It's a dog's life at indoor pooch park
Like 0 Dislike 0 Published on 3 Aug 2015
In the UK the weather is often more suited to ducks than pet dogs. The cold and wet can make walkies more of a chore than a howling adventure
But, a new venture in Cardiff, Wales could offer a solution that's not necessarily barking.
This is Action Petz - the indoor dog park where pooches can run wild while their owners keep dry.
It's fun for those with four legs and two and business is booming since it opened ten months ago.
It's packed full of activities for dogs with energy to burn plus it's safe and secure. Just what the owner, Shelley Reading, wanted after a personal ordeal.
"I was out walking both of my dogs and unfortunately one of my dogs got stolen by somebody who was also in the park that morning. My dog was missing for twelve days and that obviously was heart-breaking, so, thankfully I got him back and after twelve days I was bit worried about letting him off the lead so I googled indoor dog park, secure area, and of course there was nothing. Discovered a niche in the market and set up Action Petz," she says.
Each week more than seven hundred owners bring their dogs to play on the obstacles. It's sometimes hard to work out who gets the most exercise.
"Well my son brings her normally, seven days a week, because it's easier than walking the streets in the dark and cold and safer. You can't let your dog off in the street or in the park, off the lead, so much easier here," says dog owner Jennifer Smith.
The facility is designed for dogs to socialise with one another in a safe environment, but there's also plenty of showing off to be done�if there's a treat to be had.
And while the obstacles wouldn't look out of place at Crufts, Action Petz isn't just for top dogs.
"I just came here just for something different to do with my dog especially when the weather's rubbish, and just give her some decent exercise," says dog owner, Linda Dack.
Sometimes that goes to plan. Other times it doesn't. But that doesn't seem to be putting people off.
"I think the main draw is that a lot of members don't feel safe letting their dogs off the lead. Lots of dogs are very high energy. They don't get the exercise they need. Here of course we are fully secure, there's no escape for the dogs, the dogs get let off the lead and they can socialise safely with dogs that we know are dog friendly unlike some dogs that you might come across in the parks," says Reading.
Action Petz is open seven days a week.
"I think it's good because there's obstacles for the dogs to try out that are new and stuff like that and when the weather's bad the dog doesn't get wet," says one young dog walker.
"I think she likes how she gets to try new things and meet new dogs," says another.
"There's lots of new things to try out and lots of dogs that they can play with," says another.
After less than a year there are plans afoot to open up a chain of Action Petz dog parks around the country, with people travelling from all over the United Kingdom to give their pooches a walk unlike any other.
"It's been amazing, the feedback has been incredible. I've got people coming from far and wide as far as Carmarthenshire in the Westbound direction and as far as Bath in the Eastbound direction. Got people from Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, absolutely fantastic and the feedback has been fabulous."
A session for your dog at Action Petz costs �4.50 ($6.88 USD).
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