A chauffeur from an expanding dog day care business is celebrating 10 years with the company this year.
Paul Halligan’s job involves chauffeuring dogs from their homes across South London and Surrey to and from Bruce’s day care site at Cobham, Surrey. He has driven over 100,000 miles during his decade in the role, including transporting the pets of MPs, pop stars and famous footballers.
The custom-designed Bruce’s vehicle features calming panpipe music, fitted beds, specialised temperature control and a personalised set of instructions and regular group of travel buddies for each dog.
Dog day care businesses across the UK have experienced a surge in business as pet owners look to organise care for their pets since returning to the office. Bruce’s saw a 94% increase in enquiries in January 2022 compared to December 2021, the company reports. Since the pandemic, Bruce’s has expanded from two sites to eight.
Paul said: “I love everything about the job! It’s a great way to start your morning, going to pick up the dogs and seeing their happy faces, tails wagging and excited to see you. The bond you have with a dog is really special, no matter how long it’s been, they never forget you and will always love you once you make that connection.
“I’ve been doing the same route for nine years now and been picking up some of those dogs since they were puppies. It’s a wonderful part of the job, making those bonds with the dogs and their families.”
