A new ‘doggy day care’ centre is planned for Bolton – but they won’t accept any pooches prone to ‘excessive barking. Your Pets Pals Ltd have applied to Bolton Council to change the use of a former warehouse and land for dog day care with a secure outdoor area and pet food shop.
The building for the proposed new centre, a unit at Tonge Fold Mill, Clegg Street, Bolton, has previously been used for industrial use but has recently become vacant. Documents submitted by Your Pets Pals Ltd (YPP), said: “The facility will enable dog owners to have their animals looked after during a typical working day – a bit like a nursery for children.
“Invariably, we (YPP) may pick up client’s dogs early in the morning, look after them at the facility using a van modified to include professional dog cages and drop them back at their home’s late afternoon/early evening. “No dogs will be kept on site overnight. Some clients may drop off their dogs and pick them up.
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“The facility will be used as a store and shelter for the dogs for rest and to offer protection during inclement weather conditions. The facility will also be used for relaxing, feeding and segregating the dogs and calming down an excited dog in addition to separating any dog that isn’t well.
“Clients will be greeted in reception and dogs taken from there to the play area. The forecourt will be fenced off to prevent any dogs escaping while in our care.
“This separate enclosure will further be used for controlled exercise and entertainment of the dogs whilst they are on the premises and for training exercises. They will be always supervised by qualified staff
knowledgeable in the care of dogs.”
The application also addressed potential concerns about noise nuisance due to barking. YYP, said: “The primary noise mitigating measure is that the applicants will not agree to taking on a dog that is prone to excessive barking.
“Through our knowledge and long-standing experience of handling dogs, the applicants will ensure that the operation will be always operated professionally including a ‘zero tolerance’ to nuisance barking.”
The application added that the facility will be staffed by at a maximum ratio of one staff member per 10 dogs, as is required by licensing regulations. Staff will be trained in canine first aid.
The application concluded: “The nature of the proposed activity and the location of the site, and its separation from residential properties, the proposed use will not give rise to issues of noise disturbance that would constitute grounds to withhold a grant of planning permission/change of use application.
“The information contained above provides the relevant assurances as to how noise will be minimal, and in any event will be positively managed and controlled through appropriate teaching and training.”
Bolton Council will decide on the application at a date to be decided.
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