Pampered pooches get chance at forever home

(CNS Local Life): A recently opened dog daycare has teamed up with the Cayman Islands Humane Society to give shelter dogs a “staycation” and an opportunity to get adopted into a permanent home. Claudia Pilat, co-owner of Cay 9 Resort and Spa, said the programme offers one dog a week a “platinum spa package” which includes participating in their daycare and boarding in a “presidential suite”.

Pilat explained that the Humane Society chooses appropriate dogs to get spoiled for a week. “We are looking for long-term residents. The only requirement we have is that they are 100% friendly with other dogs and humans since we are a cage-free environment with big playgroups,” she told CNS Local Life.

Saskia Salden, director of the Humane Society, added, “The dogs that are chosen are dogs that we know are good with other dogs, they also are vaccinated and spayed or neutered. We try to give long-time residents of the shelter a break first as they need it more than the newcomers.”

At the same time that the canines are lapping up luxury, the spa works to get the dogs adopted. “We have a signed frame with a pic and info about the dog here at the front desk where our customers drop off and pick up their dogs. They also see the dog when we give tours of the facility and we promote them every time,” said Pilat, who owns the spa with husband, Martin, and Prentice Panton.

The efforts have quickly paid off, with two dogs, Capri and Riley, already adopted. Riley, who is heading to Canada at the end of the month, actually got two weeks at the spa “to give her more exposure since she is such a sweetheart. The shelter is full so we try to help,” Pilat said. Button moved in Monday for her week of spa time.

Pilat knows firsthand the benefits of adopting a pooch. “My husband and I have adopted three dogs over the last 16 years on island, so we love dogs and are very happy when we see them finding a forever home.”

Salden spoke of what the programme offers the dogs. “The Cayman Islands Humane Society is very grateful that our shelter dogs can have this opportunity and they really benefit from it, being away from the busy and hectic shelter, unwinding with a spa treatment, a nice bed to sleep on, playing with other dogs all day and having fun in the pool, of course. It also gives the dogs additional exposure to potential adopters,” she said.

The atmosphere at the spa gives the dogs a chance to charm their way into a permanent home, Pilat explained. “It is a completely different environment here for potential adopters to see well-groomed and (nice-) smelling dogs in a beautiful setting. We also give those dogs a well-deserved luxurious break from their regular shelter life in case they are not lucky enough to find a home,” she said.

With no shortage of dogs at the Humane Society, it looks like there will be a steady stream of pooches getting their turn to be pampered for a week, which clearly pleases Salden: “We love it but the dogs love it even more.”

Tags: Cay 9 Resort and Spa, Cayman Islands Humane Society, Dog adoption, Featured

Category: Community, Service Organisations