by Ezra K. Fieser

A bird's eye view of pooch's day care via Web cam

After five years in the telecom industry, Amy Nichols was fed up - sick of her job as a sales executive and tired of feeling guilty when she left her Boston terrier at home for the day.

"I just said. 'Okay, I've had it. I've had enough with telecom,'" she said.

Nichols opened a 9,000-square-foot dog day care facility, ironically, in the former home of the bankrupt Net2000 Communications Inc. in Tysons Corner, Va. But instead of completely abandoning her former profession, Happy Tails Dog Spa's owner incorporated her experience in her new business.

The facility is equipped with cameras that beam pictures over the Web. Pet owners can log onto www.happytailsdogspa.com during the workday and check on their pups.

Nichols is among a handful of dog care facilities around the country offering the service, looking to stand out in a crowded field. Nichols said her operation and Rockville's Ana's Ark Day Care are the only facilities in the mid-atlantic using the technology.

"I tried to think what I would want as a pet owner who has a little dispensable income," Nichols said. "You can go onto the Internet at lunch and watch your dog, and it gives you a boost."

Happy Tails opened last week, but the dog cams will not be running until later this month, Nichols said. In addition to dog cam, Nichols offers specialized attentions and low human-to-dog ratios. However, the amenities cost a little more Happy Tails charges $28 to $32 per day.

"People we focus on are DINKS (dual income, no kids) that look at their dogs as their kids," Nichols said. "By far, my average customer is two people with a dog or two and no children."

In Rockville, Aneliese Johnson has been cashing in on the upscale dog care concept since March.

"Everybody needs a hook, something that makes them stand out," Ana's Ark's owner said. "I'm really glad that I made decision to use the Web. Even if people don't use it, just the fact that it's there makes you unique and makes you stand out in [the customer's] mind."

Johnson, whose facility can accommodate up to 40 dogs, has cared for as many as 21 in a day.

"We're growing very quickly," she said. "There are a few other competitors around here, but my clients like the idea that they cam check in on [their dogs]."

Ana's Ark, has one camera that shows roughly one-third of the facility. Johnson charges $25 per day, which she says is on par with facilities that do not feature the Web cameras.

The idea for Doggie Cam came from Los Angeles-based Doggie View Day Care Center Inc. Six years ago the company's founder, Barbara Waldare, hooked into the growing popularity of the Internet, allowing owners to check on their pooch. The idea had already made its way into the child care business.

© The Daily Record 2002