Pet Boarding in Abu Dhabi: what to know
Abu Dhabi spreads from the apartment towers of the island and Al Reem to the newer communities on Saadiyat, Yas and Al Raha and the villa suburbs of Khalifa City and Al Reef. Distances are long and many residents commute, so help with daily walks, visits and trips makes a real difference.
Tower living on Al Reem and the Corniche means lifts, lobbies and building pet rules, while villa areas like Khalifa City and Al Reef usually have gardens. Share access details and any community rules with your provider when you book.
Heat and weather in Abu Dhabi
Summers in Abu Dhabi are long and very hot, with daytime highs often above 40°C from May to September and high humidity near the coast. Plan outdoor time for early morning or after dark in summer; winter months are pleasant for longer walks.
Ask how the host keeps pets cool during the day, where your pet will sleep, and how outdoor time is handled in summer. Pack familiar bedding and enough food for the whole stay.
Planning around the seasons in Abu Dhabi
Stays around school holidays, Eid and the winter break are the first to book up, so plan ahead and try a single night first if your pet hasn't boarded before. During the hot months (June to September), ask how outdoor time is scheduled.
Before you book
Hosts can offer extras such as daily photo updates, pick-up and drop-off, special food, medication or extra play time — shown before you book.
Keep vaccination records and any municipal registration for your pet current — your provider may ask to see them before the first booking.
OnlyPaw is available worldwide. Because it's a marketplace, the boarding hosts you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
Pet Boarding in Abu Dhabi — FAQ
Is pet boarding available in Abu Dhabi?
OnlyPaw is available worldwide. Because it's a marketplace, the boarding hosts you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet boarding cost in Abu Dhabi?
Boarding hosts in Abu Dhabi set their own prices in AED, so you see each provider's rate before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are boarding hosts in Abu Dhabi vetted?
Every boarding host in Abu Dhabi must submit a government ID, a selfie and photos of the home or boarding area, and pass a pet-safety knowledge test with a 70% pass mark. The OnlyPaw team reviews each application — and each additional service — before it goes live.
What should I pack for my pet's boarding stay in Abu Dhabi?
Enough of your pet's usual food for every night plus a spare day, any medication with written instructions, a lead and collar with ID, familiar bedding or a toy, and your vet's contact details. Add everything to the booking notes too.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
