By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Mar 03, 2021 at 6:28 PM

For pet caregivers with the means and the desire to keep their pups agile and socialized while they work or are away from the home, doggy daycare is a godsend. 

And especially after the pandemic chills out and life goes back to some form of "normal," many pups aren't going to understand why their humans are leaving the house so much after a year of snuggling in.

In a post-COVID world, doggy day cares might really makes sense. Thus, here are 5 local doggy daycares with great reviews and ratings:

Camp Bow Wow
8411 S. Liberty Ln., Oak Creek, (414) 808-2275
1707 Paramount Ct., Waukesha, (262) 547-9663.  

campbowwow.com
Camp Bow Wow is a franchise owned locally by Brett Ippolite that offers day and overnight services complete with fun little extras. "There's always a special nightly 'campfire treat' for overnight guests," says Ippolite. Plus, facilities have web cams so fur-parents can check in on their pets at any time. Training services also available. 

Central Bark Dog Daycare
420 S. 1st St., (414) 347-9612
3675 N. 124th St., Brookfield, (262) 781-5554
333 N. 25th St., (414) 933-4787
6228 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 771-7200
1075 Northbranch Dr., Oak Creek, (414) 571-1500
9550 S. 60th St., Franklin, (414) 421-9003
11035 Weston Dr., Mequon, (262) 512-9663
centralbarkusa.com

Central Bark is a franchise started by husband-and-wife team Jackie Jordan and Chris Gaba in 1999. Today, it is one of the largest networks of day care for dogs in the country. Signature Central Bark care philosophies include "Whole Dog Care" which combines decades of dog experience with the latest dog behavior science. Services include Enrichment Doggy Day Care, salon & spa, "weekends" and more.

Happy Paws Grooming & Daycare
5401 W. State St., (414) 778-0112
2929 N. 114th St., Waukesha, (262) 491-5508
happypawsmke.com

Happy Paws was started in 2014 by dog lover Shawn Davis. The business offers day care, boarding, training, grooming, party rental, swimming and washing services. "I wanted to open a daycare/kennel where not only the dogs felt welcome, but where their owners felt welcome, too," says Davis.

London's Loving Pet Care
8532 W. Brown Deer Rd., (414)  458-5742
londonslovingpetcarellc.com

London's Loving Pet Care provides daycare, grooming and boarding in a large, renovated facility. The business is owned by Jazmine Swan and her 8-year-old "assistant" and son, London. Swan has a Veterinary Assistant certificate as well as a Business Management degree and spent years working for numerous groomers, doggie daycares and most recently as a veterinary assistant at Wright's Brown Deer Animal Hospital. 

Playtime Doggy Daycare
1204 W. Layton Ave., (414)  939-8724
528 S. 108th St., (414) 475-7708
playtimedog.com

Playtime is a dream-come-true business for Jody Pawelski. After a career with the Marines, Pawelski got extensive training as a dog handler, trainer, groomer and veterinarian technician. These experiences inspired her to open her own doggy daycare. Playtime also offers grooming and boarding. "Dogs I've worked with in the past still recognize me at dog parks across the city today," says Pawelski. (And c'mon, even the word "paw" is in her name!)


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.