Contrary to what those waggy tails and blissful purrs might suggest, our pets have a pretty rough time over Christmas. Think about it for a moment – how do you fancy being forced into a miniature Santa outfit and having someone else’s burnt turkey dumped in your dinner dish? Worst of all though, with owners engaged in a month-long onslaught of parties, feasts and other such revelry, this is the time of year when our furry friends miss out on the attention they deserve. And, with the city’s expats set to head off on their annual festive exodus this week, deserted pets are an especially prominent problem here in Abu Dhabi.
That’s where Tracy Webb-Collins comes in. In reaction to widespread demand from the city’s animal-loving community, she started up a pet-sitting service 18 months ago. Operating under the pseudonym of ‘Mrs Doolittle’, she has looked after everything from cats and dogs to tortoises and guinea pigs, providing their owners with crucial peace of mind as they jet around the globe on business trips and holidays.
At Dhs100 for a standard 30-minute visit, enlisting Tracy’s help certainly isn’t the cheapest option, but she believes the level of service her clients receive in return is worth it. And besides, what’s the alternative? Boarding kennels? Not according to animal expert Tracy.
‘Looking after an animal in its own home is a lot better than putting it into a kennel, which can be very traumatic for them,’ she says. ‘Cats get very stressed when they go into catteries, because of the different smells and the unfamiliar environment. Their whole daily schedule gets messed up too. It’s the same for dogs, to a certain extent. As a result, you could find that your pet won’t eat when you take it back home. Animals have their own special ways of letting their parents know they’re not happy.’
Nor does she advise taking your pet with you on your trip. ‘The cost of travelling with a pet is very expensive, and you need all sorts of documents to get them out of the country.’ Practicalities aside, it’s also another potentially damaging experience for your pet. On Etihad flights, all animals – aside from guide dogs and falcons – must travel in the cargo hold, where the stress of the dark, noisy conditions could see your cuddly companion arrive at your destination twitching like a Vietnam War veteran.
All things considered, then, a visit from Mrs Doolittle could well be the best option for your stranded critters. But what do you actually get for your money? As outlined by her website – www.mrsdoolittlespetservices.net – the process begins with a free booking consultation – which can last anywhere from 30-90 minutes – in which Tracy discusses the individual needs of your pet. From here, it’s simply a case of stepping back and leaving your pets in Tracy’s more than capable hands. ‘I’m mad about animals, so I love the fact that my job means I get to look after people’s pets,’ says Tracy. ‘I take care of all kinds of animals. For dogs I feed, I water, I do walkies – I can even stay overnight. For cats it’s the same, plus scooping litter and playing, if the pet needs it.’
Still, it’s not all belly rubs and games of fetch – Tracy’s experienced her fair share of tricky customers. ‘I once had a cat disappear into the ceiling of an apartment building. I searched high and low, opened all the cupboards because I know cats like to hide. I was looking for it for about half an hour, and all the while I could hear it meowing. Then it suddenly appeared in one of the ceiling panels, which was a real relief!’ Sounds like a safe pair of hands indeed. Which – when you’re having a post-Christmas meal snooze in an armchair on the other side of the world – is exactly what you need.
For more information on Tracy’s pet-sitting services, call 050 125 3705 or visit her website www.mrsdoolittlespetservices.net
