doggy daycare? (also in.dog section)

SarahRicoh

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Just putting out an idea to see if people would be intrested! Also how much theyd be willing to pay?

I know a lot of people offer doggy daycare/pet sitting etc but im thinking along the lines of a creche for dogs..

Massive indoor/outdoor area. Outdoors they can toilet/run/play/training.
Indoors loads of toys,agility equip,digging pits etc... Room for dogs to sleep. Dogs can be fed and training included (ie. For puppies).. Dogs get constant people/dog company and all needs met. Also place will be open.in evenings(winter really) so people can exercise their dogs out of the rain/cold/dark & use equipment.

Think people would use it & how much do you think people would pay? :)
 
We are opening one next year and all I can say is to do your research in the area you are going to open. If your local customers want it then yes go for it if not maybe reconsider.

As for price again that depends what you think your locality can afford.
 
Only thing that would worry me is, if you have lots of dogs running loose, the possibility of fights is quite high. Other than that, it sounds lovely! Much more fun than being home alone whilst owners work. XX
 
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i put my pampered pooch into doggy daycare whilst i was at work after we lost her OH, my beloved ollie (:() and i didn't want her to stay home alone until we got another pooch to keep her company.

We paid £12/day. It was £15 for her to stay the night if she needed to.

I wouldn't hesitate to use her again, she was fab and not a cage in sight! Although she could've done with one cage for a certain overweight norfork terrier known as fat harry and the little chubster ripped the feathers out of my most favourite toggi riding coat in the world. Little ****.

However, Daisy was super happy which meant i was super relaxed about leaving her there whilst i was at work :)
 
I think it's an excellent idea. I only recently heard about Doggy Daycare from a Canadian friend (they are quite common out there I believe).
If something like that existed near me I would use it (and feel able to have another dog even though I work full time:))

ETA: the doggy daycare my friend uses in Canada sounds better than childrens daycare we have in the UK. LOL. Her dog has lots of friends and comes home exhausted and happy after her daycare day :)
 
Sarah,

I use one for my three dogs costs me 30 euro a day for all three.

Only female and neutered dogs are allowed and they all have to be vaccinated against Kennel Cough along with all the other normal vaccinations.

Fabulous facility and it means I can go off for the day knowing they are having fun and getting company.
 
Thanks guys :) all dogs would be introduced properly and surpervised constantly to avoid fights!!

How do i go about seeing if people in my area would use it?
Thanks :)

I think you should just ask everyone you meet and consider your location aswell in that do you have a sufficient likely customer base. I'm assuming you have your own premises as without I don't think you could make the figures stack up and there is a lot to get 'right' to get your council license and insurance.
 
Be prepared to have a fight on your hand for the siting - not many people want a hangar full of barking dogs anywhere near them if they can help it :(
 
My dog walker is in the process of setting one up which is a shame as she won't be dog walking anymore once it starts and doggy day care is too. Expensive for 2 dogs at 15 pounds a day! I currently pay 9 for a half hour walk for both of them so loads cheaper
 
Thanks guys :) all dogs would be introduced properly and surpervised constantly to avoid fights!!

How do i go about seeing if people in my area would use it?
Thanks :)

If people use Kennels they're likely to use doggy daycare - tbh i think kennels cost around the same! People won't pay a lot more for doggy daycare in comparison to the kennels but if you do some market research and find out exactly what people do pay you'll have a good idea of what you can expect to charge.

You need a licence for it as well btw - but you've probably already covered that. You'll be limited to a certain amount of dogs per day. Our lady was limited to 7 i think.

:)
 
Great idea and I'm sure you'll have a good business provided you aren't too far from a reasonable population. Both sexes in a couple are often obliged to work these days and feel they can't give a home to a dog and then leave it alone for so long. Doggie daycare fills that gap and makes a dog possible. Doggie daycare is very popular in the States and I'm sure it will catch on here.
 
Thanks everyone.. I currently work in a kennels so i know prices etc and we are a very doggy area..

I think it would be a great business and im very passionate bout starting one up :)

as id be doing it with my friend would we have a higher limit of dogs?
 
I would certainly say there's a market for it. Although there are two of you running the business, I would still be very careful how many dogs you have together. I've used doggy day care in the past for my dog when he was a pup which was great until I came to collect him at a time I said I was going to come round and the owners weren't home. They kept me waiting for 30 minutes and found my pup had been locked up in a cage for the afternoon! Thankfully my dog comes to work with me now, and on the days when I'm busy, my dog walker effectively has him for the day and he stays round his house with a couple of other dogs to play with. I feel comfortable with that arrangement as there aren't millions of dogs running riot and he's in a relaxed, home environment! I've worked in kennels before and personally don't feel like I have a great deal of control when there are more than five dogs loose together. Defintely do some market research: maybe drop some questionaires round some houses or go to parks and speak to some dog owners and see if anyone would be interested in day care. The day care I used before charged me £15 a day and that was with a big discount while my current dog walker charges me £10 for the day which is far more reasonable! Good luck!
 
My little Ruby goes to doggy day care once a week on a Wednesday.

She gets dropped in at 9am, has her breakfast, walked 2-3 times a day, goes in the play arena for awhile, has her tea and then collected at 6pm.

She has her own heated kennel during the day with an indoor and outdoor area. I do believe they play music through quietly too.

If I need to they will also clip her claws and groom her for me as well.

I pay £13.50 per session.

Hope the info helps.

Adios
 
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