By Amanda L
KUCHING, Feb 28: When Dorina Seli graduated with a Bachelor of Finance (Honours) from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in 2019, she did not expect her career path to revolve around feeding schedules, litter trays and daily photo updates to pet owners.
Yet several years on, the Lundu native operates a full-time pet-sitting service with her partner in Kota Samarahan, a venture that grew out of a period of unemployment and an idea sparked by social media.
Dorina initially took up pet-sitting on a part-time basis while still employed. However, after resigning from her job and remaining unemployed for several months, she began reassessing her options.
“During that time, I came across a TikTok video featuring a cat-sitting service by a creator known as ‘i’m_fai’. The content prompted me to consider whether a similar service could work locally,” she told DayakDaily today.
Encouraged by her partner, she designed a promotional poster and shared it in several Facebook groups. Enquiries began to come in soon after. The couple officially opened bookings in May 2025, timing their launch ahead of the Gawai festive period, with a focus on clients in Kota Samarahan, where they are based.
The idea was not entirely new to her. Growing up in Lundu, Dorina was accustomed to caring for animals at home. Her mother keeps more than 10 cats, and during her time away from work, Dorina helped with feeding and cleaning. When the family travelled, a neighbour would step in to look after the cats in exchange for a small token of appreciation.
“That was when I realised pet sitting can be a side income because it involves time and energy to go to someone’s house and care for their pets.
“What began as informal assistance gradually evolved into a structured service with defined tasks and rates,” she said.
On a typical day, Dorina starts by tending to her own pets, three cats and two kittens she brought with her when she moved from Lundu to Kota Samarahan. Only after feeding them and cleaning their litter boxes does she begin her scheduled visits to clients’ homes.
Work intensity varies throughout the year. Demand increases significantly during festive and holiday periods. Over Christmas, for example, the couple began visits before 7am and sometimes finished as late as 10pm to accommodate back-to-back bookings.
In a typical month, they handle more than 10 clients, including repeat customers. While most assignments involve cats and dogs, their experience has expanded to include fish, tortoises, rabbits, hamsters and even a bearded dragon.
Their services are limited to home visits. Standard duties include cleaning litter areas, sweeping and mopping designated spaces, refilling food and water, and providing photo and video updates to owners.
Additional services are available upon request, such as deep cleaning cages and litter trays, administering medication and purchasing pet supplies on behalf of clients.
Rates start from RM25 per visit for one to three cats or one to two dogs, depending on the number of pets. Dorina said prices may be reviewed if demand continues to grow, although affordability remains a priority.
“We still want to provide worthwhile and affordable service,” she said.
Beyond daily tasks, building trust has become central to sustaining the business. Dorina noted that many pet owners conduct background checks on sitters through social media before engaging their services. To address this, she and her partner regularly share videos and photographs of their visits to provide transparency.
They also consult owners beforehand about specific precautions, feeding routines or behavioural traits to ensure each pet’s safety.
Some assignments have stood out for their complexity. One involved caring for four corgis that required three visits a day. Morning and evening sessions were dedicated to outdoor relief, while noon visits involved preparing and cooking their lunch. The dogs, trained from a young age, were rewarded with treats by their owners after completing their routines.
Other cases have tested their stamina. Homes with more than 10 cats can require up to two hours per visit, occasionally affecting subsequent appointments. In urgent situations, her partner, who works full-time at a private company, takes leave to ensure bookings are fulfilled.
Despite the physical demands and irregular hours, Dorina describes the emotional rewards as significant.
“Every time I open the door and see them waiting and running towards me, it makes my heart happy,” she said.
At the same time, she emphasised that pet sitting carries responsibilities beyond feeding and cleaning.
“We are not just feeding them. We are responsible for a living being’s safety and protecting someone’s home and trust,” she said.
Unlike conventional office employment, the business offers no fixed hours or guaranteed monthly income. The couple manage scheduling, client communications, marketing and content creation on their own, while balancing other sources of income.
“We become the boss and the employee at the same time,” she said.
What began as a temporary solution during unemployment has since developed into a steady enterprise built on reliability and word of mouth. For Dorina, success is measured less by revenue and more by repeat clients who continue to entrust her with their homes and pets. — DayakDaily
