Camp Bow Wow doggy daycare eyes Swansea opening

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SWANSEA — Summer camp won’t just be for local human children anymore.

Camp Bow Wow, a Colorado-based company running dog daycare facilities across the country, wants to open a new location in Swansea. Site plans have been submitted to town officials for review and Town Planner John Hansen said Monday’s meeting between developers and Planning Board members went well.

“They just had a preliminary discussion with the board, but they’ll have to come back with more detailed plans,” Hansen said Tuesday. “I would guess the review of those detailed plans will probably take them into September before they’re back before us.”

As far as he knew, Hansen said Camp Bow Wow’s proposal would be the only business of its kind in Swansea, assuming it receives all of the necessary local approvals.

The business is being opened by local residents Jason and Aimee Cyr, according to the proposal they submitted to the Planning Board. The Cyrs have already purchased a property at 270 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, which they describe as “perfect” for their planned business.

The proposal describes Camp Bow Wow as a “fun, safe and upscale environment for dogs to play, romp and receive lots of love and attention.” The business would provide daycare, indoor overnight boarding, grooming and training.

According to the Cyrs, Camp Bow Wow has grown to more than 160 locations across North America over the last 17 years. The nearest operational Camp Bow Wow franchise is in West Warwick, Rhode Island, a roughly 25-mile drive from Swansea. The proposed Swansea location is expected to serve much of Bristol County.

The Cyrs' business would provide visiting dogs a monitored open-play environment staffed by employees trained in dog behavior and certified in pet first aid. The facility would be monitored 24/7 and offer live web cams that could let owners check on their dogs from anywhere with internet access.

The Cyrs also plan to work with the nonprofit The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, which helps provide medical care funds to pet owners struggling to pay veterinary bills and to shelters housing dogs waiting for adoption.

Other community service efforts would include a grand opening adoption event, “yappy hour” fundraising events for local pet charities, animal training for local animal shelters, and discounts for local public service providers from police, fire and military backgrounds. Training and socialization services would also be offered to foster dogs.

The property owned by the Cyrs is undeveloped and their plans outline an investment of $560,000 in the project. Submitted site plans show construction would include developing a completely new building, attached septic system and a roughly 50-space parking lot. The property is bordered by parcels owned by C.P. Pools and several residents to the east and a residential parcel to the west.