The South Shore News & Tribune
A New Place To House Your Pooch
John Ceballos/Tribune photo
Jeannie Armstrong relied on her experience as a dog owner when helping to develop Dig It Kennels, which opened Tuesday. Armstrong, a co-owner in the venture, has an Ibizan hound named Mimi.
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Published: April 5, 2008
BALM - Jeannie Armstrong doesn't go on vacation because doesn't want to leave her dogs in a kennel.
"I just didn't like the thought of keeping them in cages the entire time I was gone," said Armstrong, who owns 10 show dogs.
So Armstrong and her family recently decided to take it upon themselves to remedy that situation.
Dig It Kennels opened its doors for business Tuesday. Armstrong, her sister Kari Arcand and their mother, Susan Payne, are co-owners of the venture.
"We all have our own dogs, so we know what kind of place we'd want to keep them in," Arcand said.
The business - which is licensed, insured and veterinarian inspected - features a variety of accommodations for pooches while their owners are away.
It has 30 cages in its 5,500-square-foot main building. Dog owners may choose between 5-by-15-foot indoor-outdoor kennel runs or 10-by-10 family suites for families with multiple dogs.
At night, classical music by Mozart as well as recorded bird noises will be played over the building's sound system.
"We want them to be as relaxed as possible at night," Armstrong said.
There are also indoor and outdoor play areas for small and large dogs as well as a grooming section. The kennel also has an on-call vet: Kimberly Tyson of Four Paws Veterinary Hospital in Riverview.
Armstrong and Arcand's siblings pitched in on the project. Their brother Rusty Jones was the main building's contractor, and their sister Maynette Jones has helped market the business.
Dig It Kennels hosted about 75 people for the open house March 30, and business is off to a fast start. It is scheduled to house three dogs during the first week.
"Our main goal is to make the dogs feel like they're the ones going on vacation," Armstrong said.
FOR THE DOGS
WHAT: Dig It Kennels
OWNERS: Jeannie Armstrong, Kari Arcand, Susan Payne
WHERE: 12918 County Road 672, Balm
HOURS: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
INFORMATION: (813) 695-3441
Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.
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