The first luxury hotel for dogs, Actuel Dogs, was opened last year in Vincennes outside of Paris. France is not the only one who treats animals in a special luxurious way. Ruff Club, recently opened at 34 Avenue A in the East Village, isn’t the hotel, but offers special care for dogs. This is a social club for dogs which accepts only dogs it deems properly mannered. All interested pet owners must go through an interview which takes about an hour and is almost as rigorous as any for private school. Like some of the prestigious Clubs for people, Ruff Club is members only, and the membership is priced at $149 a year with daycare starting at $29 and boarding at $49 a night.
Alexia Simon nad Danny Frost, with their dog Leo, are opening a unique new dog daycare and social club
It’s not easy to become a member of Ruff Club. The people do not have to go through a screening process, while dogs have to. The dogs are tested to ensure that they can be easily handled and play well with others, for dogs that have separation anxiety, club even offers a generous separation anxiety window.
Owned by Danny Frost and Alexia Simon Frost, Ruff Club is a place where dogs and their human friends can hang out. Dog’s owners can check their four-leg friends in through an iPad check-in system. They can even watch dog’s activities remotely thanks to webcams.
Because of health codes, Ruff Club isn’t able to serve food or drinks, but the Frosts are investigating the possibility of owners bringing their own.
Along with the daycare and kennel, Ruff Club will also provide nighttime classes, which could be opened up to the general public, according to its owners. Dogsitting on Friday and Saturday nights could be another option. They also intend to offer the location as a meeting spot for local groups and organizations.
