Post by Brooke on Jan 21, 2004 18:02:13 GMT -5
Blow-dried pets with your petrol
Pet owning motorists who get their cars cleaned at a filling station in Tyne and Wear, can take advantage of an optional extra - a dog wash.
Not only can drivers who visit the Burnmoor filling station in Houghton-le-Spring, spruce up their wheels, but they can get their canines efficiently cleansed too.
By paying up to £5, customers can use an ingenious machine which will shampoo, condition and blow-dry their beloved pooch.
The machines have taken off in Europe and now it is hope they will do the same in the UK.
The dogwash in Houghton-le-Spring has been in operation for almost two months and has so far attracted almost 100 pet owners.
Garage boss Chris Robson, said: "I am surprised at how quickly its taken off.
"All the dogs we have washed so far seem to love it."
Mr Robson said a friend noticed a similar machine in Spain.
He said the recent hot weather had boosted business.
Dog owners places their pet on the table, once there the owner is able to gently wash the dog with warm water using a special shampoo, and anti-parasite conditioner.
It is then rinsed off. A blower is used to remove the excess water, and the dog is then dried with warm air.
Steve Jackson of Sussex-based Dogwash, said: "The owner is always in contact with the animal.
"Once the dog is removed from the table, the machine automatically disinfects ready for the next pet.
"Most dogs will be washed for around a fiver and the unit is operated by way of a slot machine.
"As a dog owner myself Dogwash is going to save me lots of time and effort when my labrador needs a wash.
"It's true that a dog is man's best friend, but also a carpet's worst enemy, until now that is".
Mr Robson added: "We have lots of drivers popping in for petrol who see the dogwash and come back again with their animal in tow."
Mr Jackson added: "Dogwash is a UK designed and manufactured product.
"There are already over 150 units installed in Europe and the English market is potentially huge with an estimated market size of in excess of 1,000 units."
Pet owning motorists who get their cars cleaned at a filling station in Tyne and Wear, can take advantage of an optional extra - a dog wash.
Not only can drivers who visit the Burnmoor filling station in Houghton-le-Spring, spruce up their wheels, but they can get their canines efficiently cleansed too.
By paying up to £5, customers can use an ingenious machine which will shampoo, condition and blow-dry their beloved pooch.
The machines have taken off in Europe and now it is hope they will do the same in the UK.
The dogwash in Houghton-le-Spring has been in operation for almost two months and has so far attracted almost 100 pet owners.
Garage boss Chris Robson, said: "I am surprised at how quickly its taken off.
"All the dogs we have washed so far seem to love it."
Mr Robson said a friend noticed a similar machine in Spain.
He said the recent hot weather had boosted business.
Dog owners places their pet on the table, once there the owner is able to gently wash the dog with warm water using a special shampoo, and anti-parasite conditioner.
It is then rinsed off. A blower is used to remove the excess water, and the dog is then dried with warm air.
Steve Jackson of Sussex-based Dogwash, said: "The owner is always in contact with the animal.
"Once the dog is removed from the table, the machine automatically disinfects ready for the next pet.
"Most dogs will be washed for around a fiver and the unit is operated by way of a slot machine.
"As a dog owner myself Dogwash is going to save me lots of time and effort when my labrador needs a wash.
"It's true that a dog is man's best friend, but also a carpet's worst enemy, until now that is".
Mr Robson added: "We have lots of drivers popping in for petrol who see the dogwash and come back again with their animal in tow."
Mr Jackson added: "Dogwash is a UK designed and manufactured product.
"There are already over 150 units installed in Europe and the English market is potentially huge with an estimated market size of in excess of 1,000 units."