Neighbors: Canine Campers

Kelsey Baker unlocks the back door of her car to let out her beagle, Barkley, and ushers him off toward the front door of Camp Bow Wow. Baker and Barkley walk into a large lobby and mini pet store with hardwood floors and large windows that let in tons of natural light.

“I’m here to drop off Barkley,” says Baker to one of the Camp Bow Wow camp counselors, who promptly takes Barkley behind a partial glass door to meet up with the rest of his canine friends. Barkley will spend the majority of his day at the camp while his owner heads off to work.

This pattern continues for about an hour as people drop off their four-legged friends for a day of play, snacks and even a little bit of naptime.

Camp Bow Wow Sarasota owners Bill and Dana Starck opened the business in May 2009.

Bill Starck says running Camp Bow Wow is all about the dogs and making sure they are in a safe and healthy environment and receive plenty of love from the other camp counselors.

“It’s very therapeutic for me,” says Starck.

He also loves that he can bring his dogs, Reece, Murphy and Lucy, to work. He also allows his counselors to bring their dogs to work, as well, if they want.

“They absolutely love it,” Starck says about his dogs. “All I have to say is, ‘It’s time to go to camp,’ and they run toward the door to the garage.”

Another plus to doggy daycare? All dogs are guaranteed to go home fairly worn out from playing all day.

BY THE NUMBERS
3 — indoor/outdoor play yards
54 — cabins for overnight campers
6,300 — square feet of the Camp Bow Wow building
44 — average dogs a day for camp and overnight
12 — average number of loads of laundry per day
60 — number of water bowls used/cleaned on average each day
45 — number of food bowls used/cleaned on average each day
264 — average number of dog hugs and kisses given each day