Hi Nronronronro ~
This was an interesting question! As a dog owner myself, I have my
favorites for my pooches. I trust my vet so much, I usually rely on
her recommendations, so it was interesting to find out what is
available.
Using the search terms:
- boarding kennels Silicon Valley
- dog boarding San Jose
- San Jose dog care
- San Jose pet care
- Silicon Valley pet boarding
I came across the following sites:
- Camp Bow Wow - San Jose
http://www.maxpages.com/campbowwow
- Santa Cruz Doggie Camp
http://www.doggiecamp.com/price.htm
- Dogwood Ranch (Monterey Bay area)
http://home.earthlink.net/~dogwoodranch/dogwoodranch.html
- Planet Pooch (Silicon Valley)
http://www.planetpooch.com/rates.html
and a dog sitter who sits animals in their home, Joni Brown
http://jonibrown.net/Guardian/
So far as rates go, the 'average' would be around $20.00 to $25.00 per
day. Rates ran from as low as $16.00 per day to as high as $34.00 per
day, and that was for basic boarding, without any 'extra' services.
The interesting thing I found was that most offer "social" boarding or
"cageless" boarding, allowing the dogs to play and exercise together,
unless there is a specific reason to isolate a dog. The idea is neat,
and if the dogs are social, I can see where it would have an appeal.
Most also offer a slightly reduced "day care" for owners who want
their pets to have exercise and socializing during the day. That's
another good idea and service which could be offered, at a slightly
reduced rate, or even offering a season rate or something.
Most kennels charge extra for giving animals medications, at rates
from $.50 from popping a pill to $3.00 for treating a wound or mixing
special medicines.
Many offered 'pickup' at the rate of $1.00 per mile to pickup and
deliver the pooches.
Other services offered were everything from grooming to special care
(lap sitting), etc.
There is no real cap on the services your friend could offer,
including special meals or other needs the dog may need.
Depending on the location, there are so many things that can be
offered, and rate structures can be based on a cost plus basis.
Obviously, if there is a regular 'day care' dog staying there, that
dog would learn the ropes and wouldn't be a problem. If he is
relatively healthy and no problem, the actual cost of his care
diminishes to the time spent in just being social with him. That's the
ideal dog candidate for a reduced seasonal rate, which covers his
share of salaries, food, attention, etc., plus room for profit.
On the other hand, a pooch suffering separation anxiety and nervous
and upset would require a great deal more attention until he was more
comfortable in those surroundings, and might even require special
handling, etc. On that basis, the charge would be more to cover the
costs required to render the care necessary.
If there is access to a veterinarian that could collaborate on a
contract basis, those fees could be offered to 'members' as well.
I rather like the idea of a day care for pets with room to run and
exercise and have a good romp.
This seems to be a major selling point as they advertise they deliver
a happy and 'dog tired' dog to you at the end of the day for your
quieter enjoyment of your pet.
I think this will give you some food for thought and hope your friend
does well. We all rest easier when we know our pets are cared for by
someone who can treat them "almost as good as we do".
Yours ever so,
Serenata |
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