Doggy daycare offers space for pets awaiting forever homes

Dogs are conceivably the most beloved animals across the nation. Despite this, every year, there are millions of homeless dogs euthanized in the United States.

In Las Vegas alone, 15,700 animals were killed in 2014 by The Animal Foundation, according to No Kill Las Vegas, a grass-roots, Las Vegas-based nonprofit.

Local rescue groups try to take in as many dogs as they can, but frequently, they have a hard time with space issues.

"There are just not enough fosters to take in all of these dogs," said Diana England, president and founder of A Home 4 Spot. "Hot Diggity Dog is one place I know I can always turn to when I save a dog but don't have anywhere for it to go. Victoria (owner of the daycare) is always bailing me out. It's a tremendous help for us because we're able to save more lives."

Since it opened three years ago, Hot Diggity Dog Daycare, 3290 N. Buffalo Drive, has offered a free foster dog program.

"It's really important to me that I try to help out as much as possible," said owner Victoria Carosone. "There are so many rescues around town but not enough fosters."

They primarily work with A Home 4 Spot, a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides foster care and medicine while seeking permanent homes for abandoned dogs.

"They've never limited me on how many dogs I could bring, but I'm always respectful," England said.

Adoption fees for A Home 4 Spot generally run from $200 to $400 depending on the dog's breed and medical condition.

"We act as a halfway house when there are not enough fosters available," said Ashley Scolari, manager at the daycare. "We treat the dogs that come in like a client's dogs, but they receive extra treatment because they don't have a home."

They also work with Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue of domesticated animals that have been abused or abandoned by their owners as a result of economic hardship, including home foreclosure, loss of employment, insufficient income or death and illness.

Adoption fees for FUPI dogs average $175, depending on the age of the dog. Senior citizens interested in adopting receive a $25 discount.

"Dogs are evaluated at the daycare, and employees can tell us about their personality," said Mary Hauer, FUPI executive director. "Dogs are also able to socialize with other dogs at the daycare and play."

Fliers of dogs available for adoption are hung on the wall of the facility with short biographies.

Families are able to meet with the dogs at the facility to see if they are a good match.

"This is neutral territory," Carosone said. "It makes the meet-and-greet easier because dogs won't act territorial or possessive."

Since the foster program started, she estimates that more than 150 dogs have walked through her door.

Employees also work with the rescues to groom the dogs for free and take them to adoption events on the weekends.

"They can stay here anywhere from two days to three months or even longer if that's what it takes," Carosone said. "We typically receive a new dog every other week."

People who adopt from local rescues at the business also receive a discount for daycare of $15 for the first dog and $10 for the second dog.

"It's just so rewarding being able to help get dogs out of the shelter," Carosone said. "This way, rescue groups can pull more dogs out of the shelters, and we can save more lives."

Visit hotdiggitydogdaycare.com or call 702-728-4863.

— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.