Pet Services in Richmond

During a full day of daycare, canines will enjoy leashed walks throughout the neighbourhood while also getting the opportunity to stretch out their legs on more than 3,000 square feet of play area, including 600 square feet of outside romping space. Give your Chihuahua the social interaction it so sorely lacks, or let the family Schnauzer enjoy surroundings that aren't covered in newsprint wallpaper. The Woof will pick up pooches anywhere in North Vancouver or Burnaby, including office buildings (pick-up and drop-off outside of those areas will cost $5 each way). Purchase up to five Groupons and give your better half five days of tail-wagging tranquility at The Woof.

At Wizard of Paws, one of the city's only government-certified groomers, Rachel Walker and her team of canine-savvy stylists specialize in washing and trimming all manner of dog fur on breeds as small as a chihuahua or as large as a bernese mountain dog. Armed with natural shampoos and cleansers, as well as a repertoire of clipper- and scissor-based shearing techniques, the groomers snip overlong coats, ensuring pups are no longer able to hide a cache of smuggled treats on their backs. The groomers also carry a selection of holistic and grain-free food and treats, and they never kennel-dry beloved pooches.

Los Vientos Equestrian Centre's hooved tenants include school, sale, and lease horses and ponies that delight pleasure riders and regularly win laurels in a variety of equestrian contests. The assembly of in-house instructors includes accomplished coaches such as Eleonore Elstone—a member of Canada's Paralympic dressage team—and Shelley Mills—a horseback specialist who teaches English riding basics to those interested in both competitive and recreational galloping. The spacious facilities offer boarding service for horses seeking proper shelter, with 31 covered stalls equipped to suit nearly every stallion's need. Sheltered turnout paddocks allow steeds to graze, a total of six hay and grain feedings each day provide nourishment, and individual lockers serve as spot for adolescent ponies to store their saddles and hang Paul Anka posters.

Like many dog owners in a two-worker household, Russell Simpson had to figure out how to best take care of his chocolate labrador, Riley, when no one was home. A growing pup with lots of energy, Riley soon left the house torn apart and riddled with evidence of poker parties. Then Simpson took his dog to daycare and something miraculous happened: Riley started coming home content, relaxed, and manageable. But even with this improvement in Riley's behaviour, Simpson couldn't help but look around his dog's daycare and see an opportunity to make it even better. So he found a warehouse and applied his construction skills to a redesign.

Today, Simpson and his team—along with Riley and regulars such as Lucy—welcome clients and their four-legged friends to We Care Dog Daycare. Together they elevate the dog-daycare experience by rotating the dogs hourly—while some play indoors, the others are taken out on walks, which are included as standard. They also offer owners premium services, such as taking active dogs out on two-hour adventure hikes, or older dogs out on one-hour leisure walks. Further services include grooming, a dog taxi, and training with an accredited dog trainer. We Care's staff also runs a dog-of-the-month program, which recognizes especially well-behaved dogs with rewards such as an adventure walk or a five-album record deal.

As renowned veterinarian and Good Morning America contributor Dr. Marty Becker perused the thousands of new products at the 2011 Global Pet Expo, the innovative SmartTag Pet ID instantly became one of his favourites. Dreamed up by the pet-loving masterminds at LittleGifts, the SmartTag system engraves handsome brass and aluminum tags with a beloved pet's name and contact numbers before storing the information online alongside the animal's pictures. Should Fido wander off, owners can contact a 24-hour emergency centre, which immediately broadcasts the pet's information to local animal shelters, rescue groups, and vets. The SmartTag website updates regularly with lists of found cats, dogs, and lobsters dressed in convincing dog costumes.

Lacrosse coach and certified dog trainer Adam Smith transforms aggressive, fearful, and hyperactive dogs into well-adjusted companions. Eschewing treat-based reward training, Adam instead focuses on earning the trust of his canine students with positive energy and open communication. He then leads dogs through a training regimen designed to develop their minds, bodies, and ability to speak in a human voice. Working from the training centre at Anacare Kennels, Adam offers services that include short- and long-term care and training, stand-alone mini lectures and board-and-train boot camps.