New doggy daycare for district
Dog owners have two new Timaru district daycare options for pooches who may be bored or inactive at home.
A new, purpose-built dog daycare near Temuka has lots of space for dogs to enjoy outdoor play with toys and socialise with other woofers.
The Timaru Pet Resort has been five years in the making as owner Robynne Trainor, a dental technician, has collected ideas from around the world for her facility.
At the same time, JR Alcantara is developing a dog daycare in the former Pampered Pooches premises on State Highway 1 in Timaru. Both facilities will cater for dogs of all sizes.
Alcantara’s daycare has inside space and a secure outdoor concrete area. He says this is typical of inner city dog daycare centres.
South Canterbury Dog Training Club (SCDTC) president Darell Agnew said there were previously no dog daycare facilities in Timaru that he was aware of and the new ones were a great idea.
‘‘It will give dogs somewhere to go to get socialised with somebody who knows what they are doing, and owners will know someone is looking after their dog.’’
Trainor and husband Nigel moved to Timaru from Nelson and bought their lifestyle block on Arowhenua Rd about five years ago. The dream to run a dog daycare started becoming a reality when she realised there was a gap in the market for one in the Timaru area.
The facility, modelled on examples from Europe, Britain, Australia and around New Zealand, will open on November 21.
It has three rooms in a dormitorystyle block, two with 10 kennels each and one with 12.
Each kennel has indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor walls are insulated with pink batts, which are clad in freezer panelling, making cleaning easier, and stops the dogs seeing each other, which prevents aggression. Underfloor heating keeps the kennels warm in winter.
Twelve outdoor areas are available for play times and exercise.
SCDTC training co-ordinator for K9 Good Manners classes and competitive obedience Jo Wakefield said the facility would suit people who work fulltime or those who are unable to exercise their dogs on a regular basis.
‘‘I don’t know if there is need for it or not. The proof will be in how successful it is,’’ she said.
The Pet Resort offers overnight stays or longer-term accommodation and bookings are already coming in, Trainor said.
A taxi service is available for dogs whose owners are unable to deliver and pick up their pets. The van has space for six dogs.
The new pet resort also has an office space and room for a groomer.
Trainor has hired a fulltime worker skilled with difficult dogs, although she expects dogs to be well trained and show good behaviour before she takes a booking.