Animal lovers in the UAE have the opportunity to experience the joy of bonding with pets without actually owning one. Several cafes and petting farms across the country allow residents to interact with various animals, providing a unique pet bonding experience for those who cannot adopt pets due to space, cost, or health constraints. Studies have shown that petting and cuddling with animals can have positive effects on people’s health, reducing anxiety and depression while increasing the production of oxytocin, the ‘happy hormone.’
One place in the UAE that offers a unique pet experience is the Pet Me Pet Cafe located in Oasis Centre Dubai. Visitors can play with small dogs and enjoy cuddling sessions with over 15 well-trained, vaccinated, and friendly breeds. The cafe is open daily from 10am to 8pm, with 30-minute cuddling sessions available for visitors to enjoy the company of these adorable pets.
For those who are fans of owls, the Owl Cafe at Boomah in Abu Dhabi offers a magical experience of interacting with various breeds of owls, including spectacled owls, rock eagle owls, short-eared owls, tawny owls, and milky owls. The cafe, supposedly the first of its kind in the Middle East, is open from 2pm to 10pm on weekdays and 12pm to 12am on weekends, allowing visitors to experience the beauty and wonder of these majestic birds up close.
Cat lovers can visit the Cat Cafe Vibrissae in Safa Park complex and Dubai Creek Harbour to enjoy interacting with furry felines while sipping on a cup of coffee. Priced at Dh70 for an hour with the cats and a beverage or snack, the cafe has rules in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the cats, such as not disturbing sleeping cats, maintaining clean hands, and refraining from feeding the animals.
Those who want to spend time with dogs and contribute to a good cause can visit the Stray Dog Centre in Umm Al Quwain, where free dog walking sessions are held every weekend. Volunteers above 14 years old can also groom the dogs and participate in socialization sessions to overcome their fear of dogs in a safe environment.
Horse enthusiasts can visit Al Jiyad Stables in Al Qudra for group rides or private lessons, with a special pricing package available until the end of September. For those interested in wild animals, the Green Planet offers a unique experience where visitors can meet exotic animals like armadillos and bearded dragons, observe piranhas feeding, explore the region’s only bat cave, and even discuss future career options with a biologist. Whether it’s petting dogs, cuddling with owls, interacting with cats, riding horses, or exploring the world of exotic animals, there are plenty of opportunities in the UAE for animal lovers to enjoy a fulfilling pet experience.
