How to take care your pet when you are expat?

Owning a pet in Dubai can bring with it hefty financial tolls. Aside from the yearly vaccination costs, which are required by law, if your furry friend gets ill or has an accident and needs to spend time with the vet, it can quickly spiral upwards and you may find that your bank balance suffers. In many countries around the world, pet insurance offers that safety blanket and alleviates the financial stress of a sick animal. It is hugely important for potential pet owners to count the costs as much as they can before committing to bringing a little creature to live in your family home. To help you work your way through the process, We’ve rounded up costs from some of the popular animal practices in Dubai.

Blue Oasis

A warm and caring pet clinic that is dedicated to the wellbeing of animal friends, including cats, dogs, rodents and rabbits.
Dhs185 (consultation), Dhs335 (annual vaccinations for cats and dogs), Dhs75 (municipality fee). Dubai Investments Park, Green Community, www.blueoasispetcare.com (04 884 8580).

Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services

This government veterinary practice is a cost-effective option for many, as initial consultations are free of charge. Free (consultations), Dhs210 (annual vaccination for dogs), Dhs180 (annual vaccination for cats), Dhs10 (municipality fee). Open Sat-Thu 7.30am-7.30pm; Fri 6.30am-11am, 2pm-7.30pm. Wadi Al Amardi, vetsection@dm.gov.ae (04 289 1114).

Two feet four paws

This practice is made up of a family-orientated team who are on hand to cater for all your pet’s needs. It plays an active role within the community by constructively contributing towards the welfare of all animals, including fledgling birds. Dhs190 (consultation), Dhs375 (annual vaccinations for cats and dogs), Dhs53 (municipality fee). Open Sun-Wed 8am-7pm, Thu 8am-5pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm. Shop 1, Al Durar Building, Dubailand (04 552 0213). Other location: Golden Mile Galleria 1, www.2feet2paws.ae (04 442 8330).

Pet hotels

Sometimes your pet will need a sitter, especially as during the hot summer months many families leave town for travels far and wide. There are plenty of kennels and catteries that offer friendly and happy temporary care, but it’s best to get booked in early. Another idea is to find a trustworthy pet sitter who can spend time with your furry friend when you’re not around. Here’s a round up of different options…

CSD Pet Solutions

You might prefer having your critter looked after in your own home, especially if you are just away for the weekend. Staff from this company will come for scheduled visits to your location and feed and play with your pet and walk them if needed. You can choose from one, two or even three visits a day. Dhs65 (per cat for 35 minutes), Dhs75 (per dog for 45 minutes). www.petsittingindubai.com (056 466 8625).

Daphne Play Centre

Like a soft play area for dogs, Daphne’s Play Centre offers kennel-free boarding for man’s best friend. It includes an indoor doggy park and a safe space for your four-legged little ones to enjoy a “playcation”. Overnight guests have cosy beds, plenty of toys and treats.  Dhs110 (per day boarding), Dhs80 (doggy day-care). Open Sun-Thu 8am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm. Warehouse 8, 7B Street, Al Quoz Industrial Area 4, www.daphneplaycentre.com (050 707 6196).

Urban Tails

A seven-star hotel for your critter – this is the promise from Urban Tails. It provides a home away from home for your cat or dog – you can even book a condo for multiple pets! Dhs115 (per day boarding in a junior suite), Dhs85 (doggy day-care). Open Sat-Thu 9am-6pm or 7am-7pm for day-care. Dubai Investment Park 2, The Green Community, www.urbantailsdubai.com (04 884 8847).

No pet left behind

The reality of life as an expat family is that home is rarely the same place for more than a few years at a time. So, if you’re reading this and thinking about getting a pet, it’s important to consider that, if not properly researched, welcoming one into your family could bring huge, unexpected expenses when it’s time to move on. Unfortunately, this means that many families tend to abandon their pets when leaving, instead of forking out for relocation or rehoming costs. Tim, a global relocations account manager from Dubai Kennels and Cattery provide some estimate costs and processes involved in transporting your best (furry) friends. He says: “A young, medium-sized dog such as an English or American cocker spaniel, for example, would cost approximately Dhs10,000 to Dhs12,000 to transport from Dubai to New York, in America, and Dhs10,000 to Dhs12,000 from Dubai to London, England, and Dhs24,000 to Dhs26,000 to Sydney, Australia.”

Once you’ve got those costs settled, then this is what you need to think about before you ship your pet:

1. Does your pet belong to a banned breed list in the importing country?

2. Does your pet meet the entry requirements of the importing country? Australia and New Zealand, for example, ask you to make preparations at least six months before any transit actually takes place.

3. Certain breeds of dog, such as short-nosed ones, are statistically more prone to death during air travel than those with normal snouts. That’s because these breeds have less internal anatomical space in which to pack the same amount of respiratory structure when compared to standard-nosed ones.

4. If you are transporting a pet other than a cat or dog, it’s worth checking if they belong to the CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) list. If they do, you’ll need to obtain additional import and export permits, which can be time consuming. Be prepared.

5. Do you have the correct paperwork, including health certificates for vaccinations and import permits required for your pet to enter the country?

6. Is your cat or dog fit to fly? If they’re in poor health or particularly elderly, they may not cope with the journey very well.

7. Do you have a suitable travel box that meets airline and IATA standards?

Better start that pet travel fund now! You can start open a bank Account for your Animal welfare. Adib (Abu dhabi Islamic Bank) offers FREE! Debit Card plus Cheque with no maintaining balance require. You can apply from HERE! 

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