A family-run 'doggy day care' in Meldreth has expanded to a new premises at a turkey farm.
Mum-of-two Christina Pollard started running Family Pet Care from her home 10 years ago, enabling her to continue working with animals while raising her children.
She said: "I have always owned and worked with animals, from exotics like big cats and African hunting dogs at Colchester Zoo, to domestic animals like horses, cats and dogs."
During the pandemic the business faced uncertainties - and Christina feared it would have to close permanently.
However, through hard work and determination, the business started to grow, and in May 2022 Christina started the search for a new premises to expand.
After an extensive search, Family Pet Care now rents a space at Valley Farm in Meldreth. The unit has undergone a full renovation, and has been transformed into a fully operational doggy day care.
The day care also offers home visits to pets and overnight boarding, and is licensed and insured for hosting up to 35 dogs.
Christina said: "I am so pleased with my new premises; we have an outdoor play area with agility courses, ball pools, paddling pools and plenty of time for love and hugs.
"We find enrichment for dogs very important and try to reduce stress in dogs and reinforce socialisation practices.
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"We also have a puppy room for the little ones, and when they are ready, they move to socialise with the adult dogs."
Christina holds an Animal Science degree and she and her team are fully trained in canine first aid and expanding their animal welfare knowledge.
She said: "Our passion in life is to provide a happy and safe environment for the dogs that are entrusted in our care.
"This isn’t just a job to us, this means the world to myself and my team here at Family Pet Care.
"To think where I was during the lockdown, to now, is amazing and I am so grateful to the community for supporting me."
Family Pet Care is open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 6pm.
For more information go to https://www.familypetcare.co/.
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