Dogs and cats are treated to luxury in Coimbatore's pet resorts and boarding centres
COIMBATORE: Pets in Coimbatore are not short of a place to chill out if their owners are away on a long vacation, business trips, family functions or in case of their emergency hospitalization. They will be looked after with care, giving attention to minute details to ensure their comfort. And this dedicated service speaks volumes for the success of pet resorts and boarding centres, which are now part and parcel of urban pet-owning culture, in the district.
These facilities, which are in high demand, now cater to a wide range of needs, from short stays of an hour to long-term boarding that could stretch into months or even years, depending on the needs of owners.
Operators of pet resorts and boarding centres say the trend reflects changing city lifestyles, where longer work hours, frequent travel and compact houses make it harder for families to manage pet care on their own.
R Madhan Kumar, founder, Sathyam Pet Resort at Vadavalli, attributes the surge in demand to increasingly busy schedules of owners and limited space in city residences. To keep up, several resorts are expanding infrastructure and services by adding kennels and suite-style rooms, grooming sections, play areas, and 24x7 supervision, all aimed at improving safety and comfort.
Doggy Town in Arivoli Nagar, run by A Unnikrishnan, is among those scaling up to meet the growing expectations from clients who now treat boarding as a premium service rather than a necessity.
TOI visited Sathyam Pet Resort, where a range of dog breeds, including a great dane, are seen housed together. “We have been taking care of this great dane for three months. Its owner is working in Malaysia and has kept the pet here for an extended period. Relatives visit weekly and spend time with the dog. We share at least two videos per day with each client to provide reassurance and maintain transparency about the pet’s wellbeing,” says Madhan.
Unnikrishnan says his facility has seen a sharp rise in occupancy since its launch. “Bookings were only about 20% three years ago, but the resort is now fully occupied, with inquiries continuing to grow.” According to him, clients increasingly request better ventilation, individual rooms with beds, and sometimes customised diets. To manage high temperatures, the resort uses water sprinklers in addition to fans to cool cabins.
“Each dog is given daily playtime, while health and hygiene rules are enforced strictly. Sick dogs are not admitted, vaccinations are mandatory, and dogs with ticks are not allowed to enter as we are particular about disease prevention and parasite control in a shared environment,” he says.
To prevent abandonment, Unnikrishnan says the enrolment process includes collecting client identity cards and obtaining signed consent letters, creating a formal record of responsibility. “This reflects a broader shift towards more structured operations as the sector grows and as operators attempt to protect both animals and businesses from misuse.”
Even as facilities expand, some stakeholders are calling for stronger oversight. Nathan Subramani, proprietor of Woofs N Wagz pet resort, says pet resorts are now used by people from all backgrounds, particularly after Covid. “A dedicated regulatory body is needed to ensure licensing, hygiene standards, adequate staffing, animal welfare safeguards and emergency veterinary support. Without inspections and enforceable rules, the industry could become overly profit-driven, increasing the risk of violations,” he warns.
Frank Majella, founder and president, Service Providers’ Welfare Association, says more than 40 pet resorts in the district are run by association members. “Some have applied for licences and they are still awaiting processing. While national rules exist, enforcement remains weak. Regulation is essential for sustainable industry growth and to ensure the safety of animals.”
Dr Varadharajan, Coimbatore district animal welfare board officer, says efforts are on to streamline the sector. “Only two boarding facilities have received licences in the past five months since my posting. Authorities are identifying resorts through social media and field visits. Backyard or home-based boarding are prohibited and we have already cautioned a few such operators.”
These facilities, which are in high demand, now cater to a wide range of needs, from short stays of an hour to long-term boarding that could stretch into months or even years, depending on the needs of owners.
Operators of pet resorts and boarding centres say the trend reflects changing city lifestyles, where longer work hours, frequent travel and compact houses make it harder for families to manage pet care on their own.
R Madhan Kumar, founder, Sathyam Pet Resort at Vadavalli, attributes the surge in demand to increasingly busy schedules of owners and limited space in city residences. To keep up, several resorts are expanding infrastructure and services by adding kennels and suite-style rooms, grooming sections, play areas, and 24x7 supervision, all aimed at improving safety and comfort.
Doggy Town in Arivoli Nagar, run by A Unnikrishnan, is among those scaling up to meet the growing expectations from clients who now treat boarding as a premium service rather than a necessity.
TOI visited Sathyam Pet Resort, where a range of dog breeds, including a great dane, are seen housed together. “We have been taking care of this great dane for three months. Its owner is working in Malaysia and has kept the pet here for an extended period. Relatives visit weekly and spend time with the dog. We share at least two videos per day with each client to provide reassurance and maintain transparency about the pet’s wellbeing,” says Madhan.
Unnikrishnan says his facility has seen a sharp rise in occupancy since its launch. “Bookings were only about 20% three years ago, but the resort is now fully occupied, with inquiries continuing to grow.” According to him, clients increasingly request better ventilation, individual rooms with beds, and sometimes customised diets. To manage high temperatures, the resort uses water sprinklers in addition to fans to cool cabins.
“Each dog is given daily playtime, while health and hygiene rules are enforced strictly. Sick dogs are not admitted, vaccinations are mandatory, and dogs with ticks are not allowed to enter as we are particular about disease prevention and parasite control in a shared environment,” he says.
To prevent abandonment, Unnikrishnan says the enrolment process includes collecting client identity cards and obtaining signed consent letters, creating a formal record of responsibility. “This reflects a broader shift towards more structured operations as the sector grows and as operators attempt to protect both animals and businesses from misuse.”
Even as facilities expand, some stakeholders are calling for stronger oversight. Nathan Subramani, proprietor of Woofs N Wagz pet resort, says pet resorts are now used by people from all backgrounds, particularly after Covid. “A dedicated regulatory body is needed to ensure licensing, hygiene standards, adequate staffing, animal welfare safeguards and emergency veterinary support. Without inspections and enforceable rules, the industry could become overly profit-driven, increasing the risk of violations,” he warns.
Frank Majella, founder and president, Service Providers’ Welfare Association, says more than 40 pet resorts in the district are run by association members. “Some have applied for licences and they are still awaiting processing. While national rules exist, enforcement remains weak. Regulation is essential for sustainable industry growth and to ensure the safety of animals.”
Dr Varadharajan, Coimbatore district animal welfare board officer, says efforts are on to streamline the sector. “Only two boarding facilities have received licences in the past five months since my posting. Authorities are identifying resorts through social media and field visits. Backyard or home-based boarding are prohibited and we have already cautioned a few such operators.”
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