This Doggy School Bus In PJ & Hartamas Picks Up Doggos Every Morning For Daycare
How do I sign up for this job? T_T
By Tamara Jayne — 20 Nov 2024, 05:32 PM
Imagine a school bus pulling up to your house each morning. But instead of kids with backpacks, it's full of excited, tail-wagging doggos ready for an adventure.
In Petaling Jaya and Hartamas, this adorable scene is real life!
The Doggy School Bus is the coolest ride in town that picks up pups and takes them to an action-packed day at doggy daycare.
The idea for this pawsome service came from Amanda, a former news presenter for NTV7. After the channel shut down, she returned to her lifelong passion: caring for dogs.
When she adopted one of her rescues, she struggled to find a good doggy daycare. "Many places kept dogs in cages and charged extra for walks, which I felt was unfair," Amanda told SAYS.
Inspired by a cute doggy bus video from the US, she decided to bring the concept to life.
Bright and early each morning, the doggy school bus rolls into neighbourhoods, like a VIP limousine for pets
A typical day for the dogs at the Hartamas branch starts with socialising with other adventure dogs before heading to Paws Playland, an off-leash park at Gamuda Gardens.
The dogs go on these adventures three times a week — every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — with a group of about 10 dogs.
Then, it's back to the centre for more play, a swim, and even a shower and basic grooming before heading home. It's a day full of exercise, cuddles, and wagging tails!
When the doggy bus pulls up, some pups get so excited they bark and tug at their leashes
"They recognise us, and it's the most rewarding thing when that happens!" Amanda said. Their enthusiasm makes all the effort worthwhile.
Unlike a regular school bus, there aren't assigned seats. "We use an MPV with doggy seat belts that let the pups move around," Amanda explained. The dogs happily find their favourite spots and enjoy the ride.
Every day brings new adventures — and some hilarious moments too
"Sometimes, dogs out for walks with their owners recognise the bus and try to hop on, which is cute but a bit sad," Amanda shared.
And, of course, there are the occasional mishaps. "Dogs sometimes poop in the car! We remind owners to feed their pups and make sure they've done their business before pick-up," she laughed.
To be part of the bus crew, dogs need to be friendly with both humans and other dogs, fully vaccinated, and on flea and tick prevention
Dogs that are overly jumpy or aggressive may require additional supervision or may not be suitable for daycare. To ensure your dog meets the criteria, a mandatory meet-and-greet is required prior to booking.
Both daycare branches are free-roam, meaning the dogs can play as they please
The PJ branch offers agility and obedience training, along with off-leash adventures in Rawang.
The Hartamas branch has the same, plus swimming sessions. If a dog needs some quiet time, they can nap in a kennel.
For Amanda and her team, the best part is the love they get from the dogs. "They bark, cuddle, and lick us, and their owners appreciate how much we care," she shared.
While the doggy bus has been a huge success, Amanda is now working on a new project: a pet funeral service. "We won't be expanding the doggy bus for now," she added.
