As the Lunar New Year approaches, while many dream of festive family reunions in their hometowns, an increasing number of young residents in Shenzhen are choosing to stay put — and are turning a seasonal challenge into a lucrative opportunity. For the city's pet owners facing the annual dilemma of “what to do with my furry friend,” a solution is emerging right next door: trusted carers offering in-home pet care.

Li Yue, 26, is among those capitalizing on the trend. This Spring Festival, instead of packing her suitcase, she is preparing her backpack with pet treats, disposable shoe covers, and disinfectant. A retail employee by day, Li has already secured eight bookings for at-home pet care over the holiday period.

“Last year was my first try, and it went well,” she says. “This year, I’m expecting to make around 10,000 yuan (US$1,440).” 

With formal boarding facilities often booked months in advance and holiday prices doubling, her service offers a practical and affordable alternative. 

Li charges between 70 and 150 yuan per visit, depending on distance and number of pets, visiting four to five households daily. “It’s tiring but rewarding — and the pets are much happier in their own environment,” she explains.

Li is far from alone. On social media, posts offering “holiday pet-sitting” begin to appear up to two months before the festivities. Many of these service providers are young locals and pet owners themselves, offering not only feeding and cleaning, but also video updates to reassure absent owners.

For Zhang Hao, a 29-year-old freelance designer, the work represents more than just extra income.

“It’s a kind of social experiment,” he reflects. Zhang has built a small community of pet-owning neighbors in his residential complex and regularly provides sitting and boarding services. “It’s not just about making money — it’s also about building trust and stronger neighborhood ties.” With nearly two weeks remaining before the holiday, he already has five bookings within his own community.

Demand for such services is particularly strong in China’s first-tier cities, which are home to roughly half of the country’s pet owners. According to a recent report jointly released by the China Pet Industry Association, the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association, and pet economy analysis platform Petdata.cn, China’s pet industry reached a value of over 300 billion yuan in 2023, with urban residents spending more than 300.2 billion yuan on their animals.

Growth shows no sign of slowing. Guangdong-based third-party analyst iiMedia Research projects the domestic pet market will expand to 1.15 trillion yuan by 2028.

Yet as the pet care sector grows rapidly, authorities are beginning to highlight the risks associated with these still-unregulated services. The nascent industry lacks official standards, leaving both pets and caregivers in a legal gray zone — a point of caution as more young people turn pet-sitting into a festive side hustle.