dog boarding?

We usually board on dogs (pit bull and yorkie) at Sugar Mill Vet (STX) whenever we go off island now. The facilities are great there and it costs around $20 per day per dog. We have also boarded our dogs at Dr. Hess's Island Animal Clinic on STX for around the same price, but there seems to be less of a tick and flea problem at Sugar Mill. I imagine most vets have pet boarding facilities.

We've used Sugar Mill (on STX) several times, too. They were very considerate of our "dog-aggressive" dog's special needs.

On STT - Dr. Williamson's - There may be a couple of other places as well.

Thank you all. We'll keep these in mind when the time comes to board our dogs..

Now, this would be a great business to get into on STX and probably STT/STJ also!

Although the Sugar Mill and Island Animal Hospital are adequate, and they do take good care of the dogs, neither have any outdoor runs so that the pets can get some fresh air (when they want) or run. Both have maybe 6 x 6 indoor pens,( and that's being generous) and they have to be taken out on leads for a walk. Gods only knows how often that really happens! And where do take a dog for a good walk at Five Corners?

We used to take our 3 dogs to great kennels when we lived in the U.S. and Canada. They had 20' x 10' indoor areas with raised sleeping and just as big of an outdoor area that was covered and they could use anytime they wanted. They had A/C in the summer and were heated during the winter months. Spotless and well taken care of. Someone was there 24 hours. At the vets, they all go home at night and arrive back in the morning.

Here, we always have to find a housesitter since the dogs go crazy at the vets in the small quarters! It is also less expensive to have a housesitter than to pay for 3 dogs at the vets!

Sign us up when someone opens it!

Just a thought!

Are u on STT? I would be willing to help you out and feed and walk your dogs from your home if you're up for something like that. If not, no worries, I realize I'm kinda a stranger lol.

I think that Island Animal Clinic is pretty limited on outdoor exercise options but Sugar Mill does have a large outdoor fenced area that they take the dogs out into daily. i almost always see a handler and dogs in that fenced area during the day when I drive up and have even seen my dogs out there also when I have arrived early to pick them up. But I would rather have my dogs stay at home and have someone check on them in the mornings and evenings when we are off island. While there are people who do pet sitting on STX they seem to have a pretty limited range on where they will go and it is pretty much word of mouth also. So that would be a possible business option. I am not sure how lucrative it would be but there are customers out there waiting.

Are u on STT? I would be willing to help you out and feed and walk your dogs from your home if you're up for something like that. If not, no worries, I realize I'm kinda a stranger lol.

We are on STX but thanks! We have a number of people who housesit and watch our dogs. Just would prefer to have the dogs at a nice kennel and close the house up. We have had a few bad experiences with house sitters. They all think it is party palace!

What is the going rate for boarding a dog at the vet? Does that include food? Bath? etc.....?
Say at $20 per day, if you cared for an average of 5 dogs, 365 days a year equals $36,500 per yr. Not a bad part time income if you have the facilities and the desire to love on them.*-)

Lot's of responsibility, and you would have to create a good reputation to stay busy!

You do have to have proper zoning for this,

Proper zoning? In the Virgin Islanders? Does that really happen?

Zoning? HA! On STX had a neighbor who had chickens, a donkey, peacocks, parrots, multiple dogs & cats.

Owning animals is different than running a business. I'm sure the DLC could give you information.

It's true that our zoning is a nightmare and no-one enforces code unless you make a complaint. Then it can still take forever to get any matter rectified as it wends its way thru DPNR, the DA's office and the courts. There are so many zoning infractions that happen daily that VI Government could make good money if they got serious about enforcing the already established laws and our senators stopped the spot zoning crap for their friends and buddies.

The Virgin Islands serious about enforcing zoning or any other laws (except maybe seat belt violators)?

The government of the Virgin Islands making good money doing ANYTHING?

Chuckle....snicker.

We are on STX but thanks! We have a number of people who housesit and watch our dogs. Just would prefer to have the dogs at a nice kennel and close the house up. We have had a few bad experiences with house sitters. They all think it is party palace!

gonetropo,

maybe we can get some contact info on some of those house/dogsitters?
Thanks,

josie&jerrad

Your veterinarian's office should be able to recommend someone reliable.