Somewhat astonishingly for a country with a population just over 10m, an estimated 2m pets call the UAE home. The vast majority of these furry friends – and their owners – reside in Dubai.
A nation of pet lovers means an enormous industry for all manner of services, from food and grooming to accessories and care. So much so, that the UAE’s pet industry is worth an estimated USD 300m (AED 1.1bn).
With so many expatriate workers out here, demand for daycare and boarding services is particularly high. So, if you’ve got the skills and experiences to fill this gap, this article breaks down how to start a pet sitting business in Dubai.
What is a pet sitting business?
A pet sitting business is a service that takes care of people’s pets both short-term and long-term. This could mean popping in during the working day to keep domestic animals company while their owners are at work, taking them out for walks and comfort breaks, or staying in the house for a prolonged period while owners are on holiday.
Other businesses accommodate pets away from their own home. This includes daycare services while owners are at work or overnight boarding services should owners need to stay away for a longer period of time.
As well as the basics like walking and feeding, pet sitters may also be required to administer medication, follow grooming routines or transport pets to the vets or other appointments. Some pet sitters combine their role with that of a house sitter. This usually entails staying at residential property while owners are away to ensure everything is safe and secure.
Benefits of starting a pet sitting business in Dubai
There are numerous benefits to starting a pet sitting business in Dubai.
High demand
High and increasing rates of pet ownership coupled with a population of frequent travellers create the perfect conditions for a pet sitting business. Expatriate residents often travel for work, home to visit family or on vacation to surrounding countries, leaving their precious pets in need of a trusted, experienced and compassionate companion.
Potential for premium services
Dubai’s residents are prepared to pay for high quality services – particularly when it comes to their beloved pets. Offering luxury pet care with add-ons such as grooming, activities and regular updates allows you to charge a higher price for your services.
Low startup costs
The majority of pet sitters work at owners’ houses or in public places such the park or beach. This means little in the way of startup costs or ongoing overheads. Unless you plan to offer boarding or on-site daycare services, you require little more than a trade license to get up and running.
Career fulfilment
If you’ve a passion for pets, caring for fluffy little friends is the dream job. For animal lovers, pet sitting provides a unique opportunity to interact with cat, dogs, ferrets and plenty more – and combine your caring side with a way to generate income.
Simple startup
With the right support, you can be trading as a pet sitter in Dubai in a matter of days. The UAE is built for businesses, giving you all the infrastructure, support and facilities you need to launch, thrive and expand your enterprise.
How to start a pet sitting business in Dubai: Step-by-step
Starting a pet sitting business in the UAE can appear complex at first glance. But when you work with the team at Creative Zone, we’ll help you launch your new venture in just five simple steps.
Step 1: Outline your business activities
First things first, you’ll need to clearly define your intended business activities. Failure to do so can cause issues further down the line and carrying out unlicensed activities may lead to fines or even license revocation.
Your stated activities must be chosen from the official list published by Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED). While this is usually a straightforward process, if you intend to offer additional services such as grooming or caring for pets on your own premises you will need to stipulate this on your license application.
The team at Creative Zone will help ensure that you have the correct approvals to run your business.
Step 2: Choose your company name
The second step is equally important: choosing a company name. There are a few key things to keep in mind at this stage – many that would not apply anywhere else in the world.
Be aware that you must abide by a strict set of naming conventions. In short, you should avoid any offensive or blasphemous language. Avoid names of well-known organisations and avoid abbreviations if naming your company after yourself – i.e. Dave Mann Consulting, rather than D Mann Consulting. You must also check that your chosen name is available to register.
Step 3: Making your license application
To start a pet sitting business in Dubai, you will require a professional license. This is issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Development and you can make your application online. If you wish to offer pet care services or temporarily house animals on your own premises you may also require animal welfare approvals and permits.
Once again, the Creative Zone team will guide you through this process. Get in touch to find out more.
Step 4: Making your visa applications
Finally, you’ll need to organise your visas. With the right guidance, the visa application process can be incredibly straightforward. As well as making your application, you’ll be required to submit biometric information and undergo a medical fitness test.
As the holder of a UAE business license, you can also sponsor others for their visas too. This could be a spouse, parent or child, or a domestic worker such as a housekeeper. The maximum number of visas you can apply for will depend on the size of your company, your chosen setup and, for dependant visas, your personal earnings.
Pet sitting business – Documents required
When applying for a license to start a pet sitting business in Dubai, you’ll be asked to submit the following documents:
- Copy of passport
- Emirates ID copy
- Signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Start your pet sitting business in Dubai with Creative Zone
Starting a pet sitting business in Dubai can be a complicated process – particularly if you’re new to working in the UAE.
That’s why selecting the right partner is a critical step when looking to launch and grow out here. As the most trusted advisor on business setup in Dubai, Creative Zone has been empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs with comprehensive support since 2010. With a strong reputation for assisting businesses locally and globally, we offer a complete range of solutions for all your business setup needs.
When you work with us, you get fast, reliable and unbiased advice on your unique business setup requirements. We can help you choose the right kind of license for your business activity and take you through the entire process from start to finish.
We’re here to assist every step of the way. No matter your chosen activities, legal entity or visa requirements, we’re on hand with support, guidance and expertise. So, if you’re looking to lay the foundations for life in the UAE, Creative Zone is your ideal starting point.
Contact us today to kickstart your business in Dubai.
