June 11, 2008

Pet Pulse Photo by Victoria Lim

HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- School’s almost out, and parents are scrambling to figure out how to keep their kids busy over the summer. Their four-legged “kids” may also find a special summer activity, at camps specifically designed with them in mind.

At facilities such as the Cascade Pet Camp, playgroups and social time are highly encouraged by camp “counselors.” Large, fenced-in runs, private “piddle areas,” even private rooms complete with easy access to a covered, outdoor patio, plush bedding, décor, and a television (always set to “Animal Planet”) are all clues this isn’t your simple boarding facility.

“Pets are becoming part of our family,” said Mary Leighton, Cascade Pet Camp manager. “Our society has changed as the years have progressed. It’s not just ‘slap some dog food at the back door’,” mentality when it comes to pet care.

The owners of Cascade Pet Camp originally had an agility training center in mind. But founded Jenni Lott also thought -- what else would pet owners be willing to treat their animals to?

Similar to camp activities you’d find for human kids, campers enjoy lots of outdoor time led by “counselors.” That social aspect is why Pit-mix Briar began coming to Cascade two years ago. His owner, Theresa Hennery, sent him to puppy kindergarten, and has brought him back many times since whenever she has a trip.

“I checked out other kennels, like boarding at my vet. I know the vet is really good, but they just have this concrete little cell he’d sleep in and someone would walk him several times a day,” Hennery said. “As soon as we get on the gravel road (to Cascade Pet Camp) he’s shaking, he’s barking, he’s so excited, he’s like, ‘yay’!”

Playgroups are determined by size and personality of the dogs. For anti-social pets, one-on-one “buddy time” is available. Each pet has his own room and their own fenced-in “piddle” area -- unless a family of pets are staying together.

The floors are heated, since nights can get pretty chilly in the Northwest.
When the camp first opened in November 2005, it had one camper -- a dog. That Christmas, 50 dogs came to stay. Since then, Leighton said the facility has been at full capacity every holiday -- up to 96 dogs, and 14 cats at a time.

The average stay is four to seven days, typically when owners head up to ski, bike or hike one of Oregon’s mountains, but some pets have stayed as long as three months. Day camp is available too.

Cats stay in their own condos, and each get individual time out of their condos to frolic on the cat tree. Other campers have included ferrets, birds and a goldfish that accompanies its poodle-sibling. (“The goldfish adorns a desk and gets on a feeding schedule like the cats,” Leighton said.)

The cost isn’t cheap, ranging from $24-$40 a day for dogs, and $18 a day for cats. But for owners like Hennery, the peace of mind is worth the price.
“I have anxiety issues about leaving my dog and I know he loves being here,” she said.

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