Starting a pet sitting business in Dubai can prove to be a very lucrative endeavor. Although it might be tempting to start marketing your new business right away, it is important to focus on a few important tasks first. This includes choosing the right commercial activity from the DET’s list, getting the required pet-related services license, and making sure you comply with all the rules and regulations set out by the municipality.
Over the past few years, Dubai has experienced a steady rise in pet ownership thanks to a growing expat population and the fact that more local residents are adopting cats, dogs, and other small animals as pets. In between chaotic work rosters, traveling frequently, and spending long periods of time away from home, and long holidays the demand for dependable pet care services is increasing rapidly. In 2026, pet sitting is not a niche service but an integral support system for families, landlords, and relocation professionals.
What does a pet sitting business do in Dubai?
In Dubai, pet sitting businesses offer care, feeding, walking, play, and supervision when an owner is away. The first priority is to maintain the continuity of the pet’s routine and to keep him or her comfortable in its familiar environment. Regular service provides scheduled home visits, daily feeding, litter box cleaning, dog walking, play sessions, and basic health monitoring. Sitters maintain pets’ conditions with sufficient water, regular exercise, and attention and monitor appetite, behavior, and overall physical condition to detect any early signs of concern.
Some pet sitters may provide expanded services such as overnight stays, extra house sitting and medication administration under the owner’s direction, grooming add-ons and pet taxi services needed for veterinary appointments or airport pick-ups. And some services may also allow for plant watering, mail collection and basic home supervision to be combined into joint house sitters or pet sitting packages. It is a service model focused on keeping pets in the familiar environment of home to minimize stress and behavioral disturbances from boarding facilities.
Why Dubai is ideal for a pet sitting business
There are many reasons why Dubai is ideal for a pet sitting business. This includes high levels of pet ownership, regular travel habits, and continued demand for trustworthy in-home care. The city’s lifestyle, income levels, and housing structures provide regular outlets for professional pet sitters. Expat professionals frequently travel, whether it is for work, international holidays, family visits, or other reasons, and such travel creates regular demand for temporary and long-term pet care. Those who have high disposable income have the ability to spend on high-end services that offer high levels of safety, trust, and bespoke care.
Demand continues to steadily rise for professional pet sitting services. As more people are in search of animal companions, stringent rules are in place over leaving animals unattended in buildings, and animal welfare as a whole becomes a bigger priority. Large villa communities alongside gated developments and pet-friendly residential parts have become specific customer clusters where existing operations can be scaled up rapidly. Referral partners with veterinary clinics, relocation agencies, and pet supply retailers also become important sources of organic growth for the business. Collectively, these make pet sitting a stable, scalable service business in Dubai’s changing lifestyle economy.
How to start a pet sitting business in Dubai
When you start your own pet sitting business in Dubai, you have to apply for the relevant pet-related commercial service license, adhere to all applicable health and safety regulations, and uphold the pet services guidelines of the Dubai Municipality. Approval is given after careful review of the scope of activity, operational model, and welfare standards as set out by the authorities. The most important strategic decision you will have to make at this time revolves around defining your service model.
There are many services you can choose to offer. They include at-home pet sitting, dog walking, overnight pet sitting, and daily visits. A combination of any of these services can also be offered. The selected operational model will impact various things including licensing requirements, staffing demands, insurance, and even booking systems. The model will also determine whether you establish a mobile, office-based, or remote pet sitting business.
Step-by-step process to open a pet sitting business in Dubai
If you want the process of setting up your pet sitting business in Dubai to be as quick and straightforward as possible, you need to follow certain steps. Let’s take a closer look at them:
Step 1: Choose your business activity
Choose the right type of activity that matches up with the services you will be providing (Pet Sitting, Pet Care Services, Pet Walking). The activity you picked is what would define your category for licensing the service, the services you can provide, and your legal responsibilities. Choosing the wrong activity may limit operations or postpone approvals, so the number of services that you provide should follow your business model from day one of building a business.
Step 2: Select mainland or free zone jurisdiction
Select your regional jurisdiction according to your customer base location. Pet sitting services throughout Dubai are usually predominantly mainland registration and therefore allow you to visit clients’ homes without restrictions, while free zones can fit administrative and/or booking-only models of pet services. Your jurisdiction determines where you can provide pet care, how many visas you can secure, and how flexible your day-to-day operations can be.
Step 3: Reserve your trade name
The name you use to name your pet sitting business needs to suit the concept of your business and abide by the UAE naming conventions. The name must be unique and cannot contain any religious or political references.
Step 4: Apply for initial approval
Submit passport copies, completed application forms, and a clear description of your planned services for preliminary approval. This approval confirms that the authorities accept your business concept and allows you to proceed with lease agreements, visas, and licensing documentation.
Step 5: Review pet service compliance rules
Confirm service limitations, animal welfare standards, hygiene requirements, and handling procedures in line with Dubai Municipality pet service guidelines. This step ensures that your operations meet legal welfare obligations and that your service scope does not exceed licensed permissions.
Step 6: Submit documents and obtain your license
Finalize the licensing process by submitting signed lease agreements or flexi-desk contracts, insurance confirmations, and official fee payments. Once approved, the commercial license legally authorizes your business to begin offering pet sitting services in Dubai.
Step 7: Apply for visas and open a corporate bank account
You can now apply for visas for investors and employees as required. You will also have to open a bank account for your pet sitting business in order to make and receive payments legally in the UAE.
Step 8: Set up service packages and operations
Define your pricing structure, service packages, booking policies, cancellation terms, and scheduling systems. Arrange insurance coverage, emergency protocols, client consent forms, and staff training to ensure smooth, compliant operations from launch.
Do pet sitting businesses require special approvals?
Special approvals are not usually required when offering basic pet sitting services in Dubai. Permits from the Dubai Municipality may, however, be required when offering more specialized services. The required approvals are determined by the welfare impact of the services that are offered and by how technical they are. Standard pet sitting is typically restricted to non-boarding, non-medical care that is provided at the client’s residence. Pet groomers, boarding facilities, and pet transport operators have to adhere to very strict standards relating to hygiene, temperature control, vehicle safety, and building design. It is essential that safe animal handling procedures, parasite control recommendations, and vaccination regulations are closely followed.
Businesses must operate strictly within the activities listed on their license. Do not be irresponsible and offer unauthorized transport, medical, or boarding services as it can result in hefty fines, the suspension of your business license, and even the permanent closure of your pet sitting business.
Mainland vs free zone for a pet sitting business
Selecting the proper jurisdiction for your pet sitting business is crucial as your decision will directly impact the longevity of your business. Gain an understanding of the pros and cons of mainland versus free zone setups. Mainland businesses are permitted to penetrate all residential communities, sign contracts with households, and collaborate freely with property managers and relocation firms. Free zone companies may struggle with the implementation of physical services in mainland residential areas and may require local agents or special approval to subcontract services.
Although companies operating on the mainland usually have greater privileges than their free zone counterparts, they are more expensive to establish than free zone companies. Free zones provide easier renewals and have more flexible visa rules as well. Pet sitters generally set up their business on the mainland, where they have free access to customers in Dubai and throughout the UAE. Free zone businesses are more appropriately suited for a digital-only business.
Cost of starting a pet sitting business in Dubai
The cost of opening a pet sitting business in Dubai varies depending on the type of license you need, employee requirements, the services that will be provided, and how mobile the business is. Entry-level operations are quite low-cost, but full-service businesses need more capital expenditure.
Common cost considerations to keep in mind are:
License fees
Commercial pet service licenses can range anywhere from AED 10,000 to AED 18,000 per year.
Office or flexi-desk rental
Flexi-desk packages start at AED 5,000 per annum. Physical office spaces cost considerably more.
Visa packages
Investor and employee visas cost between AED 3,500 and AED 7,000 per person.
Insurance
Public liability and pet cover typically cost between AED 2,000 and AED 6,000 per year.
Marketing and branding
Websites, booking systems, and advertising are expected to cost from AED 3,000 to AED 15,000 to set up.
Transportation costs
Vehicles, fuel, and ride services could each add AED 10,000 to AED 40,000 per year.
Annual renewal fees
All businesses have recurring costs to contend with. Common examples include license and visa renewals and insurance premiums.
Take the time to understand the various costs associated with starting a new pet sitting business in Dubai. This will make it easier to draw up a budget and plan for the long-term success of your business.
Documents required to start a pet sitting business in Dubai
When applying for your license, you will usually need to prepare several standard documents. These consist of a copy of your passport, and Emirates ID if applicable, a valid visa copy with a recent passport photograph, and your approved trade name reservation and initial approval documents. There is also an office or flexi-desk lease agreement that you will need to submit. While not compulsory, training certificates can strengthen your application.
Sometimes, authorities could request further service descriptions, consent forms, or insurance confirmations prior to final approval.
What services can a pet sitting business offer
A pet sitting company in Dubai is permitted to provide a specified range of in-home and mobile pet care services under its license. They are subject to animal welfare regulations, municipality guidelines, and all services are within the protection, safety, and non-clinical scope of practice. The purpose of these service offerings is to provide pets with the same level of undisrupted care they are accustomed to on a daily basis.
Some common services include: in-home pet sitting, daily drop-in visits, dog walking, help with feeding and medication, overnight stays, pet playtime and enrichment, pet taxi services, and house sitting combined with pet care.
Providers can offer service packages based on the length of absence, number of pets, and any special care instructions provided by owners. Advanced medical treatments, boarding, and grooming may be provided only when additional licensing, specialized facilities, and qualified personnel are present.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need qualifications to start a pet sitting business in Dubai?
Formal qualifications are not mandatory, but animal care training improves licensing credibility and client confidence.
Are pet sitters regulated by Dubai Municipality?
Pet sitters must comply with animal welfare laws and approved service scope guidelines issued by Dubai Municipality.
Can foreigners open a pet sitting business in the UAE?
Foreign nationals may open pet sitting businesses under standard UAE ownership and residency rules.
How long does it take to get the business license?
Licensing usually takes 7 to 14 working days once documents and approvals are complete.
About Set Hub
Starting a new pet sitting business is always easier when you have a trusted business setup partner by your side. Set Hub’s multilingual team, which consists of more than 80 passionate individuals, has assisted more than 25,000 unique clients over the past decade with business setup in Dubai.
Set Hub is the top choice whether you are looking for assistance with certain aspects of establishing your business, such as licensing or operational planning or need someone to walk alongside you for the duration of the journey. Contact the team today to launch your pet sitting business in Dubai with confidence, legal clarity, and long-term growth support.