Animal care services gained popularity in the 1990s, with the pioneer of this service in Indonesia being a cat lover who needed a place to care for his pet while he was away. By the mid-2000s, animal care services had become a trend in major cities, catering not only to cats but also to a variety of other animals such as dogs, birds, rabbits, hamsters, turtles, and snakes.
These animal care services experience peak periods during Eid al-Fitr, school holidays, Christmas, and New Year, coinciding with when owners and their families go on vacation. The duration of care can range from 3 to 7 days, and sometimes even up to several months.
To ensure the smooth operation of animal care services, several requirements must be met. Firstly, it is essential to have a large area of land. This is necessary not only for providing spacious cages but also to allow animals to engage in physical activities. A minimum land area of 3,000 to 5,000 square meters is recommended.
Dogs, for example, need at least 15 to 20 minutes of daily exercise in addition to their bedding and feeding. Secondly, trained staff are crucial in preventing animals from becoming stressed. Animals may be reluctant to eat when placed in a new environment, but a trained employee can handle this situation by comforting and stroking the stressed animal and encouraging it to eat.
Animal care services come with a fee. Fees for dogs vary based on size, with small breeds costing around IDR50,000 to IDR60,000 per head per day, medium breeds costing IDR65,000 to IDR75,000 per head per day, and large breeds costing IDR75,000 to IDR85,000 per head per day. Additional charges of IDR15,000 per head per day apply if an animal requires a refrigerated room.
Other animals, such as rabbits, cost approximately IDR20,000 to IDR25,000 per head per day, hamsters cost IDR10,000 to IDR15,000 per head per day, and cats cost IDR45,000 to IDR55,000 per head per day. In addition to the cost of feed, which can account for up to 35-30% of the total cost, animal care services offer various services to each animal. These services include health checks, bathing, playtime, two meals per day, and grooming after a week.
