The good people at Petopia have taken pampering your pets to a whole new level. With spa and healing services such as their revolutionary Far Infrared therapy (FIR) and unique micro-bubble baths, pets can now indulge in a truly utopian experience.
Petopia has adopted a truly transparent concept, with floor to ceiling glass panels that allow pet owners to watch while their pet is being groomed, bathed, and even when they are in day care. Webcams are fitted inside each room of their boarding facility, so pet owners can keep an eye on their pets even when they are away.
Petopia’s microbubble baths are unique to the region. Fitted to a special tub that is similar to a jacuzzi, the micro-bubble machine issues jets of miniscule water molecules that have several lasting health benefits for your pet. The micro-bubbles are so small that they are able to penetrate deep into the pores of the skin, thus removing dirt more effectively than soaps or shampoos. This is especially so for pets with skin problems; the micro-bubbles also remove dead keratin, which keep the coat free from irritation and odours. The ultrasonic speed at which the micro-bubbles are released massages the muscles and invigorates the body.
Another specialty is their Far Infrared therapy, where healing clay packs are applied on the coats of the animal while they lie beneath the infrared machine. The machine gives off radiant heat, which is akin to sunlight without the harmful ultraviolet rays. The entire session lasts for 20 minutes and helps to strengthen the immune system and improve blood circulation.
But concerned pet owners wonder if their dogs or cats will be well-behaved when receiving the treatments. Uncooperative pets have been known to struggle and kick when they are being handled by strangers. Will this behaviour be compounded in an unfamiliar setting? Will hyperactive pets be able to sit through the entire treatment session?
Marketing director, Richard Wee, says that Petopia staff take extra care to ensure that the pets they put through treatment are comfortable with the handler in order to avoid stress and anxiety. They also employ a multi-sensory approach to keep the animals calm. Calming essential oils are used throughout the premises while soothing music is played gently in the background. According to Richard, the animals react well to aromatherapy and music and are hardly a handful during treatment. Petopia also has mobile cleaning stations, which are designed to keep the place clean and comfortable during your pet’s stay.
Still, while the services offered are beneficial to our pets, will the standard of the services be maintained during peak periods? A micro-bubble bath takes about 20 minutes to half an hour, depending on the size of your pet. So it begs the question – will my pet get the full benefits of the spa on a busy day? And more importantly, with the prices ranging from $40 to $100, will the effects of the services last long enough such that consumers will not burst their budgets?
Another issue is whether different types of animals will be kept together during their stay. With one boarding area alone will cats and dogs be put together? If so, will there be any precautions taken? What about small animals?
Other concerns include its location – Petopia is situated in the north of Singapore, along Yio Chu Kang Road, in an estate where many residents are pet lovers. However, a number of pet owners who live in the East lament the inaccessibility of the place. Whether their all-encompassing suite of services will win people over remains to be seen.