Challenging Perspectives: Rethinking Quality Dog Daycare
by Dewald Coetzee - Founder, Fetch Dubai
In the ever-evolving landscape of pet care, it's easy to get swept up in the glitz and glamour of Dubai. But what if I told you that the definition of quality care, as it is often presented here in Dubai, needs a second look? That's the message we're here to deliver at Fetch - a gentle nudge to reconsider what truly matters when it comes to caring for our canine companions.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis globally on holistic care - mind, body, and spirit - in the dog daycare industry. This science-backed shift is undoubtedly a step in the right direction as it gets a thumbs up from the likes of The American Veterinary Society of Behavior and The Pet Professionals Guild. Our commitment to understanding each dog’s needs, and to offer a fear-free environment, isn't just a recent development—it has been ingrained in the Fetch ethos since day one, as far back as 2015.
You see, at Fetch, we acknowledge that it’s nice to have flashy facilities and extravagant amenities, but we have always believed that true quality care goes beyond this one-dimensional approach so rampant in our community. What is being sold is that size matters, but not space, that amenities matter, but not how dogs are treated and handled. This exposes the true priorities in the current state of affairs.
We believe the dog daycare industry needs to return to taking the time to understand each dog's personality, preferences, and quirks, and tailoring the approach accordingly. Have dogs in an environment free from fear, over-arousal, and ultimately pain. Recognising the importance of the spectrum of socialisation, where not all dogs should be expected to flourish in all environments. It's about creating an environment where dogs feel safe, happy, and loved - the dog’s needs first.
Our dedication to dog-centred care isn’t just lip service—it’s backed by years of walking the walk. We’ve consistently turned down opportunities for easy money that would compromise the well-being of the dogs and the safety of our staff. Our partnership with companies like Pawfect Behaviour isn't just for show—it's a reflection of our ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of best practices and advancements in the field of dog behaviour and welfare.
But here's the thing: despite our best efforts, we know that we're not everyone's first choice, we’ve known that for years watching others in the industry being cheered on and supported for being convenient, pocket-friendly, flamboyant, big, and seen as successful. That’s okay; we have a different definition of what success looks like. Although we are in no means perfect, we have our own unique way to know our success. We find it in our almost nonexistent incident rates, and how happy the dogs in our care are. It can be found in the relief a dog shows when we send them home saying they are not appropriate for our environment, choosing their wellbeing above the few dirhams we could have made out of being their custodians by simply saying nothing. That’s what defines success for us. Because at Fetch, we're not interested in catering to the masses —we're interested in doing what's right by the dogs in our care, even if it means going against the grain.
So as you navigate the world of dog daycare and consider your options, we encourage you to think critically what quality care truly means. Is it about flashy facilities and extravagant decorations, or is it about something deeper—something rooted in compassion, continuous science-backed education, and ultimately a genuine love for animals? We'll let you be the judge.
In the meantime, know that when you choose companies like ours with a dog-centred approach, you're not just choosing a daycare or boarding facility—you're choosing a partner in your dog's well-being. Fetch, where quality care isn't just a buzzword—it's a way of life.