What is believed to be New Zealand’s – maybe even the world’s – first social enterprise doggy daycare is opening its doors and dogflaps this weekend at Te Uku.
Read more: A doggy ‘daycare with a difference’The venture’s a win-win for Whaingaroa dog-lovers, says co-founder Tesh Hearth, with all profits set to be donated towards other doggos through animal welfare organisations like HUHA.
That’s ‘Helping You Help Animals’, she explains, which has partnered with another charitable trust to get this innovative project under way, just off SH23 where the old Miro Feeds shed once stood.
Floofsters – with its flash new build – has been years in the making, Tesh revealed on site last week as a “whole crew” of local tradies from plumbers to sparkies and drainlayers worked to get the facility finished in time for tomorrow’s opening party.
She confessed it had been “tricky” to get the right property for the doggy daycare centre, considering things like safe access from the highway – which has been widened – and proximity to town (which is not much more than a 10-minute drive from Raglan).
Tesh has others of her family also involved in the novel venture. When the Chronicle visited, her architect dad Brian Randall was on the digger finishing off the grounds while her sister Cindy – designated Chief Floof or centre manager – was busy making the final touches indoors.
“I imported her from Australia to run this project,” Tesh laughs, explaining that Cindy’s a longtime dog-lover with qualifications in behaviour training and dog first-aid. She’s also volunteered for canine charities in both Australia and New Zealand.
“Your floofs will be in great hands with her!”
Cindy proudly showed off to the Chronicle the new retail area just through the front doors. It was stocked with a range of dog goodies – the emphasis on “raw and as natural as possible.”
Then there was the enrichment room which is all about stimulating doggy senses. There’ll be things for floofs to sniff and treats to find, Cindy explains, referencing research showing that dogs using their brains for 10 minutes is equivalent to walking them for 45 minutes.
Local trainer Amanda Church will also be on the premises – from January when Floofsters officially opens – to help with behaviours ranging from recall to anxiety.
Outside the daycare there are purpose-built obstacle courses and playgrounds not unlike those seen at childcare centres around the country. The activities on offer will be similar, says Tesh – everything from bubbles and waterplay to a sandpit and designated digging spot.
Much of the equipment has been made from waste plastic, she adds, with now-retired Xtreme Zero Waste guru Rick Thorpe working behind the scenes as advisor.
The one-hectare property is surrounded by high fences with no-dig mesh underneath so any would-be wanderers are safely contained. “It’s very escape-proof,” Tesh insists.
Floofsters can take up to 40 dogs a day, with separate areas for big and small pooches so they all get “the safest and best experience possible”, she adds.
“We can’t wait to serve our community’s floofs and floof-owners with this fun, friendly, doggy daycare that exists to make a real difference for animals in need.”
* Floofsters is having a community open weekend, Dec 12-14, from 10am-4pm each day. All welcome, doggos too (on lead only). Opening party starts on the Friday at 5.30pm.
