Rob Wright (left) and his son, Jack (proper), opened The Wright Pet Daycamp and Boarding in Eastlake earlier this 12 months. A grand opening for the business occurred March 10. (Marah Morrison — The Information-Herald)
Early final 12 months, Jack Wright approached his dad and mom in regard to beginning his personal business.
Now, he’s dwelling out his ardour by The Wright Pet Daycamp and Boarding, which not too long ago opened in Eastlake.
“For us to be able to help him work in something he’s passionate about is something special,” stated Rob, Jack’s father and business supervisor for The Wright Pet, situated at 34929 Curtis Blvd. “He’s a dog whisperer. The dogs love him and he’s got a sixth sense almost.”
Jack describes his position at The Wright Pet as not being a traditional job and that each day is a unique day.
“I’ve never really been a people person,” he stated. “I’ve all the time simply type of needed to be on my own and doing my very own factor. I began in highschool, so I’ve been doing this for seven plus years. Since then, I’ve all the time needed to start out my very own business.
“It’s a different day every day because all dogs are different,” he added. “They have different personalities and energy levels. Some are sassy, quiet and some just want to play all day.”
For 25 years, Rob owned a producing business in Cleveland. A few years in the past, he bought it and retired. It was at the moment {that a} business plan was developed for The Wright Pet.
“Jack approached my wife and I, and said, ‘I can’t do this on my own. Will you help me?’ ” Rob recalled. “We said absolutely, but we’re first going to write a business plan. We spent at least three to four months on that.”
In early October final 12 months, the Wrights took the house on Curtis Boulevard and spent three months renovating it to make it appropriate for his or her wants.
“The daycare space hadn’t been occupied in over six years, so it needed quite a bit of work,” Rob stated. “We pretty much emptied the place out. We did a soft opening about the second week of January. We wanted to make sure all the systems we had were working and that we were trained properly. Riley was our first camper.”
After spending a few month and a half ensuring all the things was working because it ought to, a grand opening occurred March 10.
“In the meantime, we’ve been taking dogs,” Rob stated. “We’ve had boarding dogs and day camp dogs. I would say that we’ve had 10 to 12 dogs. Riley is here every day. The boarders are here overnight. Chloe’s here for two weeks and then we’ve got some dogs that drop in a couple days a week. Some come for half days.”
For dogs that aren’t comfy in pack play, The Wright Place presents a day sit, which has similarities to boarding in the course of the day, however they obtain one-on-one consideration and train, Rob stated.
“We want dog owners to understand that their dogs will be absolutely safe, secure and that they’re going to have fun while they’re here,” he stated. “These are the issues which might be of significance to us.
Cleanliness can be a high precedence because the business is cleaned each single evening,” Rob stated.
“Everybody who works here understands that you get to play with dogs, but you’re also cleaning,” he stated.
Among the many issues that make The Wright Pet distinctive is the expertise of its staff.
“My son’s been doing this for an extensive amount of time in some reputable places similar to this,” Rob stated. “The size — dogs are going to have a lot more space than they would in other places and the attention they’re going to get is unparalleled. We try to give as much personalized attention as possible.”
The pet boarding business tends to be a bit seasonal.
“We have people who are already talking to us about spring break,” Rob stated. “People will be starting to book summer vacations. There aren’t, because of our location, many places doing what we’re doing and there’s a need for these types of services, so people are always scrambling around looking for boarding because it gets booked up fast.”
Typically, individuals looking for to board their dogs are going away for the weekend along with trip journey.
“As far as day camp, day camps fill up fast,” Rob stated. “Individuals are getting concerned within the day camp early. We count on that there are going to be people who find themselves going to need their dogs right here commonly.
“Most people, particularly the Millennial generation, the largest dog-owning generation, want their dogs to socialize, be exercised and to be able to play,” he added. “That part of the business is driven by young professionals who want to drop their dog in the morning and pick them up at night.”
Adamant about figuring out the precise individuals and doing all the things they will do to verify they’re skilled correctly, and ensure they’re comfy, success is dictated by staff, Rob stated.
“It’s not for everybody, but we think there’s a good opportunity for younger people, which is the way my son started,” he stated. “He started when he was going to Solon High School.”
4 staff are at present on payroll and so they work relying on what number of dogs are at The Wright Place.
“We want the dog to feel as much at home as possible,” Rob stated. “Convey blankets, pillows and the meals they eat each day so there’s little change of their routine. We additionally provide a program the place when you’re boarding and your canine is comfy with different dogs, we provide a bundle at half value the place that canine can board in a single day and spend the day in day camp with the opposite dogs.
“If you’re going on vacation for a week or two, then you know your dog’s going to be engaged, having fun and hopefully not noticing as much of a difference from being at home while being here.”
As soon as the lease is up after 5 years, Jack hopes to build his personal place and have it’s the identical measurement if not greater. Earlier than companies are expanded, Rob needs to verify the 2 base businesses, boarding and the day camp, are nailed.
“At that point, we’ll feel comfortable to offer bathing,” he stated. “The outside expansion will happen as we get closer to the better months of the year. We want to be able to offer a nature walk, so we would transport the dog safely and walk them through the parks.”
Finally, canine grooming and coaching alternatives are among the many issues the Wrights want to have carried out within the business.
“At night, these large play areas aren’t used, so we are trying to identify trainers who might need space we could lease to them,” Rob stated.
Day camp hours are 7 a.m. to six p.m. weekdays and boarding companies are provided each day of the week.
“We are staffed here from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for boarding,” Rob stated, noting that there are cameras all through the business so the pets are in a position to be monitored. Owners are additionally in a position to view the play areas and the kennel 24/7 by downloading an app.
“These are their children,” Rob stated. “The dog owners tell us when they get fed, how much they get fed, what medications they have, when those need to be applied, so we have all the information we need so the dog is maintaining the same routine.”
