Hot new “spot” in New York City for dog lovers
October 03, 2011 • Travel • Most Popular
FIDO Friendly magazine was granted an interview with the owner of the hottest new digs in New York City: Spot 72. We took some time to interview Spot CEO Mitch Marrow and share his paw-tastic feedback and news here for our fans.
FIDO Friendly (FF): Hi – can you tell me about Spot 72 and what it is, how long you’ve been in existence?
Spot72: Spot began last year after having purchased what used to be two stores on the Upper Westside. Spot 72 is our newly, revamped space in New York City on 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue that is our brand's flagship store.
When I was on Wall Street, I worked long hours and frequently had to travel and I was always desperately searching for adequate daycare for my 220-pound St. Bernard Reggie and 165-pound Bullmastiff Hank. What I found was understaffed facilities with cramped, overcrowded quarters, where I’d witness dogs fighting and getting injured or sick.
As a dog owner, I also felt increasingly uncomfortable relying on a rotating staff of dog walkers who may or may not have been experienced dog handlers.
I saw the perfect opportunity to build the facilities that would redefine the level of care that is currently acceptable in this industry. My goal was to create the type of daycare and boarding services that I would be willing to use for my own dogs—a business that could meet the highest of standards.
At Spot 72, we have 2,500 square foot private outdoor area on-site for the dogs to relax and have fun in a stress-free environment. At Spot, when we board dogs, they are free to roam in cage-free spaces separated by breed size.
FF: What clientele do you expect at Spot 72 and what can a dog expect when coming there?
Spot: I guarantee that your dog is going to have a blast when they come to Spot! With our private outdoor space with a therapeutic pool for low-impact exercise, plus our indoor rooms, your dog will be in a life of luxury.
You can expect a team of highly trained veterinary technicians, handlers, groomers, dog walkers, and care givers all of whom received additional training on canine behavior from Spot’s in-house expert behavioralist Brewster Smith and have passed extensive background checks. We make sure that each dog that comes in is given the utmost attention and care.
Our clientele consist of dog lovers that know the importance of excellent dog care and value the happiness and safety of their dog while away from their owner.
FF: That sounds fun. Tell us about the location and what customers can expect to find there.
Spot: Spot 72 has a massive on-site 5,000-square-foot interior as well as a split-level, 5,000-square-foot private dog park—the first of its kind in Manhattan. The dog park is covered in a special cushioned artificial turf with antibacterial properties to ensure the highest level of cleanliness. In addition, the dog park features dog-friendly ramps, a pool for low-impact exercise and three different levels to accommodate dogs of different sizes.
Inside, our day care rooms feature custom one-piece epoxy flooring, which is padded for the animal's joints. We also have a central wet/dry vacuum system, which ensures immediate cleanliness and a living room environment. My favorite amenity as a dog owner is that we offer clients 24/7 access to webcams at all Spot locations. It is our priority to have complete transparency for our clients and we encourage owners to log on from their phones or computers to keep an eye on their pups anytime from anywhere via webcam.
FF: Neat! Why did you decide to have Spot 72 and what makes it different from dog parks?
Spot:I love that dog parks bring dogs together to get exercise and to socialize. However, it's always been a concern to me when I see dogs getting rowdy, fighting or exhibiting bad behavior that isn’t being corrected. We believe that socializing dogs properly, whether through day care or overnights is crucial for the health, safety and happiness of owner and pet. Dogs are pack animals and they should have fun at dog parks - Spot offers all of this with a close eye and positive reinforcement.
FF: Where can folks learn more?
Spot: We are so excited for grand opening of Spot 72 and look forward to more opening more locations in the tri-state region. We offer grooming services, training, long-term overnights at our country home in upstate New York, and only the best experts in the industry.
For additional information, please visit www.TheSpotExperience.com.
Spot on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/spotdogsrule
Twitter: @spotdogsrule
We look forward to meeting you and your pooch soon!
*Photos Copyright Roger Kisby and used with permission.
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