Bark Street - A Doggy Boarding Facility

Many dog owners treat their pooches like their very own children, pampering them in every way imaginable. This kind of affection could either have good or bad effects on the pets. That is where Manisha Wimalasekara comes into the picture - an avid dog lover since her younger days; she has been showing and training dogs for quite some time.

Embracing the policy that pets have to be loved yet kept in their place, Manisha practises this balance with all the dogs she handles. Realizing there was a niche in the market for a quality dog training, grooming and boarding service, she along with her husband who is also a dog lover, set up Bark Street a doggy boarding facility at their residence in Hendala, Wattala.

Situated on a 1 acre land, overlooking the beach, Manisha runs Bark Street, not the average boarding facility you see in movies; it is literally a hotel for dogs, with their very own swimming pool, a large play area and dedicated staff who ensure your pets are well looked after during your absence.

And if you are still worried about your pet, Manisha says “We allow owners to check their pets' progress through Skype.” This is done at specific times during the day when Manisha gives an allotted time for owners to come online and see what their dogs are up to.

Manisha added that due to the extensive heat the country is experiencing, she has ordered a set of fans for each of the kennels to ensure that each dog does not feel the effects of the heat.

The charges for boarding services are Rs. 500/= per day for puppies and small breeds and Rs.700/= per day for large dogs. This is inclusive of meals and walks. An additional sum is charged for pet owners who would like to have their dogs run on the beach which comes with a sea bath as well.

Dinesh, the boarding’s manager is an expert trainer who has complete control over every single dog that he handles. He has many years of experience in the field and together with Manisha, the duo demonstrated a couple of techniques on “Red” a massive Doberman owned by Manisha.

Manisha adds that usually dog trainers visit owners and teach dogs the basic commands and that is the end of it, which results in your dog not actually listening to you. "Even the owner needs to be trained and that is what we do here; in addition to training the dog we also teach owners how to control them"

Manisha says they also provide prospective pet owners advice when getting a puppy for the first time, “We believe in fitting the right dog with the right owner.”

By Reihan Stephen

2013-04-12