Capel Canines Doggy Daycare and Grooming Ipswich are part of a growing industry of self-start dog grooming, dog sitting and training facilities across the UK. Run by husband and wife, Michael and Marie, themselves animal lovers with four dogs and horses. Marie is qualified in Dog Grooming as well as Canine Behaviour and Management. Michael used to work his springer spaniels and has completed training with gun dogs. He is also a qualified Paramedic. Both are qualified in Canine First Aid.
Since 2008 they have provided mobile dog grooming services but recently but in 2012 acquired and business unit on a farm. Their ambition was to create a multi-service facility that offered pet grooming services as well as a doggy day care centre. A large part of this vision was to have a play area suitable for the wide range of dogs under their care. As well as all the usual toys and props, the other major consideration was the type of flooring to lay. The team wanted a low-cost flooring that both insulated and performed well underfoot for the four legged friends. Another major consideration was the ease of cleaning and repairing the floor after the inevitable.
Having seen a number of other facilities use soft interlocking EVA foam tiles for dog training and agility flooring, Capel Canines approached local business Soft Floor UK for advice. Soon, the decision was made to use Classic interlocking mats by Soft Floor UK as they are an affordable solution, already used in the industry with great success.
Capel Canines co-owner Marie said:
“Once we saw other dog facilities using the mats, it was obvious they were the right flooring for us.” She added: “We were really impressed with the range of colour options available and selected brown and lime green to give as close as possible grass and mud effect. The finished effect when laid down looks very professional and eye catching!”
Capel Canines ordered an initial quantity of 1,000 tiles across the two colours. Co-owner Michael said:
“We like the fact the tiles are really durable and easy to clean down after each session. We’ve had a few accidents but the tiles are so easy to replace, it’s not a problem!”
When asked about the service they had received from Soft Floor UK, the response was very positive:
“When we first started out we were unsure as to which product we needed for the business. A call to the Soft Floor UK team really helped us understand what the options were and what would suit our needs best. There is so much choice it can be bewildering so I would recommend chatting to the Sales Team.”
Classic EVA puzzle mats are 50cm by 50cm and 14mm thick and provide excellent cushioned support and fall protection for hard floors. They can be laid quickly and cleaned easily, and have a strong interlocking design to improve slip-resistance. The 50cm Classic interlocking jigsaw mats are available directly from the Soft Floor UK website: softfloor.co.uk or by calling 01206 390 570.
Resources
> Capel Canines, Ipswich based Doggy Daycare & Grooming
> Capel Canines on Facebook