Voting now open in Eastside Business Awards

FROM today, people can vote for more than 130 businesses across 10 categories, from best restaurant to best pub, in the Eastside Business Awards.

Owner Daniel Spooner with his best friends at Dogcity Day Care, which has been nominated for an Eastside Business Award. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

WHEN Dan Spooner and Alex Argenio dropped off their great dane Fergus for a play date at Dogcity Day Care, they never thought, just six months later, they would own the place.

But after discovering the centre was for sale back in 2013, the couple jumped at the chance.

“It was pretty much the coolest thing you could see,” Mr Spooner, 30, says.

“When the opportunity came up to buy it, we just thought ‘how can we do this?’ as it was just so exciting.”

Based in Kent Town, the centre provides day care to dogs big and small and helps them become socialised.

“Everyone wants a family dog as they are great companions, but people are also quite time poor,” Mr Spooner says.

“People are really starting to see the benefits of day care.

“The mental and physical stimulation that these dogs are getting is absolutely huge.”

Since taking over, the couple has opened two other centres — in Thebarton and Keswick — and employs more than 35 people.

A recent call-out for a full-time staff member attracted more than 1000 applications.

Dogcity Day Care has been nominated in the best customer experience category in the Eastside Business Awards, launched by the Eastern Courier Messenger and Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council to celebrate the best businesses, shops and experiences across the district.

From today, people can now vote for more than 130 businesses across 10 categories, from best restaurant to best pub.

Lodge your vote at advertiser.com.au/eastsidebusinessawards by Friday, March 16.