Luxury dog day care centre planned for Prestonpans

Nadine Kay of Carefree Canines at home with her husband Stuart and their dogs. Picture: Joey Kelly

Or at least it will be if a first of its kind “doggy day care centre” in East Lothian gets the go-ahead from the council.

If all goes to plan, the proposed centre – brainchild of former nurse Nadine Kay – would be at the former Fords the Bakers site on Midroad Industrial Estate, Prestonpans.

The planning application states that the centre would “provide professional, flexible and affordable dog care solutions”.

Nadine, 34, runs dog walking and boarding service Carefree Canines from her Port Seton home, which she shares with chef husband Stuart, also 34, working cocker spaniel Finn, three, and one-year-old rescue collie cross, Poppy.

She said: “My husband and I both work shifts and often found it difficult to organise good, flexible day care for our dogs. I’d always wanted to run my own dog care service and decided just to go for it last year.

“So, in August, I launched Carefree Canines, which has been a great success – so much so that I can’t cater to everyone who approaches us as I’m only licensed for six dogs in my home.”

She added: “Our centre will offer a variety of different rooms and activities to suit every dog’s needs, whether they like to socialise or not. There may be a room filled with lots of different balls to play with, another with an agility course, and another with a scent trail.

“I’ve also noticed that some dogs, especially older dogs, prefer to be a bit more chilled out, so there is also likely to be an area with lots of beds and sofas, where we’ll pipe in relaxing music, probably classical – though I have noticed one dog I sit for seems to especially enjoy the Coronation Street theme! Plus we’ll have a specially kitted-out dog taxi to transport them to and from the centre, obedience classes and a dog boutique, offering products you can usually only purchase online.”

However, local SNP councillor Peter MacKenzie said some residents had shared concerns with him about the proposed centre.

He said: “I recently spoke to Nadine and while I am impressed with her as a possible entrepreneur I am not sure if that particular location is best-suited.

“The proposed site is very close to the housing at Dolphingstone Way and some people there are worried about the dogs barking.”

However, Nadine said that these possible problems had already been taken into consideration.

She said: “The outdoor spaces would only be used up until 7pm so there would be no barking after those hours. Dogs outside will be supervised at all times and will only be taken out in small groups. Also, day care isn’t suitable for all dogs and if a dog was a habitual barker we would probably not be able to cater to them anyway.”

Top of the pups

Songs they could and should play at Doggy Daycare:

• Dog Days Are Over – Florence & the Machine

• Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men

• I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges

• I Love My Dog – Cat Stevens

• Puppy Love – Donny Osmond

• Walking the Dog – Rufus Thomas

• Dogs Are Everywhere - Pulp

• Diamond Dogs – David Bowie

• Dogs – Pink Floyd

• I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog (The Way You’ve Treated Me) – Bobby Bland

(And not getting forgetting a bit of Bach for those that prefer classical music)