72 KENNEL DESIGN: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CREATING YOUR PERFECT KENNELS 73 2 : PURCHASE AND PLANNING Organisation: West Lodge Boarding Kennels Location: UK, Cambridge Kennels Type: Semi-outdoor Kennels Function: Boarding Number of Kennels: 64 Kennel Size Sleep: 4ft x 4ft/1.2m x 1.2m Kennel Size Exercise: 4ft x 6ft/1.2m x 1.8m Year Built: 1998 www.westlodgekennels.co.uk THIS EXISTING BUSINESS IS IN A STUNNING SETTING WITH BEAUTIFUL MATURE GARDENS LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE AN AFFLUENT CITY. THERE IS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL TO UPGRADE TO A DOG HOTEL WITH THE CARE, COMMITMENT & VISION OF NEW OWNERS CASE STUDY: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION M arc and Iris Wheeldon have taken their first step back after a whirlwind first year of taking on an existing kennels and cattery. With strong business backgrounds and experience of working with and showing dogs, and after a great deal of searching, they finally took the plunge when they came across this undeniably beautiful property. “We visited many kennels for sale and were horrified with some of them” says Marc. “We decided we would only buy kennels we would be happy for our own dogs to stay in. When we finally discovered this one with its beautiful setting, we just knew it was the one for us. Although we knew we wanted to upgrade the kennels eventually, the existing infrastructure would give us a good chance to think about our future plans while we learned how to run the business.” The year they took to think about what they wanted to do has paid off, having learnt what their clients want and the problems with the existing site, they know exactly where they would like to make improvements. THE CLIENTS The client base was kept on paper cards, so there was no easy way to contact clients and introduce themselves as new owners. They are gradually adding customers to the PetAdmin system which they love, keeping the cards in case old clients pop in. One of the very first tasks was to update the reception area by repainting and adding new furniture. This was a very low-cost, high-impact way of showing clients what they wanted to do with the business, and they’ve had great support doing it. As shown in the photo below left, there is a window that looks through reception to the animal kitchen in the adjoining room. Their plan is to knock down the wall between the reception and kitchen to make it one very large and welcoming reception, to be able to sell more items such as food and toys. Currently the kitchen serves the three kennel buildings and cattery, and as the nearest building is 100ft/30m away this means a great deal of trekking across the grounds for staff, taking up a great deal of time, and in bad weather it is not at all pleasant. WHERE TO START? Marc and Iris wanted to focus on the older of the three kennel buildings and meet the criteria for being a dog hotel. This would increase their income to help them raise funds for refurbishing the remaining kennels. “We knew we wanted to upgrade the kennels and that the location and setting was perfect for turning into a pet hotel - but we just weren’t sure where to start.” says Marc. “Already having the cattery and kennel design books, we had done our research thoroughly and wanted the best for our future development of the business, and to fully realise its enormous potential.” They decided on an addition to the cattery using ‘Pedigree Pens’ and upgrading the first kennel building, as the logical and easiest way to start the upgrade to their new pet hotel. West Lodge Boarding Kennels “Our customers are as excited about our plans as we are!” Photographs by Marc Wheeldon