Mr. Zhou's dog house is just one of many representatives of the "pet-sitting" industry, which is returning to normal with the reopening of China.

“Normally, for the Chinese New Year, people visit their family and friends, and generally cannot bring their dogs with them”, explains the one who is also an online influencer.

Initially, this half-million-dollar hotel was intended for the exclusive comfort of its own dog, a border collie named Sylar.

Before becoming a real business.

With its colorful walls, large garden and small video-monitored rooms, the address has become a popular place for Beijingers who want to leave their beloved pets in good hands and celebrate the New Year with peace of mind.

“And we have a swimming pool, laughs Zhou Tianxiao, for the dogs, being sent here is like going on vacation”.

Millions of Chinese will be reunited with their families in the coming days, for the first time since the start of the Covid pandemic in 2019.

A dog hotel worker feeds a dog, as pet daycare centers experience a surge in activity ahead of the Lunar New Year on January 20, 2023 in Beijing © WANG Zhao / AFP

Among them, thousands are customers of the Maoxiang "pet-sitting" platform, "L'Avenue des chats" in French.

And the company is picking up the slack.

Bookings for the New Year exceed those for the whole of 2022, its founder, Yan Dong, told AFP.

"People just didn't leave their homes" when the health situation was serious, she recalls.

Seven Sha, a 30-year-old Beijing cat-sitter, told AFP she plans to make 80 home visits during the festivities.

His schedule will be full.

"I have to work from early morning until late at night," she explains.

Family members

In 2022, nearly 100 million Chinese households had a pet, a figure that is increasing with the rapid development of the middle class.

Many owners are devoted masters.

Ms. Sha even remembers once when a client sent her a 1,000-word document explaining how to take care of her cat.

An employee of a dog hotel cleans the house ahead of the Lunar New Year, January 20, 2023 in Beijing © WANG Zhao / AFP

Many animal lovers are also willing to allocate substantial sums of money to the well-being of their companions.

According to a Shanghai media, a single night in a "pet-sitting" center can cost 1,000 yuan, or about 136 euros, much more than the average price of a hotel night for a human.

"Most customers see their cats as members of their family" and don't spare the expense, says Seven Sha.

Some even prefer their furry friends to their human relatives.

"Personally, I'd rather spend time with the dogs here than go home," confirmed Mei, an employee of Mr. Zhou's dog hotel.

Dogs rest at a dog hotel as the pet sitting industry sees a surge in activity ahead of the Lunar New Year on January 20, 2023 in Beijing © WANG Zhao / AFP

“Like most families, when we see each other for the first time during the holidays, it is very joyful. But over time, there can be some arguments”.

© 2023 AFP