Business Spotlight: Pet motel offers more than a place to stay

Barney, a huge Burmese mountain dog, looks a little out of place. He's sharing a large pen with a Chihuahua, a dachshund, a miniature Doberman pinscher and several other small dogs.

"We try to group the dogs who stay with us by size and temperament," said Caroline Hartley, owner of Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel. "Barney is timid, so we grouped him with some smaller dogs."

In a few minutes, Barney and approximately 50 other dogs will retire to their rooms. Barney and the others have spent 15 hours outside playing, and Hartley suspects they will go to sleep quickly.

Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel is one of many pet motels and doggie daycare centers that are popping up all over the country. Hartley first learned about this new and growing industry when she owned a dog grooming business in Jefferson City.

After researching some existing businesses in California and Texas, Hartley decided to open her own business. In 1997, she sold her dog grooming business, relocated to the Springfield area, and opened Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel in Ozark.

Dogs and cats are accepted at Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel as long as they don't have fleas, Hartley said. Owners also must provide a copy of their pet's vaccination record.

Dogs who stay at the motel sleep in one of 33 rooms, which range in size from 8 feet by 8 feet to 8 feet by 12 feet. Each room is decorated and contains a small, elevated cot where the dog can sleep.

"We encourage each pet owner to bring a blanket, some toys or anything else that's familiar so their pet will feel more secure while they're here," Hartley said. "The owner also can pay a little extra to get a television put in the room. The sound of a TV playing is comforting for most animals because it's a sound they're used to hearing."

Each pet owner can supply the food and treats that will be fed to their pet during the stay. Some owners bring standard pet food and treats, while others bring things like hamburgers and chicken McNuggets. Special instructions for each pet are posted on the metal gate to their room, and the room's floor is mopped and cleaned each day.

Hartley estimated that 98 percent of the pets that she and her staff care for are dogs. However, some pet owners also bring their cats to Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel.

Cats, unlike dogs, often feel more secure in a confined area, according to Hartley. Most of the cats Hartley cares for are placed in cages that have two rooms. One room contains a litter box and the other contains a bed and a few toys. Occasionally, a pet owner with many cats will rent a special room that contains several sleeping areas, a television, a litter box and some toys.

While working with animals may sound like fun, the job can be demanding.

To meet the needs of vacationing pet owners, Hartley must work holidays. Hartley also must keep extended business hours. Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Most customers who bring their pets to Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel live within a 60-mile radius of Ozark. According to Hartley, much of her business comes from regular customers who travel frequently. Other customers drop their dog off before going to work and pick it up in the evening. Hartley said daycare clients currently account for 5 percent of her business.

"Many of our doggie daycare customers are people who work long hours," Hartley said. "They want the companionship of a dog when they get home, but they realize it isn't fair to leave a dog locked up in the house all day while they're at work. So they take their dog here. They know it will be well cared for here, and the dog gets a chance to play and be around other dogs."

Hartley said her company also offers extra services such as grooming.