SPA THERAPIES AND HOTELS
Cleopatra bathes in milk, and Jennifer Lopez bathes in Evian water. At places such as Petopia, your furry friends can also enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating session fit for kings and queens.
Three-year-old holistic wellness centre Petopia goes one step further. Spa therapies offered at the two-storey centre include a popular micro-bubble bath which promises to rid pets of odours. The micro-bath tub, as well as Far Infrared machines used in clay therapy, were imported from Japan. The award-winning stylist Hiromi Masuzawa at Petopia also hails from Japan. Grooming and spa packages cost around $200 a month.
Want to check your pet in for 24-hour pampering? On the second floor of Petopia is a comfortable hotel which can hold up to 60 guests, with air-conditioning, aromatherapy and canine caretakers. Rates are dependent on the size of the animal.Ms Lily Sin, 47, has been a customer of the wellness centre since it opened its doors three years ago. She has two shih tzus, aged 10 and eight, and a golden retriever, aged nine.
The owner of a KTV lounge, who is married but does not have kids, says: “I don’t mind spending on my dogs. They are practically my children.” She added that when her previous dog died, she had spent $14,000 on its blood tests and check-ups, as well as the 25 days it stayed in a pet hospital.
Mr Richard Wee, 37, is the marketing director as well as co-founder of Petopia. He and his business partner Marcus Khoo spent two years conducting feasibility studies before setting up Petopia.
Mr Wee, a pet owner himself, says the demographics are changing and more people are having pets instead of children.
“Owners regard their animal companions as family members and are willing to spend money on them.” He reveals that the occupancy of the hotel has doubled since 2010.
Where: Petopia, 26 Jalan Kelulut, Seletar Hills Estate
Open: 11am to 7pm daily
Tel: 6886-9056
By Soh Gill
The Straits Times
Tuesday, Apr 23, 2013
