Thursday, January 14, 2010

Luxury resort is strictly for pets

11 Jan 10 @ 08:30am

TERRIGAL’S newest luxury resort has its own lagoon, lap pool and a soon-to-be-completed day spa.

The staff even make iceblocks on site for those particularly warm, summer days.

But before you rush to book yourself in, human guests are not accommodated at this sprawling 2ha property, which took a year and more than $1 million to build.

Pet Resorts Australia opened its Terrigal business, catering primarily for dogs and cats, in the days before Christmas and the response has already been overwhelming.

The staff welcomed their first guests on December 21 and on December 24, they had 110 dogs "check in’’.

Pet Resorts Australia chief executive officer Sarah Peters-Denning said Terrigal was chosen due to its accessibility and popularity as a holiday destination.

Ms Peters-Denning said their extensive research left them with no concerns as to the possible success of the venture during the current economic climate.

"People still love their pets and people are also holidaying closer to home,’’ she said.

While the luxury suites, which will include a Tiffany-themed room are still to be completed, they will include their own plasma television and webcam, so owners can check in on their pets.

The standard accommodation is also impressive, with underfloor heating and courtyard access in separate villas for large and small dogs. The pets are then matched based on their breed, age and temperament.

There’s no better recommendation than repeat business with the Terrigal resort already boasting its first return client a six-year-old labradoodle named Rufus Henry.

Pet Resorts Australia managing director Steve Austin said once the resort was fully established, the organisation would then work towards building the educational side of the business. He hoped to work in closely with schools in providing vocational experience for students, as well as putting on educational demonstrations. ....meanwhile at the other side of the world.... Children and families are fighting for survival in an area facing severe drought and the deadly threat of famine. Every seven seconds, a child dies at the hand of a silent killer. Hunger. Right now, millions of children in Africa are at risk of starvation. Having a reliable source of nutritious food cuts a community's child death rate by half. Still, millions of children go to bed hungry each night.