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Summer holidays in UAE: Some pet owners shell out as much as Dh3,750 for pet-sitting services
Customers often secure their slots six months in advance, and new inquiries typically flood in about two weeks before schools close for summer
Supplied photos: Andrea Petrovic
Ever wonder how UAE residents care for their pets when they fly out during the summer? Most, turn to pet-sitters.
According to industry experts, there's a high demand for pet-sitting services during the summer and towards the end of the year as residents leave the country for holidays. Specialised sitters offer regular check-ins and care for prices ranging from Dh70 to Dh170 per visit.
Many take up to 3 weeks' vacation, with pet-setting expenses reaching up to Dh3,570, according to a Dubai-based pet-setting website.
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Paulita Hesketh, owner of The Pet Sitter Dubai, has seen the seasonal demand for such services during the period. "During peak seasons like July and August, December and January, and over the Easter break, we experience a surge in bookings," Paulita told Khaleej Times.
"Our customers often secure their slots six months in advance, and new enquiries typically flood in about two weeks before school holidays."
Higher demand during summer
She emphasised their approach to handling increased summer demand: "Despite being a small team of skilled multicultural women from diverse backgrounds, we ensure high-quality service without hiring additional staff. We pride ourselves on managing workload efficiently to meet our clients' needs," Paulita said.
According to the website, a standard visit can last 30 minutes and reach Dh85, which applies to 2 pets if they're of the same species. "Our services range from 30 to 60-minute visits, all conducted in the familiar surroundings of the client's home," she explained.
According to Paulita, they have a detailed service model: "When a client contacts us, we initiate with a comprehensive questionnaire to gather essential details such as medical history and behavioural traits. Matching the pet with the most suitable sitter is crucial, followed by a face-to-face meeting and a transparent contractual agreement that adheres to all municipal regulations," Paulita added.
Supplied photo: Paulita (right)
The Dubai resident began her journey with pet sitting when she left her job to take care of her senior pet, Doodle. "It all started when I left my dream job to care for my senior pet, Doodle," she shared. "From there, word spread, and soon my services were sought out across the city."
More comfortable at home
Andrea Petrovic, a Serbian expat who has been staying in the UAE for 8 years, used the pet sitting service and became a part-time pet sitter in 2020. "I had to leave the country to get married and leave my cat in a boarding facility for three weeks," Andrea shared.
However, Andrea noticed some changes in her pet, knowing cats are sensitive animals. "Cats are very sensitive, so they prefer their own home. I have noticed my cat Milo has become weak," she said.
While Andrea sometimes leaves her dog at a daycare or boarding facility, she said she would not do that for her cat. "For my dog, it will never work because I have a hyperactive dog. So I would never leave him at home for 8 to 9 hours because he would go crazy. But for my cat, I will do it for the first time now because I need to travel. So, I will need to hire licensed pet-sitters."
In addition to being a pet owner, Andrea also worked as a part-time pet sitter for a year. She also notices peak times for pet-sitting requests, particularly during the holiday seasons. "Whenever there is a holiday season, people will travel, so they will hire a sitter. The same thing with boarding facilities being full."
Layla Binbrek, a Canadian expat, has used Paulita's pet-sitting services for several years. As a first-time pet owner who adopted a stray cat named Milo in 2020, Binbrek was initially apprehensive about leaving her pet behind during her travels.
Supplied photo: Layla and Milo (her pet)
"It was difficult, I was very concerned," Binbrek shared. "But at least I knew that even though I was away, he's taken care of in the comfort of his own home."
Since then, the Dubai South resident has used the pet service whenever she needs to leave her pet behind. She explained, "They play with him and inform me if there are any issues. They take care of him well."
The pet service gave Binbrek the convenience and peace of mind she needed. "It just gives you that extra reassurance. You know exactly who's responsible for caring for your pet. They know exactly what they need, where the treats are, where the vet is."
More than just pet-sitting
Even in unexpected situations, such as the recent storms in Dubai, Binbrek was impressed by the pet-sitter's dedication. "The cat sitter assigned to me still made it to the house when everyone struggled. She even sent me a video of my apartment to let me know everything was okay, Milo was okay."
For Binbrek, the reasonable rates and added assurance of a "second pair of eyes" on her home make the pet-sitting services an invaluable investment. "It's not like I don't have friends who can also check in on him, but they have their jobs and responsibilities. This is someone completely dedicated to taking care of your pet."
Reliability invaluable
Hassan M, a Lebanese expat, and Dubai resident, has also used a pet-sitting service for years now. As a busy professional who often travels for work, Hassan found it challenging to ensure his dog was taken care of during his absence. "I couldn't always count on friends or family to check on my dog, especially on short notice," Hassan shared.
That's when he discovered a pet-sitting service. "It's been a lifesaver for me. I can now travel to work without worrying about my dog being alone or not getting the attention he needs." Hassan has even become friends with some of the pet sitters he's worked with, and they often walk their dogs together. "In case of emergency, I can even call one of them to quickly check on my dog if I can't get back home immediately."
For Hassan, the convenience and reliability of the pet-sitting service are invaluable. "It's the most convenient service I've come across, and I'm grateful to have found it. It gives me peace of mind knowing my dog is in good hands while I'm away."
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