Cork woman: Running doggy day care is my dream job

WE are fortunate enough to live in a good society here in Cork city, and in 2023, even our dogs are getting lush and loving treatment.

At the top of Maryborough Hill in Douglas, there is a doggy day care centre – and it is just that – care!

Upon my visit, it felt like I entered a Montessori-style school for babies, but in fact it was little puppies and dogs of different sizes that were playing with each other and would explode into ecstasy upon the arrival of a guest. It genuinely conjured images of playschool for me from the recesses of my mind.

Audrey McSweeney opened Dotey Pets Executive Doggy Day Care in September, 2020. After 20 years in the corporate world, she was ready for a change and decided to go for it.

She did the market research and got ideas from different doggy day care businesses around Ireland. She had her day care facilities built to her specific requirements and completed courses about animal welfare and the requirements for a dog day care centre.

She is passionate about her premium, executive level service and takes a lot of her regulatory standards from the UK and US.

Upon arrival, I met Audrey and her little front of house pooch, Harry, at the door.

“Harry is a cavapoo and has been with me since I opened, since he was 12 weeks old, and I had him out here for a little bit and then he didn’t want to go back inside,” said Audrey. “He prefers to be out here with me and he’s no trouble so he stays with me.”

Audrey’s reception feels like a clinic of some kind, rather than a doggy day care venue, with the lovely smell of talcum powder and relaxing music playing in the background. There is a high level of class to her venture.

Audrey’s office overlooks her facilities and her policy is crate-free. She chose open, free roaming space that’s segregated into small, medium, and large sized dogs. Every now and then a dog jumps to her window to say hi.

When I walked through the door to the day care space, I was met with an explosion of happy barks at the sight of a newbie, and when Audrey entered their areas she was like their Goddess. James, her nephew, was on duty swiftly cleaning up any mess with spray and wipes. It felt like a very slick operation.

“We’ve humanised dogs so much!” said Audrey. 

I have people telling me about when they were young, and sure there were no doggy day cares back then, the dogs were just left to roam free, but now they’re looked after so much more.

It feels like she is looking after children more so than dogs, as if it’s a creche for toddlers that need attention with games and nap time. And they are never left unsupervised, with James on deck at all times.

The day is a considered one with play periods, and then lights off nap times with beds provided. Audrey provides a range of services also with a full grooming room on site.

She provides reiki for dogs also, which is like therapy for dogs and helps them if they have gone through something traumatic like an injury.

Their outdoor doggy zen area too, with a climbing platform and sun loungers, felt one step away from a children’s playground.

Do the dogs all obediently have nap time together, I ask.

“Yep! For the most part! Between certain hours at nap time there wouldn’t be a peep out of them, unless maybe there was a new dog that wasn’t interested, but they all get used to it eventually. We’ve humanised them a lot, they like routine!”

Her job and her business appears to be a dream job for the dog lovers out there.

Sometimes people in the morning will say to me, can we swap jobs for the day?

I can see why. Being surrounded by excited happy dogs every day must be a lovely way to spend your time. Tiring, no doubt, as it’s clearly a handful to look after so many dogs at once, and Audrey gives them a lot of care and attention, but there’s never a dull moment with plenty of fun as well.

“All dogs need the correct balance of playtime, socialisation and rest as part of their overall wellbeing, therefore we operate a structured routine that they thrive on,” said Audrey.

For more information, see @doteypetsexecutivedaycare.