The Malaysian Insight

THE movement control orders have left businesses that sell pet products or boarding services reeling, with many claiming they are on the verge of shuttering for good.

Many told The Malaysia Insight they have had to diversify, like selling pet food, accessories and offering animal grooming services. 

Pawprint Cats Hotel & Salon owner Nurynsorsena, 29, said revenue dropped by half as people unable to travel are not sending away their pets to be boarded. 

“Since the interstate travel restriction, we focused on the salon, even there, I would say that sales dropped by almost 50%,” she said. 

Nurynsorsena said she took over the business from a previous owner, who went bankrupt in the first MCO.

“After the MCO, there was a period when the government allowed people to cross state borders but in fact, the effect (of MCO) is still there. And even if we could say business has increased, it is not by much, probably by 20%.

“I took over from the previous owner, who closed the shop during the MCO and when we started operating, we tried to focus on the pet salon,” she said. 

Another business owner, Nadira Abd Samad, 34, said she was forced to close her shop in October after operating for seven years. 

Nadira said that she has now moved her business online, which focuses on pet food, accessories and beauty and salon services.

“In the past, pet hotels got its highest revenue during festivals or holidays.

“Now that I’ve moved business online, it is actually a little different because we will have charge for delivery and not all our customers want it,” she said.

Muhammad Habibul Anbia, 31, said his business took a hit during the MCO. 

“The government has eased restrictions through the CMCO but customers are still not as many as previous times,” said Habibul, who has been in business for five years. 

He said the situation forced him to offer door-to-door services at no additional charge.  

“Now during the CMCO, I provide door-to-door services without any additional charges. For me that’s all I can do to save my business. We have to work like those Food Panda and Grab Food, based on the distance allowed.

“I also have gotten to the extent of getting products from other pet stores to meet the customer’s request. These are some of the extra efforts I had to do,” he said. – March 17, 2021.