Former Sutton dinner lady opens new dog day care centre in Kirkby

4Paws ‘n’ Me doggy daycare, based at Unit 19 at the Urban Road Business Park in Kirkby, has been set up by Rachel Ross after she took the plunge and got a dog of her own last year, after almost 20 years looking after everyone else’s.

Rachel said: "I have done 18 years working with animals – I have worked in pet shops, grooming parlours, stray kennels, boarding kennels.

"I have done that and I just wanted to get back into it.”

Rachel has a cat, a tortoise and several guinea pigs, but one addition to the clan last year helped inspire her to take the plunge and set up the doggy day care centre.

She said: "I have never had my own pet dog, I have always looked after everybody else’s, and eventually I thought last year, ‘OK, let’s go for it’, and so I bought my dog, she is a Black Labrador.

"She has been with me to the warehouse, and been with me all the way through this.

"She is a friendly dog and I will introduce them to her and hopefully all the dogs will play and get on.”

4Paws ‘n’ Me offers full care of your dog whilst you are at work, out for the day, or shopping for only a couple of hours.

Rachel even offers to wash and walk your dog, if them socialising with other dogs in the play area is not enough, and the doggy day care centre is officially open from today, Tuesday, August 11.

"I have just had the licence guy today and he has said it has all gone through – so from today I can get started,” Rachel said.

"A few people have been interested but I haven’t put flyers round yet – I’ve been too scared until I know I am fully licensed.

"Fingers crossed someone gets in touch!”

Rachel is already well-known in the community, having been involved in a local group.

Her friend, Tracey Cranfield, said: “It's something she's always wanted to do and after spending many years as a dinner lady at Croft Primary School in Sutton in Ashfield, she's taken the plunge and in these difficult times is starting up.

"She's had her licence approved this morning so is all ready to go.

"It's been challenging for her but she's there. She's a great member of society, she runs a local brownies unit (as a volunteer) and is the daughter of a pastor.

"She really deserves a break.”

4Paws ‘n’ Me is open from 7am straight through to 6pm, and to book call Rachel on 07884 182959 or email [email protected].

For more details on what 4Paws ‘n’ Me offers, visit the website at www.4paws-n-me.co.uk, or see their Facebook page.