Pet hotels in demand as Easter holidays loom

Pet owners who are traveling in the upcoming Easter holidays are busy scouting for pet hotels, according to industry insiders who have seen a rush to shelter their furry friends.

The tourism industry has anticipated that the Easter holidays - from March 29 to April 1 - will witness yet another travel peak for Hongkongers following the Lunar New Year rush, as the Easter holiday and the Ching Ming Festival on April 4 are only two days apart. Taking leave on April 2, 3 and 5, will give locals up to 10 days of vacation bliss.

Chinese Pet Traders Association vice president Chan Mei-yee said she was optimistic that the market during Easter will be prosperous.

"The pet hotel market had already recovered to nearly 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the Lunar New Year while some hotels were fully booked," she said.

Kathy, Pet Villa's operations manager, said its pet home offers over 100 accommodations for cats and dogs.

She said many pet owners had called for reservations before the Lunar New Year holidays, and some of them had already reserved spots for their pets during the Easter break.

"There has been a surge in inquiries in recent weeks, averaging over 60 on weekdays and over a hundred per day on weekends and holidays," she said.

She has been busy arranging visits for pet owners to inspect the living environment.

Guests usually book accommodations for Easter, ranging from four to 10 days. Pricing depends on the size of the pet. Dogs generally require more space, with standard and larger luxury rooms available for between HK$450 and HK$850 a night.

According to Jessy, the manager of the Cat Hostel in Wan Chai, 70 percent of the rooms have already been reserved for Easter, and related inquiries have increased by 60 percent.

Three to four groups of people each day come to inspect the facilities during the weekend. Some also visited for a brief look-see at lunchtime on weekdays, she said.

She observed that in recent years, people have become accustomed to booking flight tickets online. Many people book pet-sitting facilities a week before departing after snagging discounted tickets.

She anticipates a similar situation this year. Due to the limited manpower in her hostel, she expects the next two weeks to be a peak period for inquiries and that she might be overwhelmed.

Emily Chow Mei-wah, deputy chief executive of OneDegree, a virtual insurer offering pet insurance, urges customers to buy pet insurance early, as it typically takes 28 days to three months for it to take effect.

She added that if a pet is injured while staying at a pet hotel, the medical insurance within the policy will provide coverage.

If pet owners are unable to settle on an accommodation before heading to their vacation, many now opt for pet sitters to come to their homes to help out, said Mary, the owner of a kennel.

Or they ask someone familiar to take care of their pets at home, she added.

adelyn.lau@singtaonewscorp.com