Adelaide doggy daycare demand spikes as people head back to the office

Where can you find a doggy daycare centre close to you? As more people head back to the office, they’re in high demand. So we’ve mapped them.

Adelaide has gone barking mad for doggy daycare, with owners paying hundreds of dollars a week to make sure their pampered pooches are looked after during work hours.

Centres have sprung up around the city, with the latest opening in the western suburbs to help meet demand.

Kip, which already has a popular centre at Broadview, is opening a second branch at Allenby Gardens to cope with a 71 per cent increase in inquiries from dog owners looking for a place for their pets.

Kerri Bellew pays up to $200 a week – plus a $55 weekly redeemable membership fee – to have her border collie, Jayla, cared for by Kip Broadview four days a week.

“The price is worth it. They treat her like family,” said the 41-year-old, who works as a banker.

Kip Doggy Daycare Centre workers Georgana Coles French bulldog Coco and Siena Withey with her dog Wilber, an Airedale terrier. Picture Emma Brasier.

“Your dogs are like your children, you want them in the best care.

“It’s great for her to socialise with other dogs and people daily. Since bringing her to Kip, she isn’t afraid of people or other animals.”

Adelaide and surrounding suburbs are now home to 26 doggie daycare centres, each caring for up to 60 dogs a day.

Kip at Broadview has opened its doors to 56 new daycare dogs this year alone.

Kip employee, Georgana Coles loves working at the centre.

“I had worked in doggie daycare before but it isn’t like Kip,” she said.

Ms Coles said they send updates to dog owners throughout the day of how their pooch is going, to keep them involved in their experience.

Kerri Bellew's border collie Jayla at her second birthday party at Kip Broadview. Picture: Supplied

Emilia Jaworek opened Ari & Me Doggy Daycare in Golden Grove last August in response to demand.

She said she had noticed an increase in dogs in the last month, as people headed back to their offices after working from home during the pandemic.

Ari & Me charges $45 for a full day and $35 for a half.

Ms Jaworek said she had been a “helicopter dog mum” and when she dropped off her dog, Ari, to daycare, she always wanted extra updates.

“My own dog has separation anxiety. When I had a full-time job, it was hard to find care for her. Having a peek into the daycare world, I thought I could do it better,” she said.

“My favourite thing is seeing the shy dogs come out of their shell. They will cower in the corner and then, after a few days, they are running amok,” she said.

Diamond Paws Australia, which has been operating in Salisbury South for the past six years, has also experienced an increase in inquiries from owners heading back to work. Its owner, Michelle, said the increase coincided with a growing acceptance of doggy daycare.

“When I opened six years ago, (doggy daycare) was common but nowhere near as accepting as it’s become now. Now we have more dogs than ever,” she said.

Emma McGrath, co-ordinator at Doggie Daycare by AdelaideVet, said dogs were showing signs of heightened anxiety about returning to daycare after months of having their owners work from home.