Founded in Los Angeles, Dogdrop offers a flexible, membership-based model that never requires an appointment, so dog parents pay only for the time they use, from a single hour between meetings to a full day of play. Membership includes access to any location across the brand’s growing network while offering smaller-format, open-play locations led by highly trained staff rather than large groups of dogs in warehouse-style facilities. — Courtesy: Dogdrop
By Joshua Burd
An urban dog daycare brand has found its first New Jersey location after leasing space at a new mixed-use development in Jersey City by RXR and its partners.
The membership-based operator, Dogdrop, is slated to open this fall at the Hudson House Collection in the city’s growing SoHo West district at the intersection of Coles Street and 15th Street. The pioneering flexible daycare concept will join an expanding mix of retailers and services at the three-building, 829-unit community, providing residents and the surrounding neighborhood with a convenient new pet amenity.
“At Hudson House, we’re curating a complementary mix of retailers that enhances everyday life for our residents while contributing to the continued evolution of the SoHo West neighborhood,” said Whitney Arcaro, chief revenue officer at RXR, which owns Hudson House with partners Columbia Property Trust, Strategic Value Partners LLC and One Investment Management. “Hudson House welcomes residents relocating from across the tristate area and around the country, so bringing in a nationally recognized pet care brand like Dogdrop was a natural fit. Its exceptional operating standards and convenience-driven model offer a level of familiarity and trust that resonates with today’s urban residents while complementing the needs of our growing community.”
Founded in Los Angeles, Dogdrop offers a flexible, membership-based model that never requires an appointment, so dog parents pay only for the time they use, from a single hour between meetings to a full day of play, according to a news release. Membership includes access to any location across the brand’s growing network while offering smaller-format, open-play locations led by highly trained staff rather than large groups of dogs in warehouse-style facilities.
According to a news release, Hudson House aligns with Dogdrop’s urban model of centering on communities where most members arrive on foot.
“Dogdrop was built to make dog daycare fit the way people actually live in cities,” said Shaina Denny, founder and CEO of Dogdrop. “We look for communities where people live, work and play, and Hudson House is exactly the type of neighborhood our concept was designed to serve. Whether someone needs daycare for an hour while running errands, a few hours during meetings, or the full day, our goal is to make dog daycare a convenient part of everyday life.”
The Hudson House Jersey City location will be owned and operated by local franchisee Jonathan Allen, who was drawn to Dogdrop’s philosophy of providing a more engaging daycare experience through smaller play groups and structured daily programming.
“What attracted me to Dogdrop was its philosophy that daycare should be an active, enriching experience for dogs, not simply a place where they’re supervised until it’s time to go home,” Allen said. “We want dogs to go home happy, tired and excited to come back, while giving pet parents the flexibility and convenience they need. Although Dogdrop is a national brand, every location is locally owned and operated, and I’m excited to become part of the Hudson House community and build relationships with residents throughout Jersey City.”
Every dog joining Dogdrop completes a complimentary Good Fit Test before entering group play, the news release said. The Hudson House Jersey City location will feature three dedicated play areas organized by dogs’ energy levels and temperaments, allowing staff to group dogs based on compatible play styles while incorporating daily agility exercises, brain games and socialization activities.
What’s more, the entirely indoor, climate-controlled facility combines a modern, design-forward environment with rigorous standards for cleanliness, sanitation and safety, the operator said. Team members are trained in pet CPR, first aid and dog behavior, with staffing ratios designed to support individualized care.
Dogdrop currently operates locations across California, Texas, Colorado, Florida and Delaware.
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