Friday, September 7, 2007

Downtown Petropolitan pampers your pets while you work

By Minnie Payne

Partner Christopher Watts with "Bevo"

DALLAS — Yes. You heard it correctly. Just as parents can take their children to daycare while they’re working, shopping, or whatever, downtown Petropolitan, a one-stop shop for the urban animal, located at 408 S. Harwood, a couple of blocks from the Farmer’s Market, in the heart of downtown Dallas, will pamper your pet from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for $16.00, which averages out to $1.45 per hour for 11 hours.

“There are no hidden costs,” said partner Christopher Watts. “And if you bring your pet in for grooming, spa baths, or anything else, the 11-hour daycare is free.

“There are seven employees who include four partners and two groomers, and between us all, we have about 40 years of experience.”

Watts said that among other services, Petropolitan offers extended hours, doggie daycare, grooming, the “Zen pen” play area, dog walking, boutique, and Bark Park visits.

“I managed a lot of different shops and couldn’t do what I wanted to, so I, along with three other partners, opened our own 4,000 square feet, air conditioned shop in December 2006.

James Donovan, another partner, said that people from all over the metroplex bring their animals, and they have one client who comes from Burbank, Calif. with her dog.

“We take care of cats, as well as other animals,” Donovan said. “Also, if the owner doesn’t want to bring their pet in for daycare, we will go to their home to perform various services.”

Christopher Watts said that they try to form a personal relationship with their clients.

“Recently, we had a four-pound teacup Chihuahua, “Bevo,” that had high pancreatic counts and was hospitalized for a week,” he said. “We sent flowers and talked to the owner at least once a day.

“Bevo” is just one of four or five dogs for which we have done that.”

Watts said that their philosophy is not making a bundle of money, in that they want to keep customers for life.

“We are bonded and insured and have a veterinarian nearby in case one is needed,” he said.

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