Plymouth Couple Opens PupTown Doggy Daycare Business

If you want to romp, play, bark, go in and outdoors all you wan, then you a new doggy daycare, PupTown LLC, is a place for you and your pet.

The new business opened in October by longtime Plymouth residents Tom and Jill Kingstedt. The empty nesters had a need for some cold noses and warm hugs and bought a dog, Sadie.

"Being busy like many people we also found that we needed to find day and over night dog care at times as we didn't want to lock the house and leave the dog alone," Tom said. "We looked and looked trhougout the metro and few places were what we'd consider quality-oriented and the few that were, were booked."

The couple decided to look at the doggy daycare market and realized they were interested, qualified and motivated to become small business owners; so did their bankers, the Small Business Association and the city officials of Medina, which approved them for PupTown LLC, located at 810 Tower Drive in Medina off Highway 55.

The couple had hoped to open sooner than October, but because of this summer's government shutdown getting the proper paperwork through and licenses approved the process was delayed. But today the place is open and has openings for those in need of finding a place for their pup during the holidays or anytime.

"We have a beautiful, safe, clean and spacious set up  to offer awesome care for dogs during the day and over night," Tom said. "We are carefully looking into quality grooming options as well to round out our offerings."

The daycare is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. There are seven total staff, three full time and four part time. All have had experience working and being with dogs either through a company or helping at humane societies. Staff doesn't simply watch the dogs, but interacts, plays and cares for each pup.

"We staff overnight for any boardings we have," Tom said. "We do not believe in locking your dog in a cage and leaving for the night."

Tom describes the nighttime at PupTown like a slumber party. He is usually the one staying overnight sleeping a large recliner chair while the dogs play musical beds until everyone's comfortable, relaxed and asleep.

Behavioral issues are rare and if there are any accidents the special materials used for the walls, fences and floors makes clean up easy. Every night the entire place is cleaned and polished for each new day. Toys and feeding dishes are cleaned a dishwasher every day also.

"We often hear from people that when they pick up and bring their dogs home they are calm and even tired after playing and interacting with the other dogs during their stay with us," Tom said.

Also those who bring their dogs often enough to PupTown have found they can take them off the leash and their pet will run to the door and go inside without any prompting.

You won't find any cages of any kind at PupTown. In fact, you will see dogs going in and out of many rooms, sleeping on comfortable cots and outdoors in a large fenced-in area.

"We are an open concept boarding facility so the dogs can choose their own bedding from a variety of items we have and they all get along together at night and sleep on their terms," Tom said. "If they need to go out late we have people their all night to offer a trip outside at any time."

Tom and Jill have those interested in having their dogs board fill out an application and be interviewed to make sure they know all about their dog and its needs. They have every dog spend an initial two hours at PupTown with the other dogs there to make sure they can get acclimated and are doing OK on their own before accepting the application.

The application also allows a customer to know everything about the daycare and its facilities. They accept dogs of all ages and needs and have had quite a few puppies.

You don't hear a lot of barking at PupTown, which keeps the neighborhood happy. The location has been a good one for the couple who live down Highway 55 in Plymouth, only eight minutes away. During the day Tom works for WestHealth in Plymouth, which is also close by while Jill mans the family business.

Most of the clientele so far have come from nearby Plymouth, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Corcoran and the northwest metro. The cost per night is $55 and includes play, freedom to roam, a clean and safe environment and someone being there for a dog 24-7.

Tom and Jill Kingstedt are proud to show their facility to anyone interested. Some rooms are still empty, but in the future will hopefully be filled with wagging tails and slobbering smiles. For more information call: 763-478-0203

PupTown will have a "Pose With Your Pet" holiday event the weekend of Dec. 3 and 4. Santa will be around for pictures to be taken with your pet.