When Ms. Joey Chan noticed the pet owners transforming into desperate souls, frantically seeking care for their fur babies during work and travel, she leapt into action. Not with a heartwarming adoption drive or a cute Instagram post, but with house visits for pets. Someone has to save those poor creatures from their owners’ questionable decision-making skills.
At a vibrant 26 years old—very much an age of enlightenment—she slides into her clients’ homes to do everything from feeding their furry overlords to cleaning up after them (because pet owners don’t have time for silly things like cleaning). And yes, she even plays veterinarian when necessary. When pups need a good run, she morphs into their personal dog-walker, stepping in for those owners who can’t figure out how to multitask with a simple walk.
“Many of my clients are now practically my pet-holding buddies,” she confided to The Straits Times. “Some have entrusted me with their house keys, like I’m the honorary entry pass to the ‘Let’s Pamper the Pets’ club.” Living the dream, right?
During peak holiday crunch times, Ms. Chan mixes five or six home pet visits a day with her full-time job as a business development manager at The Mind Cafe. It’s a juggling act that would give any circus performer nightmares. “I schedule visits outside of my work hours, or you know, on weekends if I can find the energy. But let’s be real—it can be exhausting,” she chuckles. Yet, it’s not just a side hustle; “It’s my passion project, or as I like to call it—’saving the pets of the world, one furry friend at a time.’
Our heroine Ms. Chan isn’t alone in this noble quest; a horde of millennials and Gen Zs are now sneaking in side gigs, not just for a little extra pocket money but for personal fulfillment. Because who needs a social life when you can work 24/7, am I right?
A New Perspective on Hustling
Once upon a time, side gigs were viewed with a side-eye or two, often considered the red-headed stepchild of employment. Nowadays? They’ve got glamorous labels like “hustling,” “polyworking,” or “portfolio careers.” It’s practically the new black, making moonlighting feel utterly chic.
Post-pandemic, side gigs aren’t just whispered about—they’re worn like a badge of honor, often blessed by the employers. Ms. Chan’s boss, for instance, supports her little pet-sitting venture. “As long as my work performance doesn’t take a nosedive, I can pet-sit as much as I want!”
According to a 2025 report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), approximately 33% of Singaporeans across all ages are juggling another job like a circus act. The surge in social media and tech is probably to blame, as Gen Z seems more comfortable with side hustles than wearing matching socks.
For Singapore’s Gen Z, side hustles often come from a craving for creative expression or branding—a delightful craving that somehow makes working even more fun. “Who needs relaxation when you can hustle?” says Daniel Leung of ACCA Singapore. After all, that Netflix binge isn’t going to fund itself.
