KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The pet industry is expected to sustain growth in the near future, pet store operators said.

Qian Hu The Pet Family general manager Lam Hoi Chean said it has been a growth story for the five-outlet chain store since it opened in 2004.

"We have been growing every year. In fact, our sales for the half month of January is higher than December's by 15 per cent, and our highest sales for last year was in December," he said.

As such, Lam does not expect the pet industry to be affected in any way by the economic downturn.

"In the United States, for instance, veterinary care can be expensive. But that is not the case here."

He felt that even in the face of a downturn, pet owners were unlikely to turn their pets away.

"If a pet owner loses his job, it is unlikely he is going to give up his pet, because there's an emotional attachment involved here. He may just resort to giving his pet cheaper food until he gets another job."

Lam added that it would cost only about RM100 a month to feed a Shitzu with premium-grade food.

He also said that the sales of dogs and smaller animals such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs have been growing. "We sell between 600 and 800 of these small animals every month."

Given this growth story, Pet Family is looking to open another two or three outlets this year.

Singapore's Pet Lovers Centre (PLC), which owns the Pet Safari outlets in Malaysia, is also confident of sustained growth.

PLC managing director Ng Whye Hoe said while there was no slowdown in the purchase of necessities such as pet food and shampoo, there was a slight decline for fashion pet accessories, such as shirts, collars, bowls and leases.

PLC does not sell dogs and cats in Malaysia, only small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and even reptiles.

"Sales of perishables are not seeing any distinct slowdown, but take-up for small animals have seen a decline of about seven per cent.

"Accessories declined about three per cent, but have just rebounded because of the Chinese New Year.

"Generally, the pet industry is a bit more resilient."

PLC plans to add to its 25 outlets in Singapore this year. It recently opened its third outlet in the Klang Valley.

Pet store chain Pets Wonderland, operational since 2001, however is treading more cautiously.

A company spokesman said while there has not been a slowdown in sales, it would look into pricing strategy soon.

"We will also look at offers and promotions, such as buy a pet and get pet food for free."

-- New Straits Times