Travelling to a foreign country with your pet can be a stressful experience if you are not aware of what awaits. So what do you need to know about taking a pet to Zagreb, how pet-friendly is the city, and what facilities are available for our four-legged friends?
Pets are very popular in Croatia, and Croatians have a very relaxed attitude towards them. They are a common sight in cafes, where waiters will often bring a bowl of water for them after serving you coffee. While pets are welcome in many cafes, it is worth check to see if there is a sign or asking the waiter before sitting down.
(Photo credit Boska and Kreso)
With its abundant parks and green open spaces, Zagreb is a great city for walking dogs and for letting them off their leash to run around. Please note, however, that there are several places in the city where pets are not permitted. These include children playgrounds, sports fields, cemeteries, open-air markets, school and kindergarten grounds. While walking your dog, you should keep it on a leash, and faeces should obviously be cleaned up after them.
Looking for somewhere local to let your dog run around off the leash? Check out the map of locations above.
If you are looking for a little culture for your pet, however, there are currently two attractions which accept pets – Zagreb 360 and the Ethnographic Museum.
When it comes to public transport in the city, pets are welcome, but there are a few conditions, and generally they must pay their way. Free transport for pets is restricted to guide and rehabilitation dogs, as well as smaller pets (less than 30 cm in length). These should be carried in a pet container and can therefore ride for free. For all the rest, enter the public transport, muzzle the animal, and buy a ticket.
(Photo credit J. Duval)
One of the challenges of a busy owner is finding enough time to give one’s dog the exercise it needs, and this can be more challenging in a foreign city. Thankfully, help is at hand with a growing number of English-language services offered by locals to cater to this market. These include dog boarding, cat boarding, pet grooming, dog walking and even a pet taxi service. These services are available by the day or by the walk. You can learn more about the options here. There are also some overnight options for leaving your pet in good hands if you need to be elsewhere.
Croatia has a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation, both private and hotels, and these are usually labelled on their websites. If you are looking to browse to see what options are available in Croatia, there is a very useful website, PovediMe, which offers a number of options. And if you are looking to really pamper your pet, check out the VIP service at luxury 5-star Hotel Esplanade.
(Photo credit J. Duval)
If you are looking to adopt a pet or to help out financially, there are two dog shelters in Zagreb which are online – Domovec and Noina Arka.
When it comes to feeding your pet, there are several interesting options in addition to the usual supermarket selection. Health conscious and looking for the best organic options? Hov Hov is the first dog bakery in the city, with a BIO organic certificate for dog treats. The most comprehensive offer, however, comes from Pet Centar, which has several locations all over the city, and which also has an outstanding and very efficient online shopping system, which adds a layer of convenience.
Should you need medical assistance for your pet while visiting the city, there are a number of vets all over the city. Find out which one is closest to you in this map. English will be widely spoken.
And finally, for the latest rules on travelling to Croatia with pets, you can find the latest official advice here.
Zagreb is a pet-friendly city, and waiting for your visit.
For more news about Zagreb, follow the dedicated TCN section.
