Across the global community management industry, there are three “Ps” that can lead to challenging situations for the people running residential communities, and the people living in them.  These are people, parking and pets.  Here, Francis Giani, Chief Community Management Officer at Nakheel, discusses the third “P”, examining the challenges, regulations – and opportunities – when it comes to four legged friends in Dubai. 

Dubai is extremely receptive towards pet ownership, an example of the emirate’s open-minded, tolerant approach to welcoming people from all walks of life and embracing all choices of lifestyle. And with an estimated 1.3 million pets in the UAE, finding a pet-friendly community in which to live is paramount for many residents.

Thousands of families and individuals across Dubai are pet owners, with dogs and cats being integral to the household. Over the last 18 months, when working from home has, for many, been the norm, more people decided to welcome a new member into their family in the form of a four-legged friend.  

Pet ownership is often the basis of residents’ choice of somewhere to live, which is why animal-friendly communities with facilities for dogs and cats are increasingly becoming high on the agenda for both pet owners and community managers. 

But there is an important balance to be struck between presenting a dog-friendly community and one that also caters to people who do not own, do not like or are fearful of animals. 

Pet owners want safe, clean facilities – such as dedicated pet zones – for their animals. For those who don’t have a four-legged friend, opinions are divided:  some want specific areas for pets so that other zones are dog-free, while others would prefer to see no animals in their community at all. 

The last 18 months has seen a sharp upswing in the number of families moving to larger homes with outdoor space, with many residents swapping apartments for villas with private gardens – with pet ownership a key driver.  

Keeping a pet friendly community ticking over to everybody’s liking means making sure that owners are aware of – and stick to – the rules.  The Dubai Municipality sets and enforces regulations on pet ownership and has the power to take action when laws are flouted. However, it is also the developer’s or community management company’s responsibility to ensure that rules and regulations are properly communicated. 

At Nakheel, we regularly remind owners of the simple rules to follow – such as keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after their pet –ensuring harmonious living for all.  We also recognise the need for more pet-friendly facilities and, last year, declared Palm Jumeirah’s The Pointe and Palm West Beach as designated dog-friendly destinations. More initiatives at our other communities are being explored.  

Nakheel Community Management also acknowledges the challenges of stray animals – cats in particular – and is open to engaging with Dubai authorities on Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) programmes, which help prevent more homeless animals roaming the streets.  In addition, we want open dialogue and more education among the pet-owning fraternity to ensure they know that help is at hand when challenges arise, such as no longer being able to keep a pet, perhaps due to relocation from the UAE. While most responsible owners take their dog or cat with them when they leave, those who are unable to must be reminded that simply abandoning their animal is not an option, and that they should, at minimum, seek help from a dog rescue organisation to ensure the pet is rehomed as it deserves. 

It’s also vital that residents understand the legal consequences of keeping, exotic animals at home. In my 20-plus years in community management, I’ve come across cases of gazelles, anacondas, camels and other wild animals at private residences. In the UAE, only certain breeds of domestic pets are permitted, with tough penalties for those who flout the law.