How To Start and Grow a Pet Care Business in Dubai With Meydan Free Zone

In Dubai, pets are family, and families want trusted care.

Valued at USD 24.4 million, the UAE’s pet care market is growing at a steady 6.4% CAGR through 2030. As the city’s expat population grows and busy lifestyles become the norm, demand for professional pet sitting services in Dubai is rising fast. From daily dog walks and cat sitting to grooming, training, and boarding, pet owners are actively looking for reliable businesses to keep their furry friends safe and cared for while they’re away.

To operate legally, pet sitters need a pet sitting business license in Dubai, which falls under the wider category of personal service activities. This ensures your business meets the right standards for safety, hygiene, and accountability, giving owners confidence in the services they choose.

Whether you’re planning to open a small-scale pet care service from home or launch a full-service pet sitting company, understanding the requirements, approvals, and costs is the first step. With the right setup, you can build a compliant business that taps into Dubai’s booming pet care market.

Pet Care Services Such As Boarding, Grooming, Sitting And Training Pets (9609.02)

This is a business activity that provides non-medical support for household animals. It focuses on the daily care and well-being of pets, offering owners professional help in looking after their animals when they cannot do so themselves.

This includes:

• Boarding services, where pets are housed temporarily in kennels, catteries, or pet hotels;
• Grooming services, such as washing, trimming, and styling to maintain hygiene and appearance;
• Pet sitting, which ensures animals are fed, exercised, and supervised either in the owner’s home or at a dedicated facility; and
• Training services, where pets are taught obedience, good behaviour, or specific skills.

What is not included under this activity are veterinary services such as check-ups, medical treatments, surgeries, or vaccinations, as those fall under separate veterinary licensing.

For example, a business licensed for this activity could operate a full-service pet care centre in Dubai, offering boarding for cats and dogs, grooming salons, in-home pet sitting, and group obedience training classes, but it would not be permitted to provide veterinary treatments like vaccinations or surgery within the same license.

Third-party approval: This business activity needs a post-license approval from Dubai Municipality (DM).

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity (9609.02) is exempt from AML requirements.