JEANNE'S DOGGIE DAY CARE & PET HOTEL

Location: Spokane

Website: www.jeannesdoggiedaycare.com

Founded:

Founder Jeanne Kelp has bred small dogs for years and was at the forefront of the burgeoning daycare industry when she started her business in 2003. She got the idea while trying to find homes for her litters. "All the kennels I went to were stressful; all the dogs were stressed out and barking and cold and it wasn't fun," she says. "I did a lot of research and just came up with the idea." Her husband, Lonny Kelp, a dog socializer, integrates new animals into the couple's large pack.

Measure of Success:

The business has acquired a loyal customer base that extends to other states, including two clients who fly their dogs in from California when they go on vacation. At any one time, she has 100 to 135 dogs at her 13,000-square-foot facility; a little over half are there just for daycare. The dogs are separated into play groups by size.

Employees: 10

Ideal Client:

Kelp boards dogs and cats and takes nonaggressive dogs for daycare. For overnight stays, animals are kept in "suites" that feature full-length glass doors, small mattresses in frames and a TV tuned to Animal Planet.

Quirky Customers:

"I have seen all different kinds," says Kelp. She's had clients request ice chips in their dog's water; others have brought in cooked food. "We've had people bring in a week's worth of Costco sausages."

What's Next:

Kelp expects to open a second 11,500-square-foot facility this month in Spokane Valley.

 THE BARKING LOUNGE

Location: Seattle

Website: www.barkinglounge.com

Founded:

In 2004, Steve Ulene, a former management consultant, nonprofit employee and corporate Joe, took out a home equity line of credit to start anew. "I realized I needed to be able to bring my dog to work, I needed to wear whatever I wanted, and I needed to be my own boss," he says.

Employees: 19

Ideal Client:

The business takes any nonaggressive dog. Ulene's own dog, Maya, a yellow Labrador retriever mix, is pictured on the company website. Typical clients commute to jobs downtown and don't want to have to exercise their pets as soon as they get home, says Ulene. They also realize the value of regular socialization for their pets. "Dogs used to be dogs and you put 'em in the backyard with a bowl of water and that was it. Dogs now are a family member," Ulene says.

Quirky Customers:

People have brought in distilled water or asked that staff members hand-feed their pooch. More than one owner has called to request their dog be pointed out on one of the Lounge's live webcams. Teeth brushing, as with other grooming services, is offered for an extra fee.

What's Next:

"I think there is plenty of demand right now to go around. I don't think the market is saturated. But I also think you're going to see a lot of places popping up that are doing it for the wrong reasons," says Ulene. "I think you're going to see them pop up, and they're going to go away."

 NO PLACE LIKE HOME PET RESORT

Location: Puyallup

Website: www.noplacelikehomepetresort.com

Founded:

With a business background that includes investing and acquisitions, owner Dan Richardson knew it was a smart move to purchase the kennel on five acres last December. His business offers boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services and is run by his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Ken Spikoski.