Canine To Five In Detroit Is Expanding

DETROIT, MI — Detroit's popular doggy daycare is getting an expansion.

The company dates back to 2005, when Canine To Five Owner Liz Blondy launched a new dog daycare business at the corner of Cass and Mack Avenues in 6,000 square feet of space in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. Detroit was in a decline but everyone loved their best friends, their dogs, she said. She took care of seven dogs that first day.

Fast forward 14 years and the area is now booming with new residents and their pets. The location of her business is no longer known as Cass Corridor, preferring the branding of Midtown instead. Her daycare averages 120 dogs a day and services have expanded to include grooming, training and boarding.

She also has a second 22,000 square foot location in Ferndale. Canine To Five employs 80 team members.

On March 25, Blondy will cut the ribbon on a 10,000 square foot, $1.3 million expansion. Canine To Five will use 7,000 square feet, with 3,000 square feet leased to additional tenants. Capacity will grow to 175 dogs a day and there will be special rooms for senior dogs, private play and small dogs. Her growing grooming business will have its own entrance.

“I am so grateful to my clients who trust us to take care of their beloved pets every day,” said Blondy. “As a small business owner, it is really important to me to listen to my customers. We have grown with their needs over the past 14 years.”

“It’s important to build a community of dog lovers in Detroit,” she added. “That’s why we launched Drinking with Dogs and our weekly Pack Walks. We don’t make any money off these activities but our clients love getting to know one another.” The new season of Drinking with Dogs kicks off May 28 at The Skip and the Pack Walks leave from Cullen Park each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Public tours of the expanded Canine To Five space are available on Tuesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 28 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Detroit-based D MET was the project’s architectural firm and The Monahan Co. in Eastpointe managed the construction.