Why pet sitting is now a trendy job in Singapore

For many, pet sitting is a way of supplementing their income. In Singapore, however, it is one of the most sought-after professions for job applicants.

Pet-sitting ads there saw a 260% increase in views on Indeed between November this year and last November, according to the American news network CNBC. Curiously, job vacancies for zookeepers are also attracting growing interest, with an increase of 149% over the same period.

Service and support jobs – such as private chauffeur, sales assistant or receptionist – are also attracting strong interest from Singapore’s jobseekers. These positions reflect the desire of many of the country’s workers for greater simplicity in their working lives.

“For many, roles like pet sitting or chauffeuring offer something that high-stakes jobs often struggle to provide: simplicity, flexibility, and a sense of control,” Indeed career expert Saumitra Chand told CNBC.

But Singaporean companies are more focused on finding sales and marketing managers and artificial intelligence engineers. This makes for a contrasting job market, Chand added, with “employers chasing innovation while jobseekers gravitate towards roles that feel accessible and practical”.

This phenomenon can be explained by several factors, not least the need of many workers to free themselves from the omnipresent stress of Singapore’s professional world. The workaholic lifestyle there is highly valued, but people in Singapore are among the most stressed in the world.

Meanwhile, the rising cost of living is pushing jobseekers into occupations that do not require long training periods to meet their immediate financial needs.

Nevertheless, Singapore’s government is making significant efforts to encourage its citizens, particularly women, to take up careers in the technology and e-commerce sectors. Yet, the city-state’s inhabitants seem more keen on becoming pet sitters, with less pressure and more freedom.

Job postings in Singapore with the highest increase in clicks, according to Indeed:

1. Pet sitter +260%
2. Chauffeur +184%
3. Sales adviser +165%
4. Bakery assistant +156%
5. Zookeeper +149%
6. Information technology intern +142%
7. Senior graphic designer +140%
8. Front desk receptionist +137%
9. Managing director +124%
10. Banking associate +117%