Pet-Pampering Passion

My idea came to me one day as I was riding my bike downtown. On 57th Street, there is a cute, yet popular doggie day care center and a nice-looking grooming center right next door. I know the pet-pampering craze is getting bigger and bigger these days so I did some more research.


I went inside "Cha Cha's Doggie Daycare". The place is like a house built for dogs. The floor was changed to like this tough, rubber material. The only items in the place are doggie toys so the dogs have plenty of room to run around and play. The door to the outside is left open so they can run in and out. Outside, there are kiddie pools, toys, and various other equipment to play with. The owner's just check-in in the morning, drop their pooch off, and after work, they swing by and pick their pooch up, just like they would if it were their child and day care.

According to PetPlace.com (http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-the-other-half-barks-the-ultimate-in-pet-pampering/page1.aspx), the pet industry is at a $36 billion market. And Americans spend almost $500 million a year just in pet fashions. Gucci even offers their own brand of stylish leashes and food bowls. Salvatore Ferragamo offers a fabulous leash at $120, Barker & Meowsky sell $500 pet couches, and Harrod's in the United Kingdom sell handmade Louis XVI-style beds at $12,000. New York City offers a luxury hotel for you and your pooch. It's called the Muse Hotel and the package includes doggie treats and complimentary dog-walking. There is also dog-grooming on site for an additional charge. The rate is $265 a night.

An article on Press Release Newswire said that pets are not only getting human-like spa treatments, but are getting human-like products for their coat and skin. And not just any products, products you find in upscale beauty shops including Avocado, Fennel Extract, Dill Extract, peppermint, comfrey, aloe, jojoba and shea butter.(http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/2/prweb506218.htm)

At Press Democrat Online, an article talks about an upscale dog-boarding kennel, Tappen Hill. The floors are heated on cold mornings, the dogs have access to two custom-made swimming pools, there are plenty of toys and equipment, and of course there are private beds for each dog at night. The price is $36 a night, where most kennels run between $12 to $20 a night. (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/evergreen/stories/040902_pets.html)

Even after doing this research just proves to me how crazy people go over their pets. I know I can find out a lot more information and I plan to research and check out many local businesses and see what else is out there for Sacramento. I also want to talk to these business owners and of course pet-owners. I am looking forward to meeting with these people and hearing what they have to say.