Published: Mon 18 Jan 2016, 11:00 PM
Updated: Tue 19 Jan 2016, 5:03 PM
Little puppies and bigger doggies in Dubai can now have a temporary address when their masters take a break away from home.
The much awaited "pet holiday hotel" facility of the Dubai Municipality has officially opened its doors to four-legged friends at the new Birds and Pets Market in Al Warsan.
The exclusive hotel for pets had been the highlight of the new market aimed at offering all pet services under one roof in Dubai ever since the project was announced years ago. However, with the official opening of the hotel this Friday, it has been revealed that it will be a facility for boarding pet dogs only.
These Sphynx cats come at a price
Some may call them the ugliest cats but some find them unique and loving. Whatever may be your take on them, a pair of hairless Sphynx cats priced at Dh10,000 each are the costliest pets sold at the new Birds and Pets Market.
The hairless breed is rarely seen in the local market according to Dubai Municipality officials. Because of the very rare nature, the Canary Island shop is allowed to sell these cats for the exorbitant rate.
These cats and macaw parrots priced in thousands of dirhams at Perfect Pets shop are among the most pricey pets in the market, which is waiting for its official opening by next month.
The Director of the Asset Management Department Khalifa Hareb told Khaleej Times the market will be officially opened in February.
Head of Markets Section Faisal Juma Al Badaiwi said 30 out of 80 shops in the market have already started their business after a soft launch. "Another 35 shops are ready for opening in a week or so. We are expecting all the shops to be operational by next month and we will have the official opening ceremony then."
The first central market for pets are dedicated for birds, cats, dogs, fish, snakes and other reptiles that are screened for their health and suitability as pets under local and international rules. The officials said the shops here also sell ordinary pets in the normal market rates as well.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com
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Local pet services company Doggies Palace, which has a bigger boarding facility in Al Quoz, has partnered with the civic body to run the facility named Doggies Palace Park and Resort on the premises of the Birds and Pets Market.
The facility has 64 indoor kennels for the pooches and over 50 of them have already been occupied by the first guests.
"We are providing boarding, grooming, socializing and training services for dogs," Hassan Mohammed Hassan, owner of the company told Khaleej Times.
The boarding facility is to support dog owners when they are out of home on vacation, picnics or other emergencies like pest control services, he said.
Owners abandoning their pets when they go on long vacations has been a recurring issue in Dubai. There are many pet boarding facilities now to tackle this issue. The new facility in the municipality's property is expected to do its bit in temporarily rehoming pet dogs while owners are away.
However, the service doesn't come for free. Owners will be charged from Dh90 to Dh100 per day depending on the size of their dog, said Hassan.
"It covers boarding, food and grooming charges.... We are also providing basic and advanced training for dogs kept here for training sessions lasting up to 20days," he said. A main trainer and two assistant trainers are supported with more than a dozen other staff to run the centre.
"Every morning the dogs will be taken outside the kennels for cleaning up the kennels. In the evening, the trainers take them to the sand play area for walking and playing," said Hassan. Doggies Palace Park and Resort is also selling dog accessories such as leashes, beds, dog food and toys for dogs.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com
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