Pet Sitting and Boarding Services Surge in Ribeirão Preto During School Holidays
The upcoming school holidays are driving a significant increase in demand for pet sitting and boarding services in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. Fátima Guimarães, a pet sitter since 2018, experiences a surge in extra work as school breaks approach, caring for pets in their owners' homes. She notes that her responsibilities can extend up to 21 days, with longer stays becoming more common during July holidays. Her work involves not just feeding but also maintaining each dog's routine, including administering medication, waste cleanup, and walks, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the unconditional affection received from the animals. Data from the Brazilian Association of Pet Products Industry (Abinpet) indicates that demand for these services typically rises by approximately 60% during holiday periods compared to other months. At a pet hotel in Ribeirão Preto, around 20 dogs are cared for daily during this time. Maria Eduarda Rocha, a caregiver, states that many owners utilize these services for peace of mind while traveling, ensuring their pets are in a secure and supervised environment. The Abinpet survey also reveals a 22% growth in small businesses within the pet sector nationwide between 2023 and 2025, with pet sitting being a prominent service in this expansion. Veterinarian Bianca Shimizu advises that cats, in particular, are sensitive to environmental changes and often benefit more from in-home pet sitters. She stresses the importance of introducing the sitter to the cat's environment beforehand to ease the transition. Additionally, Shimizu highlights the necessity of ensuring pets are up-to-date on vaccinations, deworming, and tick medication before boarding or using pet sitting services, as stress can lead to health issues like diarrhea or vomiting.
The heightened demand for pet care services during school holidays reflects a growing societal trend of viewing pets as integral family members, warranting dedicated care even during owner absences. This economic activity, driven by consumer behavior, highlights the expansion of the pet services industry, creating new entrepreneurial opportunities. The veterinarian's advice underscores the importance of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, suggesting that service providers must adapt to the specific needs of different species and individual animals. The industry's growth, as indicated by Abinpet, points to a maturing market where specialized services and professionalization are becoming increasingly crucial for sustained success and consumer trust.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.