A new hotel in Breslau where all the rooms are suites and the spa is luxurious makes for a pampered getaway … if you’re a cat or small dog, that is.
Not a kennel in the traditional sense, perhaps, but the operation proposed for 1993 Londsdale Rd. was granted a kennel licence by Woolwich councillors meeting Tuesday night.
The new business will provide overnight boarding and grooming services for up to 40 dogs, as well as cats. Rather than cages or pens, the animals would be housed in rooms – walled floor to ceiling, with accessible windows – designed to look like those found in a home, complete with beds, televisions and soothing music. The market is smaller dogs, with a 30-pound limit. Applicant Paul Eckford said most would be lapdogs in the five to 20-pound range.
“It’s a small, premium pet hotel,” he explained, referring to the animals to be housed there as “boarding guests.”
Given the property’s location close to the Waterloo Regional International Airport and industrial sites such as Conestoga Meat Packers, with no homes nearby, councillors quickly agreed to waive the noise studies required for kennel applications for more than 35 dogs. Likewise, they allowed for a setback from the road of about 100 metres, lowering the 150-metre setback for kennels with more than 20 dogs.
Eckford pointed out there are no homes within 500 metres of the site, which sits on a dead-end road.
“The property itself is pretty isolated.”
Moreover, as most of the dogs boarding there would be lapdogs, they would spend most of their time indoors, minimizing any barking noise outside, he explained. As well, the room design ensures that the dogs don’t see each other to set off barking. Soundproofing measures will be used throughout the facility.
Supportive of the bid, Coun. Larry Shantz asked what recourse the township would have if, having waived the noise studies, it receives complaints about the facility.
Administrative assistant Kiera Schlueter, who prepared the staff report, said Woolwich retains the right to deal with issues if they arise, including demanding a noise study.
Noting that he’s dealt with many kennel applications during his time on council, Ward 3’s Murray Martin called this one a very “clean application,” quickly endorsing its approval.
