Satisfied Canine Clients Drive Franchise Growth for Dogtopia in $43 Billion Pet Care Segment

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Pete Kosowski

Dog Daycare/ Spa/Boarding Facility Franchise Expands With Focus on Quality, Safety … Love

Bethesda, MD – Aside from the sounds of playful barking, one might easily mistake a Dogtopia facility for a crème of the crop child care center. By mirroring the quality standards that parents expect of child care for their children, the growing national franchise of full-service dog daycare, spa and boarding facilities now has 37 locations opening or in development throughout the country, with 50 expected to be in operation by the end of 2009.

"With more than 43 percent of U.S. households owning a dog, and consumers spending more than $43 billion on their pets each year, the demand for quality, upscale daycare and boarding facilities continues to rise, despite economic conditions," said Amy Nichols, founder and CEO of Dogtopia. "We’re growing because we focus on providing a positive and fun experience for the dogs – every day. Our customers keep coming back because they know their dogs are in a safe, happy place while they’re at work or away. We give the dogs as much love, care and attention as they get at home with their families."

Nichols established the Dogtopia concept and opened the first location in June 2002 and began offering franchises in April 2005. Each Dogtopia location cares for up to 100 dogs per day with a ratio of one caregiver per 10-15 dogs. All locations offer personalized care and individual treatment for dogs, and employ a web cam that allows the dogs’ owners to check on their pets at any time. While most dog daycare facilities don’t use web cam technology, their Dogtopia Web Cams log more than 15,000 hits each month.

Dogtopia’s design features bright yellow, green and blue colors. Laid out with a children’s daycare facility in mind, Dogtopia has multiple playrooms to suit every canine personality and size. Locations range in size from 6,000-8,000 square feet and include a gymnasium for large, active dogs, the lounge for older dogs and the romper room for smaller dogs. The division between rooms allows Dogtopia staff to control air quality, prevent accidents and provide an overall stress-free atmosphere. Generally 25-30 dogs play in each room.

In addition to daycare and boarding, Dogtopia also offers a spa, self-service dog wash, and boutique to pampered pooches. Canines can even enjoy a Dogtopia special – The Happy Pup™ - daycare in the morning followed by a relaxing spa treatment with "pawdicure" in the afternoon.

Unlike most dog daycare facilities that use chain link fencing and cement flooring, Dogtopia’s canine clients enjoy an open layout where each room has specialized rubber flooring to ease joints, prevent slipping, and provide for safer play. All dogs undergo evaluations that include a health assessment, vaccination verification, and a temperament test to insure that the dog is social and comfortable in large groups.

"For us, the strongest testament to our quality of service is a happy dog," Nichols said. "When the customers walk up to Dogtopia, these dogs are literally pulling their owners in the door. The dogs are driving our business. Instead of worrying that their dogs are at home alone, depressed or acting out, they have peace of mind knowing they’re at Dogtopia, with their friends, having a blast."

About Dogtopia®
Dogtopia®, founded in 2002, began offering franchises in 2005. Dogtopia prides itself on being a place where pets are valued as family and¬ where dogs enjoy endless playtime and spa treatments in a positive environment. Dog owners have the assurance of leaving their beloved pets in the hands of trained professionals. Dogtopia® staff willingly nurtures each pet with attention and love. Each location offers a variety of fun activities, sociable training and comfortable boarding for dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes, abilities and temperaments. The franchise anticipates 50 Dogtopia locations will be in operation or in development by 2009. Dogtopia also established a permanent non-profit arm of the company, known as K-9 Support, Inc., that supports working dogs, such as military dogs, rescue dogs and Seeing Eye dogs. Annual K-9 Support Dog Wash events raise funds to send care packages to K-9 Handlers and their working dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dogtopia locations throughout the country work with and raise funds for local humane societies and shelter organizations.