Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Donley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 1992, my dog “Breaker” had a skin infection as a result of a flea allergy. Our veterinarian recommended he be washed every day for two weeks with a medicated shampoo. When I did it in the shower, he and my other dog would escape and run from the bathroom throughout the house leaving hair and shampoo everywhere (mirrors, ceilings, furniture) which took hours to clean. It took a load of laundry to clean the towels, and I never felt he got clean or rinsed well enough. My business partner, Mindy Pellissier, and I knew there must be a better way. Mindy had opened a number of medical clinics in San Diego and sketched a facility that would work as a self-serve dog wash with raised tubs and water saving hoses. I had been taking the dogs to Dog Beach daily for several years and had begun volunteering at every beach cleanup. I interviewed hundreds of other Dog Beach visitors to see if they would use such a service and the overwhelming response was “yes.”
We opened in February 1993, and will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2018. We’ve done more than 550,000 dog washes, and helped similar businesses open in Europe, Canada and throughout the United States. We added the nail trimming service, do-it-yourself grooming, and our website in 1996, and began organizing our Friends of Dog Beach volunteer force to conduct monthly beach cleanups, and have been providing free poop pickup bags at the beach (about 10,000 bags a week) since then.
In addition to the dog wash and nail trimming service, we offer a wide selection of retail accessories including a large selection of floating toys, collars and leashes, grooming supplies, natural and made in the USA dog and cat toys, treats, health supplements and safe and effective treatments for flea and tick problems. Until last year we offered dog training classes with APDT certified trainers, but due to rising rents we had to downsize and gave up our training space.
Because dogs need to go out every day, we are open every day of the year, although we do close early on 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Our regular hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Has it been a smooth road?
We’ve been fortunate to not have any major problems in our 25 years of operation. Our biggest challenge is how damaging water can be.
We’ve had good luck in having great plumbers to fix leaks, and wear and tear in pipes and hard water deposits. We meet all ADA requirements.
Competition keeps us focused on providing great service at a fair price. We are grateful to have friendly, loyal and knowledgeable employees who love dogs as much as we do. We love the Ocean Beach community and participate in many local activities, and support many dog rescue groups who look for forever homes for lost or homeless pets.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dog Beach Dog Wash – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Dog Beach Dog Wash offers dog (and cat) guardians a convenient and friendly environment to keep their pets clean, healthy and happy. A clean dog gets more human affection and family interaction. We clean and disinfect every tub and utensil used between each pet, and often help discover issues that need veterinarian attention. We help to insure a strong and loving bond between the pet and its family for its lifetime.
We are likely the oldest and busiest dog wash in the country and are proud of the high standards we continue to hold. We are supportive of the Ocean Beach community, dogs of all breeds and temperaments, clean beaches, and safe and sustainable environments for people and animals. We provide gift certificates for local nonprofit organizations that support dogs and wildlife, environmental progress, kids’ education, health care, and artistic endeavors.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love how dog friendly San Diego has become, from the establishment in l972 of Dog Beach as a leash-free playground for dogs 24 hours a day, and many fenced dog parks throughout the city. The support of the County’s Animal Services Department, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, and the city’s Park and Recreation Department is also greatly appreciated.
We encourage the support of local law enforcement staff to enforce the ordinances banning dogs off leash in public spaces, and against those who neglect to pick up after their pets. We abhor the litter, especially cigarette butts, left at our beaches by rude and selfish visitors.
We will continue to educate and set good examples to those who enjoy their pets at our public beaches and parks by leaving only paw prints.
Pricing:
- As our costs keep rising, we’ve tried to keep our prices as low as possible. We currently charge $15 for a self-serve wash, but offer discounts throughout the year for more than one dog, weekday frequent wash & nail trim stamps (get 9 stamps and the 10th wash/trim is free)
- We sell coupon books three times a year, with four washes or nail trims for $48 ($12 each). The next sale is from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. We serve lemonade for summer holidays, and hot spiced cider from Thanksgiving to New Year’s as a thank you to customers.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107
- Website: www.dogwash.com
- Phone: 619-523-1700
- Email: dogs@dogwash.com
- Facebook: www.facebook/DogBeachDogWash
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dog-beach-dog-wash-san-diego
Image Credit:
Dog Wash
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
