Choosing a career based on a love for pets.

Those"Upper class" darling

Visiting a pet "spa" on a sweltering summer afternoon at the end of June, I was quite surprised by the number of staff and "customers" there. Inside the clean, air-conditioned room, about 20 square meters...²Eight veterinary staff members were diligently grooming their four fluffy, well-fed "guests." On average, each special "guest" was served by two people: one holding and restraining them, and the other performing tasks such as nail trimming, fur grooming, and detangling. All procedures involved the use of specialized equipment in an elaborate manner. The spa staff paid close attention to every detail, meticulously grooming each paw, brushing every strand of fur, and examining every aspect of their "clients." A common trait among the staff was their gentleness and meticulousness in every action. Perhaps that's why the four-legged "guests" seemed very satisfied; there was absolutely no barking or whining in the room as I had imagined.

Pet grooming is a service that is becoming increasingly popular. Photo: Diep Thanh

To the right of the spa is a waiting area where about 10 more dogs are quietly enjoying the cool, peaceful atmosphere in their cages while waiting for their turn to get a grooming treatment. Finally, there's a smaller bathroom, just big enough to fit a stainless steel bathtub and a drying rack. (Pham Van Dat - employee)veterinaryWhile bathing a purebred brown Poodle, the owner said, "Most of the pets who come here are already used to the service and are very cooperative. However, because cats are naturally afraid of water, bathing them, especially kittens, is more difficult and requires extreme gentleness and calmness. In cases where it's too difficult, we have to use a bathing cage to keep them in place." After being bathed and groomed, the dogs return to their families with a new, clean, fragrant appearance, fluffy fur, and neatly trimmed grooming.

Introducing the services offered at pet spas, veterinarian Tran Dinh Tung said: “The most popular service that pet owners often choose is bathing and grooming. The bathing service costs 60,000 VND per session, while the grooming combo costs 200,000-300,000 VND per session, including thorough bathing, rinsing, paw shaving, nail trimming, nail filing, ear hair removal, and ear cleaning. Typically, dogs and cats are bathed every 4-6 days and groomed every 2-4 months, depending on needs. In large cities like Hanoi and Saigon, the service price can be double. In addition, many customers may request other services such as fur dyeing, nail filing, etc., if desired.”

These dogs are "stylish" with their fluffy, vibrant coats. Photo: Provided by the owner.

Besides spa services, the cost of food, check-ups, and vaccinations for these pets is also very expensive, ranging from mid-range to high-end prices.

Ms. Le Thu Ha, owner of a pet food and supplies store in Vinh City, shared: “Many customers are willing to spend 3-5 million VND per month on pet food products, including kibble, pate, treats… Not to mention accompanying grooming products such as backpacks, toys, leashes, cat litter, shampoo, essential oils for fur… which also cost a considerable amount. Vaccination and medical examination services are also invested in and prioritized by pet owners.”

Pet products come in a wide variety of designs and cater to diverse needs. Photo: Diep Thanh

Previously, many businesses combined multiple services in one location, but now, to cater to customer preferences, establishments separate spa and medical treatment services. "Before, we also combined medical examinations, treatments, spa services, and accommodation in one store. But that led to a high risk of contracting respiratory, digestive, and fungal infections, so now we focus only on spa services and sales. Even stores wanting to offer both services have to split them into different locations so customers feel safe using them," Ms. Ha shared.

With advancements in science and increasing customer demand, pet healthcare services are constantly being upgraded. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

Mr. Tran Dinh Tung said that customers who own pets don't mind spending money on healthcare services, as long as they are reputable and high-quality. "Common illnesses in dogs and cats are usually related to the respiratory and digestive systems. In addition, there are many cases of injuries such as cesarean sections, bulging eyes, protruding intestines, broken bones… due to accidents or fights. Inpatient treatment costs at the clinic range from 150,000 to 250,000 VND per day and night, not including medication. The most expensive procedure is probably intramedullary nailing for broken bones, costing up to 8 million VND per case."

Opportunities for growth stemming from a love of animals.

The diversity of services and pricing indicates significant growth potential for this service. Explaining the strong growth of this service, Mr. Tran Dinh Tung said: “Recently, the target customer base has been increasing among young people and middle-aged individuals. Young people are rewarded or given pets by their parents to limit their exposure to technology, cultivate emotional intelligence, and develop caregiving skills… Older people in single-parent families, whose children work far away, also choose to keep pets for companionship.”

Pet caregivers must get used to scarred hands and the risk of contracting fungal infections from dogs and cats. Photo: Diep Thanh

Customers who seek pet spa and health monitoring services are often those who consider their pets as family members and are willing to spend money on appropriate services. “Customers may come from different backgrounds and provinces, but they all share the same love for animals. I once met a customer dressed very simply who traveled from Con Cuong district to Vinh City, carrying a dog in a sack of rice. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, she and her husband and dog had returned home from the South. When she learned her dog had to stay for inpatient treatment, she quit her job and slept at the clinic for those days, on a folding chair next to its cage, because: 'I don't want it to feel abandoned,'” Tùng recounted.

Or consider the story of veterinarian Le Thu Ha, who, along with a client, knocked on dozens of pharmacies in the middle of the night to find medical supplies for a cesarean section. The mother and puppies were saved, and the family considers Dr. Ha a great benefactor. “To do this job, besides professional knowledge and skills, love for animals is indispensable. Only with love for animals can you empathize and share with clients, accept the possibility of being scratched or bitten by cats or dogs, or even contracting fungal infections from them, and be willing to clean and sanitize them daily…” – Dr. Ha shared.

Pet care is a job with high growth potential in large cities. Photo: Diep Thanh.

In addition to the professional knowledge learned in school, pet grooming service providers must constantly strive to improve their skills and update their technology and techniques. Investing 20 million VND in a two-month pet spa training course, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen shared: “Caring for dogs and cats is like caring for children. There will be times when they are uncooperative, mischievous, or irritable, and you need to be patient, stand around all day, work all night, calmly get used to them, carefully perform each task, and listen to the customers… It requires more meticulousness, but compared to…”Caring for livestock and poultry"But pet care work gives me a relatively high income and the opportunity to live and work in central areas."