Choosing the Right Pet Sitting Company
A Comprehensive Guide
Choosing the Right Pet Sitting Company in the UAE:
A Comprehensive Guide
As pet ownership continues to grow in the UAE, many pet owners find themselves needing reliable care for their furry companions when life gets busy. Whether it’s a business trip, a vacation, or simply a busy day at work, choosing the right pet sitting company is crucial to ensure your pets are safe, happy, and comfortable in your absence. In this guide, we’ll take you through essential factors to consider when selecting the right pet sitting company in the UAE.
1. Understand Your Pet’s Needs
Before you start your search, it’s important to clearly understand your pet’s specific requirements. Different pets have different needs, and the ideal pet sitter for a cat may not be suitable for a dog or a more exotic pet. Consider:
- Type of Pet: Cats, dogs, birds, or reptiles require different levels of attention and care. Make sure the company you choose has experience with your type of pet.
- Daily Routine: Some pets may need daily walks or playtime, while others just need feeding and a clean space.
- Special Needs: If your pet has medical conditions or requires specific medication, you’ll need a pet sitter familiar with such responsibilities.
At Perfect Paws all our sitters are experienced with a a variety of different types of pets, and we always run through their needs with you to ensure their care and safety is maintained to the highest standard.
2. Check for Professionalism and Certification
The UAE is home to many pet sitting companies, but not all offer the same level of professionalism. Look for companies that:
– Are licensed and insured: This ensures that the pet sitting company operates legally and provides some security in case anything goes wrong.
– Have certified pet sitters: Certification in animal care, behaviour, and pet first aid shows that sitters are trained to handle different situations responsibly.
– Are affiliated with reputable organisations: Being a member of local or international pet care organisations can indicate a commitment to high standards of care.
Perfect Paws Operates differently to all other companies within the UAE, we do not have part time sitters and concentrate on having only fully certified and trained full time sitters, all sitters regulary complete recognised course and training. We are members of the Pet Sitting International organisation ensuring strict rules are followed and have joined forces with other amazing local businesses to offer more services to all our fury customers.
3. Read Reviews and Testimonials
One of the best ways to gauge the quality of a pet sitting company is by reading reviews from other pet owners. In the UAE, many companies will have a strong online presence, so check:
- Google Reviews: Look for companies with a high rating and positive comments about reliability and care, be wary of companies that hide their google reviews.
- Social Media Feedback: Pet owners often share their experiences on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, where you can see photos and videos of how pets are treated.
- Word of Mouth: Ask friends, family, or your vet for recommendations.
With our passion for safety, security and customer service, Perfect Paws has a fully legit 5 star google review, we are also a fully verified business through trust pilot.
4. Personalised Services
Every pet is unique, and a good pet sitting company will offer services tailored to your pet’s needs. When choosing, ask if they can:
- Provide home visits, overnight stays or live in sitters: Pets like cats do better in their familiar environment, while some companies offer home boarding at the sitters home, this service is technically not licenced within the UAE.
- Follow specific instructions: Whether it’s feeding times, walking schedules, or particular grooming habits, the sitter should be flexible enough to cater to your pet’s routine.
- Offer special services: This may include overnight stays, administering medication, or even sending you regular updates with photos or videos while you’re away.
At Perfect Paws we ask a lot of questions to ensure your pets schedule is kept to the best of our ability, all special requestions will be taken care of and all customers are signed up to our portal and app where they receive lots of photos, videos and even an end of visit report.
5. Meet and Greet Before Committing
Before committing to a pet sitting company, it’s always a good idea to schedule a meet and greet. This allows your pet to get familiar with the sitter and lets you observe how the sitter interacts with your pet. During this meeting, discuss:
– Your pet’s routine, behaviour, and any special needs.
– How the sitter plans to manage emergencies or unexpected situations.
– Any particular concerns you might have about leaving your pet in someone else’s care.
Our meet and greets are a requirement for all customers, they are extremely important to ensure the care given is to the highest standard.
6. Availability and Reliability
A reputable pet sitting company will be transparent about their availability. Make sure:
- They can accommodate your schedule: Whether it’s during peak holiday seasons, weekends, or last-minute bookings, ensure the company can meet your needs.
- They have backup sitters: In case your assigned sitter is unavailable, the company should have a backup plan to avoid last-minute cancellations.
- They provide consistent updates: A responsible company will keep you informed with regular updates, including photos and progress reports about your pet’s well-being.
Perfect paws will always advise at time of booking the availability, during peak seasons we fill up fast and many people book months in advance for the holiday season. Once booked you can be assured that your pet will never be left, we have strict policies in case of emergencies and a replacement sitter will always attend.
7. Cost and Packages
Pet sitting prices in the UAE can vary depending on the level of service, the duration, and the type of pet. When comparing costs:
– Ask about packages that suit your budget — some companies offer daily, weekly, or even monthly packages.
– Ensure that the pricing is transparent: Hidden fees can add up quickly, so be clear about what’s included in the package (e.g., walks, feeding, playtime, etc.).
– Remember that the cheapest option is not always the best, a good pet sitting company id not always the cheapest but you know that the sitters attending are fully certified to offer the care needed.
Perfect Paws Offers many different packages to suit all different requirements, we do not have any hidden fees and all our pricing is all on our website.
8. Location and Accessibility
Pet sitters should travel to your home, some may offer in-home care at their location, however this is officially not a licenced activity within the UAE so we suggest caution to this service. Ensure that the company’s base is easily accessible to your area, larger cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, traffic and travel times can be an issue which can cause delays.
Perfect Paws is a small company, offering a more friendly approach and where you feel like part of the family, with this in mind we are not able to cover all areas of Dubai, to join our family please check we cover your location.
9 Trust Your Instincts
Lastly, trust your instincts. You know your pet better than anyone, and if something feels off during the selection process, it might be best to continue your search. Your pet’s happiness and comfort should be your top priority, and a trustworthy pet sitting company will go out of its way to make both you and your pet feel at ease.
This is where we shine, at perfect paws its our goal not only to have the best certified and trained sitters, but to make your travel stress free and for you to feel relaxed with us. Its important to us that we also build a good relationship not only with the fury customers but their parents too.
Conclusion
Choosing the right pet sitting company in the UAE can be a stress-free experience if you take the time to do your research and consider your pet’s individual needs. By ensuring the company is professional, reliable, and dedicated to personalised care, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your beloved pet is in safe hands while you’re away. Happy travels!
