‘Pet hotel’ business thrives as Kenyans travel for festivities

At the heart of Kahawa Sukari, just off Nairobi’s Thika Road lies a holiday pet lodge for slithering, fishy and four-legged members of our families.

One is welcomed to a lively scene of dogs frolicking, and some basking in the morning sun.

In a corner of the reception area, there is a cute white hamster scurrying about in a glass enclosure.

Further indoors, are rooms spread out over two floors in a white, dazzling building with brick roofing and wide windows where the pets are boarded. Welcome to Royal Pets where pet parents leave their fur babies while they travel for the holidays.

For the 10 years that Roy Oliver Oduor, who founded this boarding kennel, has been in business, it is this group of holidaymakers that drive his numbers.

Read: My dogs and I

“If left alone without water, dogs will starve to death. They can go for between two and three weeks without food and will become skinny, but if you don’t give them water daily, they will die. Fish, like the goldfish, will eat each other in the fish tank if you do not feed them daily or every other day.

“On the flip side, if you have a roaming cat, it will run away from home, walk for about six or seven kilometres a day or night to eat whatever it can find, mark its territory and then come back,” says Mr Oduor.

Travelling with pets is a stressful ordeal.

“It’s hard going on vacation with pets. It’s too much work for the pets, they become stressed. Dogs don’t like long travels and being out of their normal environments. Cats don’t like moving at all. They are the worst because they are more sensitive. And you can’t travel with fish or leave them alone. Snake pets are easier and very chilled out because they don’t move a lot if they are in their cages but you know the negative reputation attached to them. No one will want them around,” says Mr Oduor.

This has led to booming business for pet hotels and lodges, especially in Nairobi, charging per day, depending on the animal and days of the week.

At The Royal Pets, Mr Oduor has already received bookings for 20 dogs, 10 cats and seven rabbits.

The Royal Pets founder Roy Oliver with some of his pets at Kahawa Sukari Estate in Nairobi, Kenya on December 18, 2023. PHOTO LUCY WANJIRU | NMG

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“The average number of days they stay with us is five days and five nights [during the holidays as owners travel],” he says.

He charges Sh900 for small dogs and Sh1,300 for big dogs. Additionally, some pet owners request grooming of the fur babies for Sh4,500 for small dogs and Sh5,500 for big dogs such as German Shepherds. Some also ask for the pets to be picked and delivered or shipped across local and international borders.

Booming business

During the holiday season, the pet lodge gets fully booked, with some kennel owners having to give priority to their clients, before boarding any new pets.

At Planet Canine Kenya, a kennel located on Nairobi’s Ngong Road and strictly dealing with dogs, on average they expect between 20 and 30 dogs during this peak season. They charge between Sh700 and Sh1,000 per day, depending on the size of the dog.

“On average, during this season, clients leave their dogs for between two and three days,” says Caroline Mutuku.

Portam Kennels, which also strictly lodges dogs, and is located in Dagoretti South off Naivasha Road, hosts 30 dogs on average.

“Per week, for large dogs, we charge Sh2,000 while for smaller dogs Sh1,500. On average, the pets stay with us for two to three months. Over this festive season, the bookings are still rolling in,” says Newton Mwaniki.

Other pet-stay facilities such as in Wangige off Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, for instance, charge Sh2,000 for weekdays and Sh2,500 on weekends while another in Kiambu County charges Sh2,700.

Read: Pet grooming kits business

Tick all boxes

With the increase in the number of pet-stay facilities in Nairobi, owners are competing on how comfortable the pet accommodation is, safety measures in place to protect the animal from harm, exercise areas, nutritious meals provided such as rice and minced meat unless the pet has any special dietary needs, medical care in instances of emergencies, professional staff, well-maintained and hygienic spaces as well as convenient locations and hours.

The American Eskimo dog at The Royal Pets at Kahawa Sukari Estate in Nairobi, Kenya on December 18, 2023. PHOTO LUCY WANJIRU | NMG

Mr Oduor seems to have ticked the boxes going the number of loyal clients, including Kenyan comedian Njugush, born Timothy Ndegwa, who boards his three social media-famous dogs- Sam, Bobby and latest stray acquisition, Simba (with a silent m), according to him.

“First-time clients who want to have their pets boarded with The Royal Pets have to provide documents proving that their pets are vaccinated.

“This will prevent the spread of diseases to other pets. The pet also has to be microchipped as well as have taken medication for tick control. They will also have to provide all necessary information in the event their pets have an emergency while in our care and how they expect us to proceed when it does occur,” says Mr Oduor.

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Sh300,000 on a pet

The longest the Royal Pets have boarded a pet was nine months. A client dropped off his dog while he completed the construction of his home. He paid Sh301,400.

Has Mr Oduor met pet parents who are too attached to their pets that they worry if they leave them behind?

“Yes, I have. They are more sensitive because they want to know that their pet is safe. Most are too attached to how they are with their children. I’ve noticed this with pets that are six years old and above. Both the owner and the pet have seen each other through many seasons, including difficult and happy times. When the pet is away, we find ourselves in positions where we have to show that the pet is happy and waiting for its owner to come back for it. Even on trips, you find them wondering how their pets are doing. If you are used to your pet, you will know if it is doing okay or not but we have a calm environment here and it’s easy for pets to adapt,” says Mr Oduor.

Nelson Saitu, a Nairobi-based counselling psychologist, says some pet parents go above and beyond for their pets as a means of thanking them for being part of their lives.

“Some pet parents can get too attached and spend lavishly on them because, on one hand, they want to tell their pets ‘Thank you’ for accompanying them and getting them out of many deep mental health and psychological pits. It is a way of thanking them by wanting them to experience the best. Sometimes, people consider this lavish spending on pets as lavish spending on themselves—they have linked the identity of the pet with their own. It can be unhealthy at times because this money can go into other things but again, it’s their money and they can use it as they please,” he says.

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