學一技之長報親恩 販毒女獄中勤學寵物美容
於不自由的牢房內度過漫漫歲月，不禁令在囚者質疑自己的價值何在？阿欣(化名)年少時因結識了有毒癮的男朋友，不惜以身犯險替男友販毒，當年十多歲的她因販毒首度判囚，惟出獄後仍執迷不悟，終再次犯事被捕，被處以九年多的刑期。服刑期間，阿欣痛定思痛，決定報讀寵物美容課程，盼出獄後憑一技之長養活自己，以行動報答對自己不離不棄的母親。 現年三十多歲的阿欣面容清秀，一雙巧手替狗隻梳毛、穿衣時顯得小心翼翼；「以前對將來無期望，因為無技能。」略顯靦腆的阿欣輕聲說道，首次入獄年僅十九歲，不知天高地厚的她出獄後竟「重操故業」，終在廿多歲時再因販毒被判囚九年多，「初初入嚟到現在，媽咪都不辭勞苦入嚟探我。」 母親的愛令阿欣明白到並非孤身走我路，看似遙遙無期的牢獄生涯令她倍感迷茫，「當初好掙扎，覺得就嚟三十幾歲，要重新嚟過好難!」在社工支持下，阿欣在服刑期間修讀寵物美容職業訓練課程，盼能自力更生，「想用行動感謝媽咪嘅愛，想佢知我係有心做，亦都有能力照顧佢。」 更生人士最擔心自己的過去成為人生污點，不被社會接納。其中一位報名成為「愛心僱主」兼寵物美容理論課程導師之一的陳進思(Diana)認為，社會對寵物美容師的需求與日俱增，在囚人士修畢課程即獲認可資格，能應付市場需求。初任導師時，Diana曾擔心學員「唔聽話」，結果喜出望外，「佢哋(學員)好有紀律，上堂非常積極答問題，甚至比出面嘅學員更留心上堂。」 Diana透露，行內有僱主會優先聘用修畢課程的更生人士，「到目前為止，請咗兩至三個學員喺我度長做，有好多學員喺朋友鋪頭度幫手甚至係自僱。」人總會犯錯，也應有改過自新的機會，更生人士也不例外。
資料來源: On CC 17/02/2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJgVa17zSYY&feature=youtu.be
毛城城 Mo City 寵物保姆介紹
【毛城城 Mo City】
資料來源: 毛城城 Mo City 13/12/2019 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3209713279044662&id=1385524588130216
TVB 東張西望 寵物救護車介紹
【TVB 東張西望】
資料來源: TVB 東張西望 9/06/2019
女囚犯學寵物美容 盼出獄展新生
資料來源：On cc 東網
懲教署三年前開辦寵物美容課程
【Now新聞台】不少港人喜歡為寵物扮靚，懲教署三年前開始為在囚人士提供寵物美容課程，希望他們獲釋後能夠更容易再投入職場。
幫小狗扮得如此漂亮的並非坊間的寵物美容師，而是一群羅湖懲教所修讀寵物美容及店務助理證書課程的在囚人士。
懲教署自2015年開辦課程，幫助在囚人士學得一技之長，在140多個小時的課程便可成為專業的寵物美容師。
32歲的阿欣（化名）先後4次因吸食危險藥物被判囚，在2013年更因販運危險藥物被重判9年監禁。即使如此，阿欣的母親仍對她不離不棄，令阿欣決心改變。
在囚人士要重獲新生亦需要僱主給予機會。本身開設寵物美容店的陳進思曾經都在這裡教過，發覺學員有耐心及刻苦，決定聘請更生人士。
課程至今共有98位畢業生，部分人投身寵物美容行業，亦有人轉任寵物診所護士。
在寵物美容課程中，除了有愛心僱主借出漂亮的狗隻予學員訓練外，亦有一半來自狗場，等待領養的狗隻。學員除了可以訓練技巧外，亦可以為他們裝扮，尋找一個喜歡牠們的主人。
資料來源: Now 新聞 17/02/2018
90後大學生創業當寵物保姆 上門收費照顧毛孩【有片】
不少人愛養寵物，寵物服務需求有增無減，兩位90後瞄準寵物市場，結合興趣及事業，化身寵物保姆上門照料毛孩。創辦人表示，客人要求暫託服務，不只因旅行或外出公幹，有不少上班族因無暇定時照顧，需要寵物保姆幫忙。創業1年多，團隊由2人增至10人，未來更計劃加入上門犬隻訓練服務，協助主人在家為狗隻進行行為訓練。
23歲的周樂盈（Angela）及26歲的岑家柱（Sam），分別畢業於理大及浸大工商管理，身形纖瘦的Angela為了不傷害動物，自小三開始茹素，笑言是「在肉食家庭中，唯一素食者」。她在學期間，當過寵物美容師、領犬員等，她坦言：「本身沒有想過創業，畢業後打算找跟寵物相關的工作」。反而「貓奴」Sam則有一夥創業心，眼見寵物市場很大，希望將興趣及事業結合。Angela家中有一貓一狗，本身也是主人的她稱，當寵物生病時，主人若要外出，最不放心放於寵物酒店，上門照顧服務成為出路。
Pet Sitting Diary（香港專業寵物保姆）在2016年底成立，他們沒有開設門市，平日在家工作，創業成本大降至數千元。為提高專業性，Angela考獲註冊專業寵物保姆資格，考核包括幫貓咪打皮下水、助狗隻刷牙等，公司亦獲Professional United Pet Sitters、Pet Sitters International等機構的會員資格。
身為寵物保姆，平日工作照顧毛孩日常生活，包括餵食、清潔、散步等，服務按時數收費，一般小動物（如雀鳥）照顧，半小時收費160元起，帶狗散步每小時220元起，過夜寵物留宿照顧收費600元起。
半小時收160元起
他們先由鄰居、朋友開始提供服務，過程不斷完善服務，例如事前跟主人見面，了解寵物的特性、照顧技巧及需要的照顧工作；提供攝影機租借服務，讓主人看到他們的工作情況；每次拍下照片，反映寵物狀態、大小便情況，亦跟提供上門診療的獸醫合作，若遇上寵物身體有問題，可求醫協助。
Sam指出，不但主人去旅行需要找寵物託管，有些工作忙碌的主人亦找他們幫手，例如平日帶狗隻外出大小便、又或定時幫貓咪打皮下水，這些常客已佔客源3成。
在照顧過程中，他們發現不少主人溺愛小狗，不懂跟小狗建立關係，以致未獲牠的尊重：「例如行街時狗會搶繩，行得快過主人，甚至主導行路方向。」因此，二人正計劃增加上門一對一狗隻訓練服務。
寵物保姆團隊由2人增至10人，公司現時主要靠網上廣告及口碑宣傳。Angela透露，旺季時每月接到30至40宗生意，每月盈利達5位數字。雖然所賺不算多，但二人笑言可保留自由度：「有時想賺多點，便接多點工作，想休息的話便減一點！」
Pet Sitting Diary接觸到需要照顧的寵物，大多數是貓、狗，但Sam及Angela直言，曾有客人要求照顧另類寵物，如蜥蜴、飛鼠等，除了向主人查問照料細節，也要「做功課」上網找相關資料，甚至向獸醫請教照顧知識。
Sam指出，他曾幫客人照顧貓仔，後來對方要求他照顧多一隻蜥蜴，由於他從未照顧過蜥蜴，他除了向主人請教照顧細節外，亦會上網尋找相關資料。
貓咪常嘔吐 或腎臟有事
事實上，主人照顧動物時，可能忽略了寵物出現病徵。Sam舉例指，如有貓咪經常嘔吐，可能反映腎臟有事；有時寵物突然不太活躍，主人可能以為天熱有關，但亦有可能是患病徵兆：「始終我們照顧的時間較短，通常告知主人情況後，由他們決定是否需要看醫生。」
漁農自然護理署去年發表「香港獸醫專業發展的顧問研究報告」，推算2016年全港有68.16萬隻寵物，寵物貓狗佔逾7成、達約51萬隻。寵物服務如雨後春筍，主人愈來愈肯花錢於動物身上，造就寵物酒店、寵物美容等市場。
資料來源: 香港經濟日報 01/06/2018
https://topick.hket.com/article/2085405/90後大學生創業當寵物保姆%E3%80%80上門收費照顧毛孩【有片】
龐大和急速增長的寵物市場
Pet theory: rising ownership in Hong Kong opens up a host of retail opportunities
Booming pet economy has also brought opportunities and insights to various property sectors in the city
In Hong Kong, more families are welcoming pets into their homes with about 289 000 households keeping pets in 2015-16. A study commissioned by the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong last year and previous thematic reports by the Census and Statistics Department, showed that pet ownership has undergone exponential growth over the last decade, rising 72 per cent from 297,100 dogs and cats in 2005/6 to 510,600 in 2015/16. It is expected to reach 545,600 in 2019.
Pet ownership is the highest among the more affluent families, with 11.1 per cent of the households earning HK$40,000 (US$5,112) or above owning dogs and 6.5 per cent of these households owning cats, according to a study from 2011.
Today’s devoted pet owners spend a lot of dough on their furry kids, spoiling them with luxury products and services, as consumption patterns have become increasingly “humanised and premiumised”. According to Statistia, revenue in Hong Kong’s pet food segment is expected to reach about HK$1.1 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9 per cent between 2018 and 2021.
From a real estate perspective, the booming pet economy has also brought opportunities and insights to various property sectors in the city.
The expansion of pet shops and suppliers has been notable. For instance, Pet line opened six new retail locations over the last 12 months. Many pet shops have also used omni-channels to reach a wider and diverse customer base.
Meanwhile, there is a trend for pet-related businesses to open bigger outlets – 1,000 square feet or above – to extend healthier choices and lifestyles into pet care, such as high-end pet grooming, pet spa and Doga (yoga for dogs) to capitalise on the shift in pet owner behaviour and preferences.
As the pet community puts emphasis on adopting pets instead of buying, and increasing health awareness of pet owners, the population of older pets is expected to rise. With more households owning older pets, requirements for medical care because of age-related conditions are expected to increase.
On top of the mainstream pet hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and rehabilitation centres, the pet care trend is moving towards specialisation, such as elderly pet care centres, focusing on extending life expectancy and improving quality of life.
Business opportunities brought about by the thriving pet economy has also extended to traditional retailers, similar to fashion brands bringing in secondary product lines for kids. For example, Ikea has recently launched Ikea Lurvig in the US, Canada, France, Japan and Taiwan, selling a range of products designed for four-legged family members.
Only a few shopping centres in Hong Kong set themselves apart from the rest by allowing pets. To balance the interests of both pet-lovers and those shoppers who dislike pets, most malls impose some sort of restriction (for example, pets are only allowed if they are carried by their owners). In terms of tenant mix, most shopping centres only accept pet related businesses selling pet products. Now that shoppers are looking for more experiential elements in their shopping trips, landlords could consider introducing tenants involved in pet-related services given the growth potential of this niche market.
On a separate note, unconventional office landlords, co-working space operators or companies can explore the viability of pet-friendly workplace to capitalise on the expanding pet market. While bringing animals to the workplace has its own challenges, a workplace that is pet-friendly also has its share of benefits, such as relieving stress of employees, promoting positive interactions and improving company image.
Key drivers for a booming pet economy
Changing demographics: Decreasing birth rates in recent years and the tendency of late marriage have seen a shift in the city’s demographics; many couples have sought companionship by welcoming four-legged friends to their homes. Meanwhile, the increasing share of elderly population and the loneliness that comes with the advancing years have led many seniors to be emotionally attached to their pets.
Changing attitudes towards pet raising: Nowadays, more people regard pets as part of their family, taking care of them like human beings. Pet owners also put strong emphasis on the beauty and wellness of their furry kids. These have opened doors for companies to introduce numerous discretionary pet products and services.
Social media enables start-ups to run pet-related businesses at lower costs: With the rise of social media, the start-up and marketing costs of a pet-related business can be substantially lowered. Entrepreneurs have been able to introduce diverse pet-related services and e-commerce such as pet sitters, pet Airbnb, pet psychic communicators and on-site pet grooming.
Source: South China Morning Post (南華早報) on 27/02/2018 https://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/2134862/pet-theory-rising-ownership-hong-kong-opens-host-retail
Pet Pet聯萌：唔想寵物孤伶伶 保姆有計
Baby Sitter（育兒保姆）聽得多，Pet Sitter寵物保姆聽過未？原來這個職業在外國一早已經很流行，如果主人需要離家一段日子，雖然可以選擇寄養寵物，但部分主人覺得比起陌生環境，寵物留在自己的家會比較舒服。Furrenz寵物保姆創辦人Viola和Philip覺得香港人經常出國公幹和旅行，其實亦有寵物保姆的需求。寵物保姆會負責餵食、換水、清理便便、陪玩、餵藥，還會每日Send相給主人，甚至淋花、收信、扔垃圾都做埋，少啲愛心和耐性都唔得！
Viola本身在加拿大擔任寵物保姆多年，她和Philip要求旗下的寵物保姆完成香港復甦學會的寵物急救課程，並對寵物護理有認識，希望服侍到一班大帝滿意。相信對於的喜歡寵物的人來說，寵物保姆是一份筍工，正如Viola所講，每日與得意的小動物相處，令她充滿快樂正能量。能夠與客人的寵物變得熟絡親密，亦令他們相當有成功感。
資料來源: 東方日報 17/12/2017
http://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/lifestyle/20151217/bkn-20151217112921554-1217_00982_001.html
美國的寵物業給香港的業界的啟示
Why Pet Care Is One of the Best Industries for Starting a Business in 2017
The traditional pet industry, valued at $60 billion in the U.S., is getting a makeover. Technological advances make it even easier for local businesses involved in pet sitting, grooming, walking, training, and boarding to reach customers, streamline processes, and scale their operations.
Why it’s hot: Forty percent of customers in the pet care industry are ages 30-49. Millennials are aging into this group and getting more pets than previous generations. According to research firm Mintel, three-fourths of American 30-somethings have dogs, compared with half of the overall population. Meanwhile, more than half of Americans in their 30s have cats, compared with 35 percent of the overall population. Millennials with pets also expect to use technology to buy services, providing opportunity for new ventures in e-commerce, subscription packages, and connected devices like pet wearables.
What’s required: An affinity for animals is, of course, a must. But you’ll also need some behavioral training skills and an ability to market yourself to continue gaining new customers. To integrate technology into your processes, you’ll need a level of proficiency in building apps and websites or the ability to work with an expert.
Barriers to entry: Depending on the business, barriers to entry can be quite low. Pet walking and sitting might require very little upfront investment, but boarding, grooming, and training will require capital for facilities, equipment, and health and safety certifications.
The downside: Customer turnover can happen quickly in the pet services industry, and it might take some time to build up a loyal base. The nature of the business might also require long hours and an always-on-call customer service policy. You’ll often need to be available on weekends and holidays, when pet owners might be traveling.
Competition: The industry hasn’t seen much consolidation apart from a few grooming franchises like Wag N Wash and Best Friend’s Choice Whiskers & Paws. When it comes to sitting, boarding, walking, and grooming, the most competition is likely to come from small, independent local players. In the more tech-heavy segments of the industry, startups like pet toy and treat subscription service BarkBox, services platform Rover, direct-to-consumer pet pharmaceutical company Vets First Choice, and smart-collar maker Whistle Labs are some of the dominant companies.
Growth: Pet grooming and boarding revenue was nearly $8 billion in the U.S. in 2016, and IBISWorld projects 7 percent annual growth through 2021. According to CB Insights, between 2012 and 2016, $486 million was invested in the global pet tech sector across 172 venture capital deals. The worldwide pet wearables market alone will be a $2.6 billion market by 2019, market research firm IDTechEx predicts.
Source: Inc. 5000 on 01/03/2017
https://www.inc.com/bartie-scott/best-industries-2017-pet-care.html?cid=land500016-featured-17
【裁員失業】全職當寵物保母 餵食陪過夜一對一
各位主人去旅行，放心不下自己的寵物，由朋友照顧當然可靠，但未必有朋友有空而且懂得照顧，或者寵物酒店是最終選擇，但旅行旺季，寵物酒店未必有足夠人手照顧，質素有可能受影響。再者，始終是一個陌生環境，寵物未必習慣容易受驚。於是，提供一對一服務的寵物保母誕生，大家要託管狗狗又多個選擇。
寵物保母阿Ming是位三十出頭的男生，從小開始已有飼養寵物習慣，如狗仔、兔仔、鴨仔、龜，曾在寵物店兼職工作，負責幫寵物沖涼、剪甲、剪毛、梳毛及餵食等，也間中幫朋友照顧寵物，可謂經驗豐富。於是，2015年他與媽媽搞寵物託管生意，由媽媽做主力，每星期平均照顧三至四隻寵物，主要是狗仔，間中也有替客人照顧貓及兔兔。Ming原本在樂視負責網上商店的營運，但因為大裁員而失業，所以索性全職當寵物保母。
預先家訪跟狗仔打招呼
主人們想找寵物保母幫忙，可以一個月前預約時間，之後阿Ming會在你外遊前上門，先做一次家訪。這次剛好主人Suki外遊，要將1歲3個月大迷你貴婦狗託管，Ming就在他外遊前上門了解狗仔的性格、喜好、飲食及落街的習慣，最重要是跟狗仔Mimi打招呼，「家訪讓狗仔認得我的氣味及聲音，當真的與牠們相處時就不會很突然，知道我是老朋友。」
寵物保母上門提供的基本服務，包括餵食、換水、清潔大小便、陪玩，更可以落街放狗幫狗仔放電，有時候主人甚至要求留宿服務，「有些主人會擔心狗仔夜晚時害怕獨處，又不知晚上會否有奇怪事發生，怕牠不習慣，我就會上門過夜陪牠，至天亮才離開。」
Ming回想當時決意幫人託管寵物的原因，是由於朋友一個傷心經歷，「朋友因去旅行而將狗仔託管在寵物酒店，回來後發現狗仔不開心，而且食慾不振，幾日後就突然離開了。」他很懷疑是否在狗酒店發生了意外，曾嘗試去寵物酒店理論及追究，當然沒有結果，他因而覺得很傷心，因為疏忽照顧而令狗狗受苦。他覺得這個行業有很多改善空間，寵物酒店的弊病是同時間要照顧太多寵物，人手不足就會影響質素，容易造成疏忽，照顧寵物其實應由不同人負責不同專長、寵物美容地方就專注做美容、照顧寵物應由專業的人來做，專注而且各司其職，就可為狗仔提供最適切的服務。