have introduced metal cages as an alternative. This way, the cats are still cared for in our pet hotel, just in a different type of enclosure. We have to think creatively to meet the high demand. Some customers even bring their own cages and ask us to look after their pets,” she shared.
Come Hari Raya, these cosy wooden enclosures at Orios Cat Hotel will be full of felines. (Rohani Majid pic)
Pet-Sitting Services Also in High Demand
Meanwhile, recognising the growing need for petcare, 47-year-old Baharim Abu Bakar offers a pet-sitting service where he visits his clients’ homes to feed, clean, and spend time with their furkids while their humans are away. Baharim, who has been in this business for eight years, said the demand for his services peaks during festive seasons, making it challenging for him to accommodate everyone.
Limitations and Prioritization
“Many people, especially my regular clients, have inquired about my house-to-house service during Raya. However, I will only open bookings during Ramadan to be fair and to organise my schedule efficiently as I focus solely on the Klang Valley during the festive season,” Baharim said. “I handle everything on my own without any assistance, so I can’t take on too many bookings. My maximum is 20 houses over five days of the festival. To ensure I provide the best service, I have to limit the areas I cover so I don’t get too tired,” he added.
Service Details
Baharim’s service charges start from RM50, and he does not impose a time limit on his visits. He provides pet owners with regular updates through video recordings sent via WhatsApp. “Some homes take me less than an hour if they only have one cat, while others require more time if they have several,” he added.
Conclusion
As Raya approaches, pet owners are left scrambling to find accommodation for their furry friends. With pet hotels fully booked, pet-sitting services like Baharim’s are in high demand. As the festive season approaches, it’s clear that petcare is a growing concern for many.
FAQs
* What is the ideal time to book a pet hotel for Raya?
+ It is recommended to book at least a month in advance to ensure availability.
* What are some alternative options for pet owners who cannot find a pet hotel?
+ Consider hiring a pet-sitting service or asking a trusted friend or family member to care for your pet.
* How much does Baharim’s pet-sitting service cost?
+ His service charges start from RM50, with no time limit on his visits.