拒絕讓毛孩成為下一個剴剴！

保母虐孩事件屢屢發生，尤其台北『剴剴』遭受保母姊妹長期凌虐致死案，及高雄托嬰中心因兒虐事件停業後更名重開案，再再顯示，台灣行政作業流程與監督管理系統，其實長期弊病百出，絕不是只靠政府舉辦職業認證，擬有定型化契約，就能確保消費和服務品質，而是需要全面檢討與通盤配套，才能盡力防範憾事發生。

「比血緣更堅韌、更可怕的是緣分。」這是最新韓劇《比天堂還美麗》中一句台詞，但也很貼近許多寵愛的飼主，和毛孩間這種難以言喻的親暱情感。尤其少子化、單身、老齡人口的增加，除帶動『寵物家人觀』及產值規模，也因應消費需求改變，衍生許多新服務行業。不禁讓人擔心，我們摯愛的家人毛孩，會不會成為下一個剴剴翻版，遭受到寵物保母無知的對待及殘忍的傷害？！

一紙證照，從來不能等於真正的專業。

以政府開辦「托育(保母)人員技術士技能檢定」行之多年，縣市政府社會局、兒童社福團體等合作監督亦有長期流程模式來看，但仍不免虐嬰虐童事件頻傳；由勞動力發展署106年即開辦「寵物美容丙級」，是目前台灣唯一政府開辦的寵物職能證照考試，但只要年滿 15歲即可報考，但現行各項寵物職業法規並無要求從業人員必須報考，且根據104人力銀行調查發現，近年來平均月薪僅2萬9,000元，寵物美容服務被歸類為是技術含量不高的職業，5年來薪資卻是負成長達1.8%。

近期農業部在立委質詢時提出，預計六月底完成「寵物照顧證照制度」，針對寵物保母應比照寵物美容技術士，領有丙級證照才能從事，並建立「寵物寄養制度」與「定型化契約」。

原政府開辦成人技職證照本意，是幫助有意投入工作者，能迎合市場趨勢需求發展，增加工作機會與實質收入，提高服務品質以降低消費糾紛，但實際情況卻與計畫相違背與不符，足以證明如要幫助從業人員提升素質和產業發展，無論是針對寵物保母，還是寵物食品安全，都應該要考慮國際趨勢與消費需求，搭配完整配套辦法及管理機制建立開始，否則只會帶來更多民怨和問題，及各種行政資源的浪費。

讓愛有更穩固的管理專業做後盾。

根據政府統計，64% 的寵物照顧服務由個人提供，許多平台甚至讓「只要有興趣」的人就能快速上線接案，沒有經驗、不需證照，也無培訓、無良民證、無行為管理機制，甚至收費自訂、寄養環境參差不齊、同居者是否同樣具備能力與愛心……

但你知道嗎？多數寄養保母照顧的不只一隻毛孩，生活空間可能擁擠、動線混亂，還可能存在心理暴力、疏忽甚至身體傷害的風險。

這不是危言聳聽，而是新聞和社群平台上不斷上演的真實事件。

首先，寵物保母多個人商業形式服務，政府難要求和管轄。

根據財政部統計處(2023.2.24)指出，「寵物照顧服務」自108年起，個人業者家數占比超過公司行號，111年更升至6成4。

其次，多數寵物保母欠缺審核、管理及完整職業訓練，容易產生消費糾紛及傷害。

目前多數媒介平台均採「登記快速上線、純提供交易電商」方式，沒有硬性要求一定要有養寵經驗、良民證、相關學習結業證明、職能證照或相關工作經驗，平台也沒有提供加入後需完成『持續的在職訓練』、要求穿著制服。

換句話說，從事寵物保母收費服務，只要有「興趣」、「意願」就可以，相比應徵一般工作，至少還要提出相關工作經驗、專業證明和技能，且要經過面試、應聘還要簡單，對消費者而言，更是毫無任何保障。

第三，寵物保母提供寄養，對毛孩來說潛藏更多不可控傷害因素。

當寵物保母把顧客毛孩帶回家，撇開環境空間、設備動線是否合適及足夠，家庭同居成員是否具備同理心、愛心、耐心、寵物照顧常識，這些對毛孩來說都是非常不可控的潛藏變數。許多新聞及社群平台中，常能看到同居人傷害寵物的社會事件，也能看到受託毛孩回家後出現行為、習慣異變的消息。尤其目前多數提供寄養家庭的寵物保母，都是同時受理照顧不只一隻，在欠缺妥善規劃的私人家庭環境中，很難確保意外不會發生。

第四，飼主觀念程度日漸提升，但寵物問題日益複雜，照護需求提升。

根據《2024年寵物健康大調查》針對2023年7月～2024年7月約340萬筆資料分析發現「寵物醫療照護」躍升成飼主關注焦點，顯示毛孩家長願意投入更多資源照顧寵物健康。由於毛孩生病時，飼主往往感到極度焦慮和不安，加上治療過程可能漫長且艱難，複雜照護需求也可能對飼主日常生活造成顯著影響。未受長期專業訓練的寵物保母，該如何因應這些複雜的照護需求，確保照護品質，絕非是個人型態提供寄養家庭的寵物保母可以應對處理的。

第五，現行特寵業者，已難達成高服務品質滿意，何況是個人型態服務。

根據目前特定寵物業管理辦法，從申請資格及許可經營雖已有多項規定，並要求專任人員一人以上需符合下列要求之一，包括領有獸醫師證書或畜牧技師證書；或畜牧、獸醫、水產、動物相關系科畢業證明；或曾接受各級主管機關辦理或委辦之特寵專任訓練二百小時以上，領有結業證書；或營業場所現場工作三年以上經驗等，但根據消基會調查(2017.10.31新聞)，仍有超過半數以上違法經營，即使合法，也經常可在新聞及社群平台發現各種照顧不當的消費糾紛案件。

深究主要原因，包括現行許多特寵時數課程偏重傳統學術理論，欠缺實務應用及服務訓練、欠缺積極查核制度、門市欠缺對服務人員的長期在職培訓、升遷考核及人才福利、業者未因應市場需求變化經營、欠缺定型化消費契約等。

但合法特寵業者尚有現行主管機關和公會可輔以管理，寵物保母多個人型態斜槓兼職，即使立專責機構管理，也非常難達到監督管理成效。

我方長期推動飼主教育多年，2016年即創辦「到府寵物保母」證照課程，陸續開辦各種寵物相關實務課程及職能證照考試，也是唯一提供結業學員輔導開業單位。去年開始，特別針對養寵家庭，推出「到府毛孩居服員」服務，提供近20項合法安居照顧。對於未來如開放個人服務，可以在限制條件下提供寄養，是既得利益者。

但還是希望從保護雙方的角度，中肯的提出我們實務辦理經驗及拙見，盼 政府能遠慮深計，規劃完整配套措施防患於未來，以確保我們摯愛的家人毛孩，不會成為下一個剴剴翻版。

作者：p'adore寵愛教養食育專校 創辦人暨營運長 陳蓁

預約到府服務

Refuse to let your furry friend become the next Qianqian!

Nanny child abuse incidents occur frequently, especially the Taipei "剀剀" case where a nanny's sister abused the nanny to death over a long period of time, and the Kaohsiung daycare center that closed due to child abuse incidents and then changed its name and reopened. These have repeatedly shown that Taiwan's administrative operating procedures and supervision and management systems have long been plagued by numerous problems. It is by no means possible to ensure the quality of consumption and services by simply relying on the government to hold professional certifications and draw up standardized contracts. Instead, a comprehensive review and comprehensive support are needed to prevent such incidents from happening.

"Tenaciousr than blood, more formidable than fate." This line from the recent Korean drama "More Beautiful Than Heaven" resonates deeply with the indescribable bond between many beloved pet owners and their furry companions. In particular, the declining birthrate, the rise of singles, and the aging population are driving not only the perception of pets as family members and the value of their output, but are also spawning a host of new service industries in response to shifting consumer demands. This raises the question: will our beloved furry companions become the next "Kai-Kai" victims, subject to ignorant and cruel treatment by pet sitters?

A piece of certificate can never be equal to true professionalism.

The government has run the "Skills Certification for Childcare (Nanny) Technicians" for many years, and county and city government social affairs bureaus, child welfare groups, and other organizations have a long-term process for cooperation and supervision. However, infant and child abuse incidents are still frequent. The Workforce Development Agency launched the "Pet Grooming Level C" in 2017. It is currently the only government-run pet professional license examination in Taiwan. Anyone who is 15 years old or above can apply for the exam, but current pet occupation regulations do not require practitioners to apply. According to a survey conducted by the 104 Job Bank, the average monthly salary in recent years has been only NT$29,000. Pet grooming services are classified as low-skilled occupations, and wages have seen negative growth of 1.8% over the past five years.

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture proposed during questioning by legislators that it expects to complete the "Pet Care License System" by the end of June. Pet sitter should be similar to pet grooming technicians and must hold a Class C license to engage in this profession. A "pet foster care system" and "standardized contracts" will also be established.

The original intention of the government to launch adult technical licenses was to help those who are interested in working to meet market trends and demand, increase job opportunities and actual income, and improve service quality to reduce consumer disputes. However, the actual situation is contrary to and inconsistent with the plan. This is enough to prove that if we want to help practitioners improve their quality and industry development, whether it is for pet sitters or pet food safety, we should consider international trends and consumer demand, and start with the establishment of complete supporting measures and management mechanisms. Otherwise, it will only bring more public grievances and problems, and waste various administrative resources.

Let love be backed by more stable management expertise.

According to government statistics, 64% of pet care services are provided by individuals. Many platforms allow anyone with "interest" to quickly sign up online and take on a pet care job. No experience, licenses, training, or good conduct certificates are required, and there are no behavioral management mechanisms. Some pet care providers even charge their own fees, and the quality of the care environment varies widely. Whether cohabitants are equally capable and caring is a factor.

But did you know that most foster caregivers care for more than one pet? Living spaces can be crowded, traffic flow can be chaotic, and there can be risks of psychological abuse, neglect, and even physical harm.

This is not alarmist talk, but a real event that is constantly happening in the news and on social media platforms.

First of all, pet sitters are mostly individual commercial services, which makes it difficult for the government to require and regulate them.

According to the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Finance (February 24, 2023), the proportion of individual pet care service operators has exceeded that of corporate businesses since 2019, and in 2022, the proportion has risen to 64%.

Secondly, most pet sitters lack review, management, and complete professional training, which can easily lead to consumer disputes and injuries.

Currently, most media platforms adopt the "registration, quick launch, and purely transactional e-commerce" approach. There are no rigid requirements for pet-raising experience, good citizenship certificates, relevant training completion certificates, professional licenses, or relevant work experience. The platforms also do not require "continuous on-the-job training" or uniforms after joining.

In other words, to engage in paid pet-sitting services, one only needs to have "interest" and "willingness". Compared to applying for general jobs, which at least require relevant work experience, professional certification and skills, and going through an interview, the application process is even simpler. For consumers, there is no guarantee at all.

Third, pet sitters provide foster care, which can potentially expose pets to more uncontrollable harm.

When a pet sitter brings a client's pet home, aside from the suitability and adequacy of the space and equipment, and whether the family members possess empathy, love, patience, and common sense in pet care, these are all potentially uncontrollable variables for the pet. News and social media platforms often feature stories of pet owners harming their pets, as well as reports of pets experiencing behavioral changes or changes in behavior after returning home. This is especially true given that most pet sitters currently provide foster homes for more than one pet at a time. In a private home setting without proper planning, it's difficult to prevent accidents.

Fourth, pet owners’ awareness is gradually improving, but pet issues are becoming increasingly complex and care needs are increasing.

The "2024 Pet Health Survey," analyzing approximately 3.4 million data points from July 2023 to July 2024, found that "pet medical care" has become a rising concern among pet owners, demonstrating a willingness among pet parents to invest more resources in their pets' health. Sick pets often cause extreme anxiety and restlessness, and treatment can be lengthy and arduous. Complex care needs can significantly impact owners' daily lives. How can a pet sitter, without extensive professional training, manage these complex care needs and ensure quality? This is beyond the capabilities of individual pet sitters providing foster homes.

Fifth, it is difficult for current pet care providers to achieve high service quality satisfaction, let alone personalized services.

The current regulations for the management of the pet industry stipulate numerous requirements for application qualifications and operating licenses, and require that at least one full-time employee meet one of the following requirements: a veterinarian's certificate or a livestock technician's certificate; or a graduation certificate in a livestock, veterinary, aquatic, or animal-related field; or at least 200 hours of full-time pet training administered or commissioned by competent authorities at all levels, with a certificate of completion; or at least three years of on-site work experience at the business premises. However, according to a Consumers' Foundation survey (October 31, 2017), more than half of pet businesses are still operating illegally. Even legal businesses often face various consumer disputes arising from improper care, as can be seen in the news and on social media platforms.

A deeper look into the main reasons reveals that many current special hours courses focus too much on traditional academic theories, lack practical application and service training, lack a proactive audit system, stores lack long-term on-the-job training for service staff, promotion assessments and talent benefits, businesses fail to adapt to changes in market demand, and lack standardized consumer contracts.

However, legal special pet businesses still have existing competent authorities and associations to assist in management. Many pet sitter work part-time, and even if a dedicated agency is established, it will be very difficult to achieve effective supervision and management.

We have been promoting pet owner education for many years. In 2016, we established the "Home Pet Sitter" certification program. We have since offered various pet-related practical courses and professional certification exams, and are the only business that provides graduate counseling. Last year, we launched the "Home Pet Sitter" service, specifically for pet-owning families, offering nearly 20 legal home care services. If individual services are allowed in the future, we will be able to provide foster care under certain conditions, and we have a vested interest.

However, we still hope to share our practical experience and humble opinions from the perspective of protecting both parties. We hope that the government will be far-sighted and plan comprehensive supporting measures to prevent future problems, so as to ensure that our beloved family members and pets will not become the next copycat of the "Kai Kai".

<<English translation provided by Google>>