Doggy Day Care Coming to Woodridge

Woodridge will get its first doggy day care this fall.

The voted Thursday to amend village code to allow the business to operate in Woodridge. Zoning ordinance previously did not address doggy day care facilities. 

The day care, said to open by November, is the brainchild of Darien resident Susan Kushta.

It will be located at 8102 Lemont Road between 75^th Street and 83^rd Street. Zoning regulations require that all its activities, from walking to play time, occur indoors.

Dogs will be evaluated for temperament before receiving the day care’s services. Kushta expects the hours of operation to be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the working hours of clients. Owners will drop off dogs, although a pickup/drop-off arrangement may exist once the business is established.

Adding "doggy day care" to village code

Kushta presented plans for the doggy day care to the Woodridge Plan Commission on Aug. 1. There was a problem, though. Zoning ordinance did not address doggy day care facilities; it only addressed kennels.

An amendment to the village code would have to be made to allow the doggy day care to operate.

Several concerns then were raised regarding the licensing and certification of the business, the level of care for the animals and its ability to meet certain standards.

The market prevents doggy day cares with low standards from succeeding, Kushta said. Their quality is spread by word of mouth as owners look for the best facilities for their dogs.

Kushta has never operated a doggy day care before. She told the Plan Commission she attended veterinary school years ago but pursued a career in programming. She is enrolled for an assistant veterinary certification.

Opening the doggy day care is an “opportunity to return to her true love of working with animals,” according to the minutes of the commission meeting.

Kushta said she had visited similar facilities in Lisle, Downers Grove and PetSmart to learn about rabies vaccinations and required shots. The animals in her care would be on flea and tick preventatives.

Kushta planned to volunteer at similar doggy day care facilities to gain more hands-on experience and to work with the Darien Animal Hospital to establish a relationship with a veterinarian in case of emergencies.

There were certifications for doggy day cares as well as emergency care and dog training certifications and CPR classes in which she could take part.

Since this was new territory for Woodridge, the Plan Commission asked for more information before its Aug. 15 meeting. The commission then reviewed that information Aug. 15.

The Aug. 15 Plan Commission meeting

The would handle all calls and complaints related to violations of animal welfare laws.

The doggy day care will require a business license from the state of Illinois and be subject to inspection prior to the issuance of the license. The business also is required to obtain a business license from the and be subject to annual inspections by the .

The day care also can apply for accreditation through the Pet Care Services Association after six months in business.

Satisfied, the Plan Commission approved the zoning amendments to let the doggy day care proceed.

Thursday's Village Board meeting

At Thursday night’s bimonthly meeting, Village Trustee Joseph Kagann requested the doggy day care ordinance be removed from the omnibus vote and discussed separately.

The omnibus vote allows the to vote on several ordinances at once.

Kagann raised concern that necessity for the doggy day care to be kept indoors would force the same restrictions on animal hospitals.

However, animal hospitals do not have such a restriction.

The passed the ordinance approving the zoning code amendments unanimously.

Check out the website for Dogtastic Fun here.