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Well, seems the wifey has some extra time on her hands and wants to get into the pet business (she loves dogs and has two of her own).

So... just thought Id ask all pet owners in the UAE what they find missing here, or what they would like to see for their pets.

There are a few pet stores in the UAE but not that many. What we are considering is either a dog grooming business with some cool accessories being sold on the side. Or maybe an online pet store (not so sure about this one since the US market might be a bette bet for online pet stores, but just trying to figure out the pet market potential here)..

Any advice from y'all would be appreciated!

kanelli, chocs and concord should be able to give some pointers

jag wrote:Well, seems the wifey has some extra time on her hands and wants to get into the oet business (she loves dogs and has two of her own).

So... just thought Id ask all pet owners in the UAE what they find missing here, or what they would like to see for their pets.

There are a few pet stores in the UAE but not that many. What we are considering is either a dog grooming business with some cool accessories being sold on the side. Or maybe an online pet store (not so sure about this one since the US market might be a bette bet for online pet stores, but just trying to figure out the pet market potential here)..

Any advice from y'all would be appreciated!

jag,

Don't know much about pets my only dealings with them are: our dog lets us leave in "his" house; plus some fish in a tank and in a pond! I also volunteer a few hours a week at K9 Friends doing whatever needs doing.

I don't know what "oet business" means either but,

1. There appear to be enough pet stores, and kennels in Dubai.
2. Most super and hypermarkets have their own pet isle.
3. There are a few grooming business already (one of the volunteers at K9 friends does that for a living).

Now if the idea of the busines is for your wifey to use the spare time and not becuase the money is needed then perhaps;

1. She could volunteer at K9 Friends or Feline Friends - for starters she can network with other like minded people (i.e. care for animals).
2. Work at a vets office.
3. Work at a pet store.
4. Invest and open up the business and see what happens. She will be occupied whether it is successful or not!
5. Becamo a pet advocate (see story about dog fighting in another thread).

if the above fails:
6. She can buy a nice beach chair and umbrella & subscribe to a number of magazines and let you bring "home the bacon". Beaches are nice in Dubai I spent 10 minutes there once!

All the best.

Good advice Concord.

Actually, I believe that there are not enough kennels and catteries in the UAE - the existing ones are booked almost 6 months in advance in many cases. Many pets are abandoned outside during the holidays by people who can't find housing and care for their pets when they are away - or they find the costs too expensive. In-home petsitting services would help in this area, so that would be one area to consider. I'm not sure what kind of qualifications you need to be able to run an actual kennel or cattery, so the petsitting service is a good idea.

Petland, Petzone, Ace Hardware etc. all have a decent selection of pet products. There are mobile pet grooming services like Shampooch (cool pink and green vans you see around Dubai), and other individuals provide pet grooming services. These areas seem pretty well covered.

K9 Friends and Feline Friends could always use volunteers and foster homes for cats and dogs waiting to find a permanent home.

Concord wrote:

jag wrote:Well, seems the wifey has some extra time on her hands and wants to get into the oet business (she loves dogs and has two of her own).

So... just thought Id ask all pet owners in the UAE what they find missing here, or what they would like to see for their pets.

There are a few pet stores in the UAE but not that many. What we are considering is either a dog grooming business with some cool accessories being sold on the side. Or maybe an online pet store (not so sure about this one since the US market might be a bette bet for online pet stores, but just trying to figure out the pet market potential here)..

Any advice from y'all would be appreciated!

jag,

Don't know much about pets my only dealings with them are: our dog lets us leave in "his" house; plus some fish in a tank and in a pond! I also volunteer a few hours a week at K9 Friends doing whatever needs doing.

I don't know what "oet business" means either but,

1. There appear to be enough pet stores, and kennels in Dubai.
2. Most super and hypermarkets have their own pet isle.
3. There are a few grooming business already (one of the volunteers at K9 friends does that for a living).

Now if the idea of the busines is for your wifey to use the spare time and not becuase the money is needed then perhaps;

1. She could volunteer at K9 Friends or Feline Friends - for starters she can network with other like minded people (i.e. care for animals).
2. Work at a vets office.
3. Work at a pet store.
4. Invest and open up the business and see what happens. She will be occupied whether it is successful or not!
5. Becamo a pet advocate (see story about dog fighting in another thread).

if the above fails:
6. She can buy a nice beach chair and umbrella & subscribe to a number of magazines and let you bring "home the bacon". Beaches are nice in Dubai I spent 10 minutes there once!

All the best.

hehe, some good advice! Not doing it for the money, but rather enjoyment I guess there are enough pet stores already but we were more interested in an online version, but that would be more appropriate for the USD 30 billion pet industry in the USA!

Oh well, lets see what pans out..

I can source some top quality pet products from Hong Kong, mainly for Dogs and Cats. Let me know if you are interested.

thanks.