Daycare lets every dog have its day

They nap to the soothing sounds of Mozart's 'Symphony No40 in G Minor', take daily dips in the pool and luxuriate at the spa.

That is a day in the life of a pampered pooch at exclusive canine crèches that have sprung up in the upmarket suburbs of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Hounded by guilt for leaving their pets home alone on work days, well-heeled dog owners have turned to these daycare facilities - parting with as much as R3000 a month to ensure that Fido is well taken care of.

Doggy daycare - which includes play time, lunch, forest walks, naps and training - is the latest trend among animal lovers.

Some daycare facilities have spa treatments at an additional cost that ranges from R120 for small dogs to R225 for an extra-large dog. Others offer the latest in dog fashion at boutiques on the premises.

One such facility is Happy Tails Doggy Daycare in Fourways, Johannesburg, where dogs take part in organised games like tunnel running, ball fetching and walks.

Grooming and potty training is also an essential part of the day, as is lunch for the puppies and treats for the older dogs.

Co-owner Laura Whittaker said most clients were "working professionals" who regarded their furry friends part of the family.

"They want the best for their dogs and the assurance that, when they are at work, their dogs are in a safe environment under the care of experienced professionals," she said.

At nap time, the dogs rest on comfortable beds while listening to classical music, which helps them to "relax and unwind".

The grooming packages at the on-site doggy spa include shampoos, pedicures and hair styling.

Whittaker said daycare facilities gave pet owners peace of mind, "knowing their dog is being cared for and entertained in a healthy way when they are gone, rather than redecorating their living room".

Amy Shrives of Puppy Ripples in Table View, Cape Town, said dogs there enjoyed "fun-filled playtimes with no restrictions of leashes or cages".

"Running, jumping, throwing balls, playing tug-of-war, digging in the sandpits, revelling in a well-appreciated belly rub or cooling off in the splash pool are just some of the many activities our dogs involve themselves in."

Shrives said daycare for dogs was becoming popular because people had become more aware of their pets' needs. Pet theft was also prompting more owners to seek safer facilities for their animals while they were at work.

According to Troy Lee, the owner of Buddy Pet Care in Bryanston, Johannesburg, the days of chaining dogs to trees are gone.

"As people become more educated about their dogs and their needs, they understand that things like doggy daycare facilities become a necessity."

Lee said he started the day-care facility owing to demand from dog owners.

Doggy daycare, by providing social interaction between dogs, reduced boredom and destructive behaviour at home, he said.