Video Link: News Clip on Charlotte TV Channel 3
New pet resort opens near airport

Posted: Aug 18, 2009 11:29 AM EST
Updated: Aug 18, 2009 5:38 PM EST

By Kristen Miranda

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Any pet owner knows it can be stressful to find a suitable place to leave your pet if you are away on business or vacation. 

A new pet "resort" near Charlotte's airport is hoping it can fill a niche by providing what it calls top of the line caretaking.

Pet Paradise opened in early August and is the 13th in a chain of pet resorts in areas all across the country.  It's mission is to provide a safe, clean, secure place for pets to stay.  However, the emphasis is on fun and luxury.

Just one look at the dog bone shaped swimming pool in the courtyard is proof of that and while many of the dogs we saw at the resort kept their distance, there was a black lab getting his owner's money's worth out of it.

Pet Paradise was planned for Charlotte long before the economy took a nose-dive.  Still the owners kept on with their plan with the faith that the economy would turn around and people would start spending again.

"When you look at the demographics of our customers, you would think it would only be high-end folks because we're not inexpensive.  However the people who are in love with their pets will often do for their pets before they do for themselves," said Fred Goldsmith, the "top dog" and CEO of Pet Paradise.

One night for one dog at Pet Paradise costs $35.  That includes 30 minutes of play time.  Everything else is a la carte, from getting access to the individual web cams in every guest room, to a blanket or special treats.
Watch the video to get a look inside the resort.

Article Source: http://www.wbtv.com/global/story.asp?s=10949221