Is Aba Pet-Friendly? My Ghost Hunting Dog and I Investigate Parks, Vets, and the Scary Bits
i've been roaming aba with my EMF meter slung over my shoulder and my golden retriever benny panting beside me for the past three weeks, trying to answer the question on every expat's mind: is aba actually pet-friendly? i'm not your typical pet blogger; i chase ghosts for a living, but i also chase after benny when he bolts after a squirrel. so i set out to find the best parks and vet services in aba, with a pinch of paranormal spice.
before we dive, here's a quick look at aba's layout:
the weather in aba right now is a sticky, oppressive heat that makes your shirt stick to your back like a second skin. it's the kind of humidity that turns hair into a wilted mess. i heard the monsoon rains will hit in a few weeks, but for now, it's a furnace. the good news? if you can't stand it, port harcourt is just a two-hour drive west, and lagos is a short one-hour flight if you need a proper ocean breeze.
now, a quick reality check about aba: the city's job market is intense; most folks hustle in the informal sector - think market stalls, leather workshops, and okada (motorcycle taxi) driving. unemployment hovers around 30%, but if you've got a skill, you can carve out a niche. rent? a one-bedroom in a decent area like factory road or GRA will set you back about 300,000 naira a month (roughly $700 at the black-market rate). you can crash in a shared house for 80k-120k, but you'll be fighting for bathroom time. safety-wise, aba's got a reputation for petty theft - pickpockets love crowded markets, and night travel on some streets like ohafia road is risky. still, during the day, it's generally okay if you keep your wits about you. oh, and the police? they're around, but corruption is a thing; i've had to smooth-talk my way out of a “toll” at a checkpoint. just be respectful and you'll be fine.
with that out of the way, let's talk green spaces - because benny needs his zoomies and i need a place to set up my ghost-hunting gear without looking completely insane. i visited three main spots: aba civic park, ogbor hill park, and the unofficial dog-walker's stretch along the aba-port harcourt expressway.
aba civic park sits near the city centre, tucked behind the civic centre. it's a small patch of grass with a few benches, some shade trees, and a cracked fountain that never works. it's packed with office workers during lunch, and you'll see a few locals walking their mutts. dogs are technically not allowed off-leash, but most owners ignore the sign. i've been there at 6 a.m. and it's peaceful, with the occasional jogger. at night? forget it - the lights are dim, and i've heard whispers of muggings. also, the ghost rumor: 'the old colonial officer still walks his hound here after dark; i've heard the phantom bark echo across the empty field.' that's one of those nuggets you hear at the kebab stand. it's probably nonsense, but i brought my EMF meter anyway; it spiked once near the statue. maybe it's just faulty wiring.
> 'that park's haunted, i'm telling you. my friend saw a ghost dog with glowing eyes near the fountain. it vanished into thin air. stay clear after midnight.' - overheard from a night watchman at the civic centre.
ogbor hill park is the city's biggest green space, about a 15-minute drive from the centre, perched on a hill that gives you a view of the whole aba valley. it's got proper picnic areas, a small playground, and a walking trail that loops around the hill. dogs are welcome, and many owners let them off-leash in the open fields. the vibe is more relaxed; you'll see families, fitness buffs, and the occasional yoga group. i set up my tent here one weekend to do a ghost vigil, but the only spirits we encountered were the ones from the cheap local gin. still, the park is well-maintained, with security guards during the day. at dusk, they lock the gates, so don't get caught inside after hours unless you want to pay a fine. the hill itself is a great spot for photos - i took the shot below on a clear afternoon. (here's that mountains picture, even though it's not exactly aba, but it gives you the vibe.)
the stretch of grass along the aba-port harcourt expressway near the flyover has become a de-facto dog run. it's not an official park, but it's fenced off from traffic, so locals bring their pets here to play fetch. there's no shade, so early morning or late evening is best. i've met a handful of regulars - a lady with three chihuahuas, a guy who trains his belgian malinois for security work. it's gritty, but functional. watch out for broken glass and occasional street preachers, but that's aba for you.
> 'that strip near the expressway is where they dump dead dogs. i wouldn't let my pet go there.' - a vendor i talked to while buying benny a chew toy.
now, onto the second part: keeping benny healthy. i researched and visited four vet clinics in aba. here's the lowdown, straight from my notepad and from what i overheard at the market.
dr. chukwuemeka's animal hospital on factory road is the go-to emergency place. they're open 24/7, have an x-ray machine, and the staff actually know what they're doing. benny had a run-in with a cement bag that tore his paw; they stitched him up and gave antibiotics. total bill: 35,000 naira. the consultation fee is 5,000, plus meds. they also offer vaccinations and neutering. i saw a sign that said 'ghosts welcome? no, but we treat all animals equally.' that made me chuckle. the clinic is clean, but the waiting room can be packed, so bring a book.
paw care clinic, near ariaria market, is smaller and family-run. prices are lower: consultation 3,000, deworming 2,000, and they have a decent stock of affordable flea treatments. however, they only handle basic stuff; for surgeries they refer you to chukwuemeka's. also, the waiting area is cramped, and the ac often breaks down in the heat. i took benny there for a routine checkup, and the vet was thorough but seemed rushed. still, for routine shots, it's a solid budget option.
aba veterinary centre on asa road is the fancy one. marble floors, a pet hotel upstairs, and a pharmacy that stocks imported dog food. consultation starts at 10,000 naira, and a full blood panel will set you back 50k. they have a reputation for being top-notch, but some locals say it's overpriced for what you get. i haven't tried it, but i've heard they once treated a rare parrot from a local zoo. if you're flush and want a spa-like experience for your pet, this might be it.
rapid vet on the enugu-port harcourt expressway is best avoided, according to gossip. there's a story about a cat that went in for a simple injection and never walked out. i heard the vet misdiagnosed a simple infection as something deadly and the cat died overnight. the owner posted a rant on nairaland that got hundreds of comments. i'd steer clear unless you're desperate.
> 'dr. chukwuemeka saved my german shepherd from a snakebite. but beware of the fake vets around the market; some of them just sell herbs and pray.' - a regular i met at ogbor hill.
for food, toys, and leashes, there's 'pet world' in the new market area. they sell a range of local and imported products. prices are decent - a bag of pedigree goes for about 8,000 naira for 10kg. they also have chew toys, collars, and even pet-friendly shampoos. but beware of knock-offs; some things are cheap imitations that fall apart after a week. i usually go there for the basics, then hit the smaller stalls for handmade leashes. one stall sells 'magic' leashes that are supposed to calm aggressive dogs. yeah, right.
sometimes after a stressful vet visit, i like to imagine i'm somewhere else - like this serene water scene (which i definitely didn't find in aba) to calm my nerves.
if you want more opinions from fellow pet owners, check out the tripadvisor thread on aba's green spaces: TripAdvisor - Aba Attractions. for vets, yelp has a few listings, though it's sparse: Yelp - Veterinarians in Aba. also, the r/abia subreddit occasionally has posts about pet-friendly spots; you can browse r/Abia for the latest chatter. and nairaland's aba pets section is a goldmine of local gossip: Nairaland - Aba Pets Discussion.
so, is aba pet-friendly? i'd say yes, with caveats. you'll find green spaces if you know where to look, and vet care is decent if you stick to the reputable clinics. the heat and chaotic traffic can be tough on pets, so bring water and avoid midday walks. and watch out for the ghost stories - they might just be the wind howling through the trees, but they add a certain charm to late-night strolls. overall, benny seems to love it, and my ghost-hunting career hasn't suffered (much). if you're moving to aba with a furball, i hope this guide saves you some time - and maybe a few ectoplasmic encounters.
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