DOG AND CAT HOTEL: Paws for luxury

Lodge treats pets like princes, princesses

Watch out, Four Seasons. Fido might be treated better than his human counterpart at America Dog & Cat Hotel, 2900 Patrick Lane.

Pets have, in contemporary society, became surrogate children for people whose actual kids have grown and left the nest. It is dogs and cats who have become recipients of the nurturing instinct some parents can't seem to turn off.

But when owners want to travel, finding a suitable place to put the furry family members is a headache. That's where an all-suite dog hotel or cat villa comes in.

Pet lover and manager Christopher Easley would have never left his baby at home alone for an extended period of time. America Dog & Cat Hotel is, in his mind, a logical home away from home.

At a price ranging from $50 to a few hundred dollars per night, Easley believes his clients are buying security and peace of mind. They can use the service as a day-care or a during a multi-night getaway.

"We opened up two years ago," said Easley, who has a miniature Dalmatian of his own. "The concept was that in today's society pets and animals are extended members of the family, and they're no longer thrown out in the yard. People are living longer, and children are leaving the home. Pets are taking the place of children.

"Studies have shown that when people get home they greet their pets before they greet their own spouse. They've become very close with them, and because of that, it has become a challenge for them to travel."

Alice Nickels has boarded her dog, a Shar-Pei/Labrador mix named Allie, for two years. She liked the fact that Allie could be social if she wanted to, but still had her own area to sleep.

"We drove over there to go see it and we were impressed," Nickels said. "We liked the people, and you could tell they really care about animals. We also liked the fact that she could have a private suite. She's 80 pounds, and she's not always social with other dogs. She's part of the family, and we don't want to come home from the trip and have her traumatized."

Most of the people who leave their pets in the luxurious setting -- which includes 5,000 square feet of what Easley refers to as a "free-range" socializing area for dogs -- are couples.

In order to make it more like home, televisions, music and furniture are all part of the ambience. There's even an indoor real grass play area for bathroom breaks and exercise.

Cats, on the other hand, have the option of a multi-level villa with a bathroom, kitchen, study, music and Tiffany-style lighting.

"Out of the 75 percent of our clients who are couples, 90 percent take separate vacations because they're not going to leave their baby in a cage," Easley said. "It affects their mobility and ability to travel.

"We have an environment that's safe for pets. It's also a very home-like environment they feel comfortable in. Do they really watch TV? Certainly they don't follow a tennis match. Do they know who Ray Charles is? No, but they can certainly tell the difference between soothing and jarring music."

Easley said he encourages his owners to bring little items from home as well as the type of food their pet prefers.

The most anticipated aspect of what he considers to be the antithesis of a kennel is the socialization each pet is offered to take part in.

"The number one drive is socialization," Easley said. "Many dogs don't have the opportunity to socialize because owners don't have time to take them out to dog parks. Many are very pampered and their owners are carrying them around in little bags. But they don't have a chance to be a dog and socialize. We really get a chance to see them come out and their personality come out in the free-range area."

Because of the hazards of socializing among aggressive animals, America Dog/Cat doesn't allow dogs that have not been spayed or neutered to participate in the free-range area. Easley said breeds that are suspected to be aggressive such as pit bulls or chows also are not allowed in the play area but are still allowed to stay in a suite.

Easley said once an owner lets a pet stay at the hotel once, they're hooked.

"About 98 percent of our business is dogs," Easley said. "Cats, you can leave them for up to four days in a home, but dogs aren't that way. There is 11,000 square feet of space here, so there's a lot of room. If you have more than one animal in the house, you can keep them together. We also really encourage people to bring goodies from home, as many things that make them feel comfortable. During the day if they're social they play and socialize, and at night they have a private suite to stay in."

Easley said the biggest comment he hears from repeat customers is that they wish they could stay there.

"I've got a baby myself," Easley said of his own pet. "When I had to leave town it was a big problem. Kennels aren't a remote option, so you start to call friends. I really saw where there was a need for this.

"People say this is a great idea (and) they wish someone would have done it sooner. Since this is what we do, it frees up people's lives and becomes addictive. There's not that trauma of 'What are we going to do with our baby?' It's not expensive, it's priceless."


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