K9 Fitness Centre to open in old Duncan Power Sport showroom

A state-of-the art canine conditioning centre is offering a pampering of your pet pooch at a refitted central Cairns location.

A state-of-the art canine conditioning centre is offering a pampering of your pet pooch at a refitted central Cairns location.

Opening on Monday March 4, K9 Fitness Centre will offer a doggy daycare service and a canine fitness facility equipped with non-motorised slat mills.

K9 Fitness Centre founder, Charlie Abraham, has more than a decade of experience working with dogs, including at overseas rescue centres, grooming salons and running obedience classes in both the UK and Australia.

Willow the dog tries out the new slat mill at the K9 Fitness Centre. Picture: Supplied

King Kenai up on the slat mill at the K9 Fitness Centre. Picture: Supplied

To improve the quality of the new service, dog numbers at the refitted former Duncan Power Sport showroom will be capped at between 20 and 25 dogs.

“When you drop your dog off you know it will be looked after by the best people in town,” she said.

“I really want to give dog owners something different, I think we will be a cut above the rest and we will charge a little bit more but you get what you pay for.”

The facility features a big and small yard covered by shade sails, two big plunge pools, a sandpit and decking under paw.

K9 Fitness Centre owner Charlie Abraham with Willow and Harley the border collie. Picture: Brendan Radke

The centre encourages general play and socialising safely and two hours at lunch time will be a dark time for rest and restoration.

Staff-facilitated orientation to get dogs accustomed to using the slat mill costs $35 for a 30-40 minute session.

“It’s getting them comfortable because the surface of the floor is moving under their feet and we have to take it nice and slow and then I figure out the best way getting them onto the slat mill,” she said.

The large yard under construction at the K9 Fitness Centre. Picture: Supplied

A do-it-yourself slat mill run costs $1 a minute.

“Or you can drop your dog and you can go to DFO and grab a coffee and I will run the dog for you and give him a full cool down and lie in the aircon to cool down,” she said.

Day-care costs $45 per day, a five day pass costs $210, a 10 day pass costs $400 and a 30 day pass goes for $1095.

The K9 Fitness Centre is located at 193 Lyons Street.

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Originally published as K9 Fitness Centre to open in old Duncan Power Sport showroom