Honeymoon Pet Care In The UAE

If you have a pet, one of the more unusual items on your to do list will be to arrange pet care for whilst you are away on your honeymoon. With all the usual stresses before a wedding and with so many things to sort out, the issue of what to do with your pet can often be forgotten until almost the last minute; but it can also be one of the most emotional decisions to make at an already anxious time. Our pets are like family members, and we often can’t bear the thought of leaving them by themselves for an extended period, especially when they’ve probably already been neglected during the run up to your wedding.

If you’re not one of the lucky ones who can rely on a good friend to take care of your pet for you, you will need to begin researching the numerous pet care facilities in the UAE well ahead of time. But how do you know which places are all for show and which actually have a genuine love for the animals in their care? Laura Park from Positive Paws, a dog day care and boarding centre located in Al Quoz, gives us her expert advice on what to look out for, and the important questions to ask. This advice is predominantly for those who have dogs, but is applicable for all pets.

Positive Paws give Bride Club ME readers advice about choosing a ‘second home’ for their pets.

Firstly, ensure that your dog has been fully vaccinated, including against Kennel Cough. Double check that the facility requests this and enforces it for all dogs who visit. Something that not many people consider is checking the centre’s fire protection and prevention system. Do they have sprinklers, smoke detectors and a smoke alarm? What is their emergency evacuation plan? Also, in regard to the general safety of your pet, you should make sure that canine first aiders are on the premises at all times, and that there are an adequate number of first aid kits in the facility. The centre should be clean and hygienic, with suitable kennel sizes for each dog. Make sure that each kennel is secure and safe from any hazards, with adequate ventilation and air conditioning. There should be structured feeding times and staff should be qualified.

Important questions to ask the pet care facility:

♡ How long will my pet be inside his or her accommodation each day?
♡ Where are the toilet facilities for the pets?
♡ Is there someone on site twenty four hours a day?
♡ What happens if my pet is ill or injured?

It is imperative to find out if your dog will be socialising with other dogs during his or her stay. If so, these are the standards and guidelines that each centre should follow:

♡ Thorough assessment should be conducted prior to entry by a senior UK qualified member of staff
♡ A written questionnaire relating to the dog’s behavioural and medical history must be completed by each owner
♡ Testing of the dog’s willingness to be handled, responsiveness to training cues, level of interest and social skills interacting with other dogs should be carried out
♡ There should be adequate supervision; i.e. a low dog to staff ratio, with experienced staff
♡ The centre should offer a safe, secure and supportive environment for your dog to interact with other dogs and staff
♡ There should be a quiet, secure rest area for all dogs to have structured rest times throughout the day and overnight in individual kennels

Bear in mind that it is unnatural and unhealthy for your dog to have as much as eight hours uninterrupted play per day without sufficient nap or rest times. Daycare businesses that promote ‘your dog plays ALL day’ misunderstand their responsibility to provide a balance of activities and rest times.

In a country where people tend to travel frequently, it’s important to make sure that your pet care centre follows all of the above. A honeymoon is a chance to relax and spend time with your new husband, not to be constantly worried about the pets you have left behind. Make sure you do your research, or ask a trusted friend to look after your pet for you.

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