High-end dog boarding to open near Woman’s Hospital in spring

Drew Detlefs’ premium dog-boarding facility will be so close to the new Woman’s Hospital, the Camp Bow Wow franchisee envisions “labor deals” for families bringing a new baby into the world, whereby Rover or Fluffy gets dropped off beforehand. “Being next to that hospital is huge,” says Detlefs, who hopes to open Camp Bow Wow at 7195 Pecue Lane by mid-May. Detlefs and his father, Phil Detlefs, bought the one-acre site last summer and are breaking ground on a 13,500-square-foot facility that includes a covered outdoor play area for dogs. The project is valued at $1.3 million, according to the building permit. Drew Detlefs says the facility will include 90 cabins and eight luxury suites—including TVs—for dogs; he also plans to include a training program and on-site grooming center. Dogs, however, will be on a vacation of their own if left at the franchise pet care company: Canines will have the run of the facilities to their owners’ content during daylight hours, Detlefs says. To get that freedom outside a standard boarding kennel, Detlefs says, dogs must first undergo a free “interview process” to ensure they are not aggressive during an extended stay. Detlefs says he has visited other Camp Bow Wow facilities—New Orleans, Lafayette and Covington each have one—and has witnessed the sleep-induction effect hours of play can have on canines. “When you turn the lights out, all the barking stops. They go to sleep,” he says. —Adam Pearson