South Cowichan Life Magazine

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Local Business Profile
ramona
Tired of making the daily
commute to Victoria and
very conscious of the time Tiera,
her yellow Lab, spent alone,
Ramona decided to use the
downsizing as an opportunity
to start her own business.
Aware of how many pet parents
commute to Victoria every day
leaving their dogs home alone.
Armed with this knowledge,
a lot of research, love for dogs
and ample property, she started
her doggy daycare.
In 2005 her garden shed was
converted into a sheltered
area and a large area of lawn
was fenced in for the dogs to
go out and play. Ramona stays
with the dogs all day and in the
winter, had only a space heater
to keep her and the dogs warm.
The space was large enough for
the dogs to come in out of the
weather but not big enough for
them to play.
HAPPY TAILS
DOG DAYCARE
Vet Recommended & DogSafe Canine First Aid
800 sq.ft. heated/
air conditioned play area, large
fenced run as well as small dog
indoor/outdoor area.
For more information call Ramona
250-743-9897
e-mail: happytailsdogdaycare@shaw.ca
Happy Tails
Ramona Cools’ business is going to the dogs – literally. She is the
owner of HappyTails Dog Daycare and loves it. Self-employment
started after government downsizing in 2005.
The growth in her business led
Ramona to expand. She has
recently moved into an 800sq.ft.
building with a larger outdoor
space for the dogs to play.
The expansion also allows for
a couple of boarding spaces.
The new building has built-
in heat, air conditioning, a TV
and a small office with Internet
access.
“The dogs love the larger space,”
says Ramona. “They have
more room to play inside during
inclement weather and enjoy
the air conditioning during the
summer.” With unfettered
access to the outdoor space,
the dogs can come and go as
they please. Ramona says it’s
not uncommon to see a group
of tired dogs huddle up for an
afternoon nap.
In an effort to ensure the dogs
are safe, HappyTails Dog
Daycare has been inspected by
local veterinarians and is fully
insured. Ramona maintains her
DogSafe First Aid and St. John’s
Ambulance Pet First Aid and is
a member of the All Canadian
Pet Services Network.
A dog daycare is a great way for
your dog to learn to socialize
with other dogs. The dogs get
to play and exercise all day. If
you are unsure if a dog daycare
is right for your best friend,
consider this; the most common
comment Ramona hears is “my
dog gets excited as soon as I turn
down the driveway.”
South Cowichan life Page 17