Pet hotels are thriving, despite the struggling economy.
Pet hotels are luxury accommodations for pets, whether just for the day or overnight, and most offer additional services, such as play times, grooming and pampering.
But they aren’t the typical boarding kennels.
Pet hotels offer private suites, spas and plush pet retail.
Michael Hackett, owner of Petz Plaza on Perkins Road, said his business is doing so well it’s in the process of building a new location.
“We weren’t that affected by the economy,” Hackett said. “We’ve even had an increase in boarding.”
Hackett said Petz Plaza currently has 16,000 clients, and it grows daily.
“The economy would have to be pretty bad for people to stop doing the little things,” he said. “No matter how bad it gets, people are still going to travel.”
Pets board at Petz Plaza for $12.50 during the day while the owner is at work or school.
If the owner plans to leave a pet overnight, the hotel offers suites for $35 per night, which includes bedding, individual air-conditioning and a personal television.
He said the televisions are usually turned onto Animal Planet, but the owners can bring their own videos.
Petz Plaza also houses 94 kennels of various sizes, ranging from $19 to $24.
Dogs are walked two to three times a day.
Extra services are available on request, including nail polishing, additional play times, TLC — when dogs are brushed and cuddled — and Yappy Hour, a time for an evening bakery treat like Pup-Tarts or Paw-lines.
Hackett said cats are welcome, but the majority of his clientele are dogs. At Petropolitan, located on Drusilla Lane, similar services are provided.
“People don’t want their dogs put in small wire kennels and only let out once a day,” said D’Ann Shannon, owner of Petropolitan and University alumna.
Workers at Petropolitan take dogs out six times a day for exercise and socializing. Spa treatments and massages are also offered.
“We have a lot of green space,” Shannon said. “We try to provide a cottage feel. You’re not bringing your dog to a kennel  — you’re bringing your dog to a home.”
Petropolitan offers an LSU Suite — a room adorned with Mike the Tiger posters and a University-themed bed — for $45 a night for the first dog.
“If you have multiple dogs, it’s more economical to get a suite,” Shannon said.
Shannon said the economy hasn’t had a large impact on her business.”People are tightening their belts in areas other than their pets,” she said. “It would be like withholding daycare from a child. Pets become part of the family.”
And students aren’t strangers to pet hotels.
Emily Shea, kinesiology senior, boards her cocker spaniel Dublin at the Petz Plaza during football games.
“During football season, I’m gone all day on Saturdays, and I don’t want to keep him locked up in a kennel,” Shea said. “So I drop him off at the hotel for the weekend.”
Shea said the prices are reasonable for what is provided.
“The pets are treated like royalty while they’re here,” Hackett said. “We want people to feel comfortable and know we’re doing a good job.”
Hackett said the “diva-dog” days are done, and there is no longer a demand for $300 carrying bags and $75 designer collars.
“The biggest misconception is that we’re an upscale business,” Hackett said. “But if you have a dog, and you’re going to travel, you need a place for it to stay.”
Anna Lee Cambon, nutrition senior, boards her chocolate lab Frannie at Petz Plaza when she leaves town.
“She is a pretty big dog, so I used to get the suites. But that gets kind of expensive, so now I use the large kennels,” Cambon said. “They do a really good job, and I wouldn’t bring Frannie anywhere else.”
Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]