TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Dog Day Care A Hit In Riverview

ADVERTISEMENT

By TOM BRENNAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

RIVERVIEW - Dana Gandolfo can see the difference in her 2-year-old.

She was taking him to work, a shop she and her husband own in Valrico.

"If he doesn't burn off energy, he gets antsy and gets into things he shouldn't," Gandolfo said.

The solution for the chocolate Labrador retriever, Mocha, was doggie day care at Canine Cabana.

"It has made him a more mellow and relaxed pet," Gandolfo said. "Now, he is very social with people and other dogs."

Canine Cabana is a dream come true for friends Kendall Duncan and Angie Frazier. They opened the kennel and canine day care center at 9708 Carr Road on May 1.

The pair met 11 years ago while working as zookeepers at Busch Gardens.

"Three years ago we decided to do something that brought us closer to home and let us get more involved in our community," Frazier said. She lives in Riverview. Duncan resides in Bloomingdale.

They say their experience with larger animals helps them with dogs.

"We've worked with lions, hyenas, hippos, great apes - there isn't much we haven't worked with," Duncan said.

"Don't forget the rhinoceros. We can't forget the rhinos," Frazier piped in.

The pair said they started thinking of opening a boarding kennel about six years ago but refined the idea after taking business classes offered by Hillsborough County, the University of South Florida and the Small Business Administration.

They focused on the Riverview area, interviewing veterinarians in the area to determine whether there was a market. They got positive responses to the idea of opening a boarding kennel, but the vets were uncertain about doggie day care.

They decided to give it a try, bought an oak-shaded acre lot and erected a steel-framed building.

Soon, they had plenty of customers.

"This community loves dogs," Duncan said. The pair also noted that along with all the new families moving into the area come the family pets.

"Dogs are moving in every day," Frazier said.

The facility has 20 kennel runs, a 2,000-square-foot indoor, air-conditioned play area, a 25-by-100-foot covered patio with a concrete floor and plenty of rolling open space for dogs to romp.

The kennel and daycare are open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, with weekend hours by appointment. Fees depend on the type and frequency of services provided.

Boarding costs $22 a day, and dogs can be enrolled in day care for an extra $10 daily.

Day care costs only $22 per day or $15 for a half day. Owners can purchase a 10-day package for $20 a day or a 20-day package for $18.50 a day.

Some dogs are left at the day care Monday through Friday, others a couple of days a week or an occasional half day.

Owners must fill out a four-page evaluation form, and dogs must pass an admission test before enrolling.

"Not every dog is suitable for day care," Duncan said. "We want to make sure all the dogs are friendly, enjoy the day - and most of all be safe."

As part of the test, Duncan or Frazier pets and plays with the dogs to make sure they are comfortable around humans. They are then introduced to another dog to check their canine sociability. That's usually Frazier's dachshund mix, Grace, or Duncan's American bulldog mix, Deuce.

"Coming here will make your dog more well-rounded," Duncan said. "Socialization is important - not every dog knows how to speak dog. We are clean, safe and fun."

Gandolfo, who owns a holistic dog food store, said the approach works.

"When I come to pick up Mocha, he stands by the door and wants to go back in," she said. "They have spent so much time planning their business, and it shows. They are great with animals."

LEARN MORE

Canine Cabana, 9708 Carr Road, welcomes owners to drop by for a tour. For details, go to www.caninecabana.biz or (813) 672-WOOF (9663). "You can forget our name, but your dog will always tell you how to get in touch with us," co-owner Angie Frazier said.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT