Events for pets and owners held at Central Bark grand opening

Central Bark Doggy Day Care has announced the grand opening of Central Bark Doggy Day Care on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 3880 Grove Ave., Gurnee, east on Grove Avenue and off Delaney. Central Bark Doggy Day Care provides a clean, healthy, fun and nurturing environment for dogs focusing on exercise, socialization and training.

Gurnee resident and new Central Bark Doggy Day Care owner Layne Pollard decided to open a franchise after 23 years in the watch manufacturing business.

“I found myself considering a career change,” she said. “After doing my due diligence, I recognized that franchising was definitely an avenue to pursue. I researched many different options and came to the conclusion that my business experience and my love for dogs translated into the exact type of franchisee that Central Bark is trying to attract.”

The opening festivities will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a ribbon cutting by the mayor at noon.

Highlights will include dog from rescue groups Secondhand Snoots and Green Pup Shelter on-site for adoption, 20-minute “doggy” portraits, free nail clipping and baths, and several raffle prize giveaways

“Central Bark Doggy Day Care welcomes Layne Pollard to our corporate family. In terms of company growth, we seek those franchisees like Layne who want to be part of a ‘smallish and familial’ corporate culture and bring in only those people who share these values and this work ethic,” said Chris Gaba, co-founder of Central Bark Doggy Day Care. “All of our Central Bark franchise owners have two common character traits: sharp business acumen and a true love for dogs.”

The Central Bark Doggy Day Care Gurnee is open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. To contact the store directly, call (847) 672-6188.

The Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise system was created in 2003 and includes 27 locations in six states. Celebrating their 10-year anniversary, co-founders Jackie Jordan and Chris Gaba created the franchise system based on a foundation of best practices to provide personalized pet care in an environment that is clean, safe and fun, and, as an alternative to kennel boarding. The company pioneered the doggy day care concept coining the phrase “the UnKennel.”

For information, visit www.centralbarkusa.com.