Member Article

Dogs Aloud opens day care centre in Trafford Park

A doggy day care centre with a swimming pool and chill-out movie zone has launched in Trafford Park following an investment of £100,000.

Dogs Aloud is based in a 5,500 sq ft former children’s play centre on the Astra Business Park, Trafford Moss Road, and has capacity for more than 70 pets.

It has been established by managing director David Green and Allan Todd, the director of training and animal welfare.

The duo met when David and his wife Sara took their four-year-old beagle Smudge to Allan for training. Allan has more than 20 years’ experience of training dogs.

Dogs Aloud has three large day care zones, into which dogs are placed according to whether they have low, medium or high energy levels throughout the day.

Other facilities include a swimming pool, heated bedding areas, a movie zone with a 65-inch screen where dogs can relax while watching films, a kennel block and a shop stocked with food, treats, toys and accessories.

There is also a bubble machine for the dogs and David said: “They love jumping up and biting the bubbles, as you might expect because they are bacon-flavoured.”

Seven jobs have been created at Dogs Aloud initially, and further recruitment is planned as the business expands.

All dogs undergo an assessment before they are admitted so they are placed with like-minded playmates and are in the right company.

Future plans for Dogs Aloud include a grooming salon and a pick-up and collection service, initially covering Manchester city centre and Salford Quays.

David said: “I was looking to invest in a new business and had been disappointed with the doggy day care provision for Smudge that we’d experienced.

“Allan’s dream had always been to open a doggy day care centre which runs the way he believes it should, with three different packs depending on the energy levels of the dogs throughout the day.

“We forged our plans together and were keen to open a facility in Trafford Park, as it plays such a dominant role in the working community of Greater Manchester and the north west.

“In addition, we are on the doorstep of MediaCityUK and the Trafford Centre, so it makes complete sense to be here.

“Owners working at or visiting those locations as well as Trafford Park appreciate the fact that they can safely leave their dogs with us for the day, or just for a few hours at a time.”

Coun Rob Chilton, the Mayor of Trafford, was the guest of honour at the official opening of Dogs Aloud.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dogs Aloud .