NatD1978

We have a Boxer, and where we live just outside of Manchester, we take him to something called 'Doggy Day Camp' - basically it's a creche for Dogs.

I work from home, but if we're ever stuck, it's great to be able to drop him off there. Half a day is £10, and a full day is £20. Not bad as a one off, but quite expensive if you use it all the time.

However, it's always busy and professional people often put their dog's in there all week!

I was just wondering if there is anything like this in Australia, in particular Melbourne?

It is a business idea my Wife and her sister are thinking of starting if / when we come over.

I guess with the weather, lots of dogs are kept outside, but any information / Feedback that you can give me would be great thanks

NatD1978

Mods - apologies, wasn't looking when I posted this, and it's in the wrong Forum!

Can you move please???

Centurion

Dogs are heavily licensed here. Although I have seen those places in the UK and we ourselves sometimes used a dogsitter, you are limited as to the number of dogs you can have on a property. For most shires its 2 for example, and to run a kennel and the like (which I suspect that business would fall into the category of) you would need acreage and a license.

Maybe timber can throw some light onto it, he's big into dogs. But I really suspect that its not a profitable a business as the UK for a number of reasons. Firstly, it your on acreage people don't tend to have both people working away from the home all day and if they do the chances are the dog is an outside dog (in qld anyhow). Population density in acreage home sites is obviously lower.

Secondly, if you are on a small residential block then you would have trouble getting any sort of license for it and the councils tend to be very keen on following up dog barking complaints etc.

Not to say there isn't demand for kennels etc. But I think it would take a lot more here to do it.

rebnatoli

There are some - found a couple on google, this one is for Melbourne and Brisbane

http://www.ozdoggy.com.au/dog_daycare.html

and this is I think quite a new one for Brisbane:

http://www.waggintails.com.au/

linloo

Please move to Adelaide and do this, I cant find anything like that here and would defintley use it. Infact it was on the T.V the other night about one that has been set up in Sydney and how popular it is. For 2 secs I considered for a good business venture, put the upheaval for me would be huge, so I am begging you to consider AdAdelaidehumbsup:

Smartinis

There is a great one on the Mornington Peninsula, Brookfield Farm Pet carers, I am a vet nurse and mine go there regularly. They have a website www.doggydaycare.com I think, it may be .com.au. Have a look its $25 a day but I think its worth every cent. Hope this helps.

hoofie2002

I agree about the business angle. I spent a lot of time looking at starting one in Perth and the numbers just didn't stack up. You need a critical mass of dogs [so to speak] to make it viable. Plus there was one already started in the area I wanted to operate [you would need to operate in a commercial/industrial area I suspect due to the noise problems which limits where you can go] which I think has since gone up for sale.

Unless you can staff it for free which isn't realistic, it's too risky a venture.

Pomster

I go through South Melbourne each morning and there is a place called DiggidyDoggyDayCare....just near South Melbourne mkt .

No idea about costs though!

NatD1978

Hi Guys - thanks for the replies.

Have had a look on google and found a few of the places mentioned! I don't thin it would be viable to set up as newcomers as in Melbourne in particular, there are quite a few established companies that do this.

Certainly food for thought though.

Jan4kids

Hey Linloo!

There is one in Adelaide :0) I've used it.....hope it's still there I've been gone 18 months Don't have exact details but it's behind the Footy Oval on the Brighton Rd...take the side turning....on the side furthest from the sea with a chinese/thai restaurant set back...LOL! I'm not making any sense am I !!

It was affiliated with training/Puppy School...it was a bit scruffy, but had a heart of gold and reasonably priced too I'll 'ave a 'Google' and see what I can find.

Jan

linloo

Thanks Jan, That would be great. After reading this thread I looked into it on line and rang a couple of places, and they were charging the earth! Cheaper to send them to a kiddie creche Its just the guilt setting in when the OH is away and I work part time. She is always as good as gold but she does love to play with other dogs and since I spoil her rotten I thought doggy creche would be great on the odd occasion

Jan4kids

Aw bless here's the link...had to look up the road name in my old street directory....they were great :0)

http://www.holdfastdogs.org.au/daycare.htm

They have seperate days for big, bold dogs and timid or young dogs :0)

Keep me posted and let me know how you get on....

Jan

linloo

You are a star Jan

ray2gill

Our daughter used to take her dog to Doggy Day Care in Plymouth when she had to work a 12 hour day. Her dog couldn't wait to get there, she loved it. There was a huge fenced in area which they used to let dogs that got on together out in to have a run around/chase. This meant that our daughter wasn't worrying about leaving her dog on her own for hours on end.

Souds a good idea depending on doggy population and location.