[Sitter Heart-to-Heart — Taipei pet sitter Qianqian] Rescuing stray animals since age 16, and changing the lives of 300+ pets as a sitter

“Sitter Heart-to-Heart” is Fluv’s 3rd anniversary interview series, where we explore and share the stories of a special, loving, and warm group of people and the pets in their care — the pet sitters who are unsung heroes quietly giving their all for pets and pet families across Taiwan. They treat every animal like family, and bring genuine professionalism and heart to their work. We’ll take you deep into the lives of these incredibly caring sitters — their stories, and how, through pet sitting, they help pets receive better care and improve the pet care landscape in Taiwan. Come hear their reflections, joys, and challenges!

Whether you’re a pet parent, a current or aspiring pet sitter, or simply curious about this profession, this series is sure to offer you fresh inspiration and warmth. We believe every story has the power to shift how we see a job, or what love and care really look like — and we can promise you’ll find plenty of heartwarming stories about giving and love in this series.

Today’s guest is a kind-hearted sitter who has been rescuing and rehoming stray animals since she was 16 — Qianqian. She has now cared for over 300 pets, and has even been by the side of some of her furry charges in their final moments.

What made you want to become a pet sitter in the first place?

I’ve always truly adored animals. I started fostering and rehoming strays when I was 16, and worked my way through various jobs in the pet industry. At one point while I was working for a previous employer, I happened to be at a pet expo during a fostering event — and that’s where I first encountered Fluv. I was so excited by what they were doing. I thought: I can help even more pets and their families through this. That excitement is what led me to become one of Fluv’s very first sitters.

Since becoming a pet sitter, is there a particularly unforgettable experience that made you feel proud?

There was a 16-year-old senior dog — a medium-sized dog — not long after I had started as a full-time sitter. The dog was staying with me for nearly 20 days. Around day 12, I noticed something was off: not eating, not going to the bathroom, discharge from the eyes and nose, low energy. I sent daily updates as usual, but the owner figured it was just the typical troubles of an old dog and didn’t think much of it. I kept pushing, and eventually they agreed to take the dog to the vet — by the time we got there, it was an emergency. Every day I’d tell the dog: wait for your mum and dad to come see you, you have to hold on. On the last day, the owner rushed back just in time to see their dog one final time. And that dog — who had been in my care for 20 days — waited for me too. He took his last breath right in front of me. I was heartbroken, but also deeply honoured. In that final moment, when I reached out to touch him, he lifted his head, nuzzled into my hand, and slipped away — as if he was saying thank you.

As a sitter, how do you help the pets in your care feel loved, warm, and cared for — just like family?

I put myself in their shoes. Every pet’s life is short — their whole world is the family that raises them. Being able to become a long-term second caregiver for them makes me genuinely happy.
Whether a pet is staying with me or I’m visiting their home, I try my best to mirror how their owner would care for them. It’ll never be exactly the same, but I give everything I have to look after them, protect them, and keep their owners in the loop.

Why did you want to become a pet sitter?

Because I genuinely love animals. Even though they can’t talk to me, and there are plenty of moments when I have no idea what they’re thinking — every time I’m there with them, paying close attention, the way they respond to me is more than enough proof that the love I give them matters.

Is there a touching (or funny and heartwarming) story that made you feel like you’ve truly made a difference in a pet’s life or their owner’s?

This one goes back about three years, to a client and her elderly poodle. She was terrified of home-based boarding at first — and for good reason. She’d previously left her dog with another sitter, and just three hours after drop-off, she got a call saying the dog had gone missing. She was beside herself and flew back to Taiwan from overseas to find her dog. That’s when she discovered how bad the situation really was: over 15 dogs crammed into a space of about 20 ping, with small, medium, and large dogs all mixed together and completely unseparated — which caused her already timid poodle to bolt out the door in a panic. Thankfully, the dog was eventually found.

Because of that experience, she found me. In the beginning, she did everything — a home visit, an early orientation stay — but she was still anxious. Now, three years on, that poodle is still coming to stay, and her mum is completely at ease. Sometimes she’ll send the dog over just for a little holiday, and I’ll even plan outings for us to go on together 😍 And somewhere along the way, this client became one of my good friends — and I also gained a beloved elderly poodle in my life 🫶🏻 I’ve watched this client go from single, to married, to pregnant, to having her first child, then her second ❤️

(Qianqian with her beloved elderly poodle)

How many pets have you cared for?

I haven’t counted exactly, but it’s been over 300 pets!

How do you think your work as a pet sitter impacts the pets and their owners?

Whenever owners can’t be there, my home becomes a temporary second home for their pets — and they can drop them off knowing everything will be fine. In nearly four years of sitting, I’ve never had an owner chase me for updates, because I send them regularly. Owners feel at ease, I take it seriously, and the pets feel safe. I get to be their temporary mum — so whether an owner has something come up last minute, is going on a trip, or is away for work, they can bring their pet over without worrying about where they’ll go or whether they’ll be okay at home alone.

Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to pet parents everywhere — or any message you’d like to share?

They only have a short decade or so with us. To them, mum and dad are everything. And I’m the sitter who’s here to share that load when life gets busy — loving them with everything I’ve got ❤️

 

Interview wrap-up

If you’re interested in Qianqian’s services, you can book her through the Fluv platform. She currently has around 400 five-star reviews and serves the Taipei City and New Taipei City areas. She’s a warm, patient, and deeply caring pet sitter!

 

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