Words: Zena le Roux | Images: Supplied
If you’re at work or going on holiday, Doggy Active can look after your furry children. Nicci Cloete Swart provides pet-sitting services and looks after your pets as if they were her own.
How did your business start?
The inspiration for Doggy Active was the love I have for my three Huskies. I love walking, training and playing with them. I, therefore, thought that starting a pet-sitting business would be something fun to do part-time. I soon realised that dogs are my life and that I wanted to work and play with them all the time. I decided to start Doggy Active and run it from home. I work from home most of the time anyway as I’m also a property specialist, which allows me flexible hours. I officially launched Doggy Active on 1 July last year.
Why did you choose this area to set up shop?
I live in Sterrewag, so it was the obvious choice to run my business from. When I was house hunting, I looked for a house with a big yard, quiet streets and for something that is in close proximity to parks – I was lucky to find exactly that.
How did you find your premises?
I was looking for a house with a big lawn and a swimming pool as our Huskies need space to play and cool off. After a lot of house searching, we eventually found something perfect for all of us.
Why are they ideally suited to your business?
Our house is perfect for dogs as there are three different terrains for them to play on, as well as a pool. Our house is built next to the Sterrewag Conservation Area – we have access to it, so we can use it for walks etc. The house is walking distance from two dog parks and it is also located on a quiet street which is perfect for walking, running and playing with the “kids”.
Who are your neighbours?
I stay in a residential area. My neighbours are a friendly older couple on the one side, and a younger couple with a child on the other. Most of the people in my neighbourhood have pets, so they don’t really mind the barking.
What are the rental/sales prices like in this area?
You can rent a house from around R11,000 and upwards.
How many people visit your business?
I don’t have daily customers for Doggy Active. I usually only get clients on weekends, long weekends, public holidays and school holidays. The numbers are starting to pick up, but it greatly depends on the time of the year as well as my capacity.
Do you have any expansion plans?
Not at the moment as I’m quite happy with how things are going.
Do you operate online as well?
I don’t have a website yet, but I operate mostly through my Facebook page.
What’s your most popular service?
Pet sitting at clients’ homes. To feed, play and walk clients’ dogs are also quite popular.
Doggy Active
072 992 8963
facebook.com/doggyactive
