She provides overnight pet-sitting service

Although there are pet hotels, some pet owners prefer to have their pets cared for in their own homes by a pet-sitter.

Miss Diane Yue Hui Hui, 31, is a pet-sitter with Pawshake, a San Francisco-based website that links pet-sitters with pet owners.

At $20 per house visit, which lasts between 30 minutes and two hours, Miss Yue goes to the client's house to feed and clean the pet.

Sometimes, for $100, she even stays the night to provide in-home pet care, or house-sitting.

She says it is a popular option for people who own pets with medical conditions and anxiety issues - shy, unsociable and aggressive animals do better at home.

And while many Asians are not keen to have strangers staying in their homes, Mr Tanguy Peers, co-founder of Pawshake, says the mindset is changing.

He says: "Singaporeans are getting familiar with the 'sharing economy', like Airbnb, and are getting comfortable with the system.

"Singapore accounts for 20 per cent of Pawshake's revenue, and the market is growing rapidly."

Miss Yue, who works as a realtor, chose to be a part-time pet-sitter as she feels it is a good opportunity for her own dog to have companions.

CAUTIOUS

She adds that some clients are tricky to deal with at first, saying: "Singaporeans tend to be more cautious, and they ask more questions about my background. Some even request for a copy of my NRIC, and they install closed-circuit television cameras in their homes."

But she has noticed a shift.

"People are opening up and learning how to trust, especially the younger generation," she says.

PET LOVER: Miss Diane Yue Hui Hui has been a pet-sitter since early last year. PHOTO: DIANE YUE HUI HUI

Miss Yue, who has been a Pawshake pet-sitter since early last year, says her best experience was a three-night "holiday" at a Holland Road penthouse stocked with pre-cooked meals.

"The owners are American expatriates, and they told me to treat it like a vacation. It truly felt like a resort vacation, and I got to bond with the dog and teach her new commands and tricks," she says.

"I always strive to do a good job and to exceed expectations because nothing beats word-of-mouth referrals.

"I am happy when meaningful friendships are formed from the work I do."