For those of us living in pet-loving Singapore, travelling for business or pleasure can come with one major stress – where to leave your four-legged friends while you’re overseas. Thankfully, the red dot has seen a rise in luxury pet hotels and high-end services offering safety and comfort for animals when the humans head off.
At the forefront of this trend is Singapore’s famous five-star dog hotel, The Wagington (thewagington.com.sg). Located in a 1920’s officer’s quarters in Dempsey, The Wagington offers a fabulous blend of impeccable pet facilities and tailored services, ensuring peace of mind for cat and dog owners, and a proper pawty for pets!
The inspiration behind it stems from the personal experience of expat owner Francis Higgins, who found himself struggling to locate suitable accommodation for his British Bulldog, Bobo, back in 2013. “I needed to travel to the USA for three weeks, but I had huge trouble finding a suitable place for Bobo to stay,” Francis shares. “Most options were small shophouses with little space or non-air-conditioned kennels, which I didn’t feel happy with.”
Inspired by the pet hotels he came across while travelling in Hollywood and Beverley Hills, Francis came up with the brainwave to open a hotel solely for pets in Singapore.
Putting on The Ritz
Rooted in a British theme, The Wagington offers various accommodation options for cats and dogs, from cosy rooms to lavish lodgings. Signature suites like the Royal Suite for Dogs and the Palace Suite for Cats provide high-end amenities, including large beds, TV’s, and cat trees. “We designed the rooms to reflect the luxury of UK hotels like The Savoy, The Dorchester, and The Ritz. Our guests – whether canine or feline – deserve the best,” Francis says.
Outdoor areas are covered in AstroTurf, and the grounds are sprayed with ozone water to eliminate bacteria. For dogs, there’s a bone-shaped swimming pool for daily doggy dips, complemented by two play areas – one for petite and cutesy canines and another for heftier hounds.
Beyond the luxurious living spaces, grooming services are available such as mud spas, teeth brushing, and nail clipping. Daily walks around the lush Dempsey area keep pets physically and mentally engaged, and regular swims are a particular favourite activity. “A lot of the dogs love the water and it’s the highlight of their day,” Francis continues. For those with special dietary needs, the dining menu features BARF raw meat and balanced meals to keep pets at peak health throughout their stay.
Protection and wellbeing are top priorities. All pups undergo a temperament evaluation before entering The Wagington to ensure safe interactions with other pets. “Dogs must be neutered and socialised well with other dogs,” explains Francis, adding that the hotel staff are specially trained in pet care, including first aid and CPR, ensuring every guest receives the upmost attention.
Infrared cameras offer constant surveillance, so owners can check in on their pets at any time – whether from a beach on Bintan or a boardroom in Bali. Francis continues, “We’ve even had pets stay with us for over six months at a time while waiting to be accepted from Singapore into Australia. Thankfully, our repeat customers know they can trust us to care for their pets just as they would.”
For Francis, the hotel is more than just a business – it’s a labour of love. “We’re creating an experience, not just a place to drop off animals,” he says, highlighting that the hotel’s mission is to give pets a memorable stay, whether they’re lounging about or receiving plenty of supervision from our staff. “We have staff with the animals all the time, so a lot of attention is given to teaching dogs discipline and appropriate behaviour in a pack environment. ”
Still worried that Fido might miss you while you’re gone? Give full permission beforehand and friends can check in on your beloved on your behalf.
Our guests – whether canine or feline – deserve the best
Home from home
While establishments like The Wagington offer a fantastic high-end service, some pet owners prefer to utilise a more personalised (and less spendy) style of care when they travel, such as a pet boarding service. Founded in 2024 by Maurice Png, Godpawrents (godpawrents.com) connects cat and dog owners with a trusted network of “godpawrents” who offer pet boarding in Singapore alongside daycare, dog walking, and house visits.
Maurice recognised the need for affordable pet care a few years ago as pet abandonment rates in Singapore rose due to rising costs. “The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) reported a 3x increase in animal abandonment in 2023 compared to 2022,” he says. “We offer an affordable, intimate service that allows pets to stay in familiar environments.”
Godpawrents cater to those seeking a more home-like, flexible option of accommmodation, with less of the hotel chic, but with all of the love, kindness and comfort.
Boarding at a Godpawrent’s home starts at $40 per night. With over 400 verified “godpawrents” to choose from, pet owners can schedule meet-and-greets and select the best caregiver for them. All of Godpawrents’ freelancers are thoroughly screened and possess relevant pet experience, whether as pet owners, individuals working with pets, or volunteers with pets. The freelancers on their books include veterinary nurses, groomers, volunteers at animal welfare groups, community cat caregivers, foster carers, zoo interns, and former dog unit national servicemen.
Indeed, independent dog trainer Glen Chew began his career in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), where he served as Trainer in Charge for the Singapore Search Platoon. Specialising in training working dogs for fire investigations, post-blast scenarios, and search-and-rescue missions, Glen realised after several years that there was an opportunity to assist pet owners with their dogs. He then established K9 Matters (k9matters.sg), which provides full-time training and daycare services for dogs. One of the standout features is the management and individual attention each dog receives. “Our daycare is not just about watching pets while their owners are away. It’s about creating a safe, enriching environment where dogs can interact, socialise, and be looked after based on their needs,” Glen explains.
While K9 Matters does not offer boarding, Glen does have sage advice for those leaving their pets for an extended period: “Selecting the best caregiver for your dog is essential, as is having a ‘meet and greet’ before making any decisions,” he says. “Meeting in person allows both the pet and the owner to get a feel for the place and the person. Ask for reviews and recommendations, and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to look elsewhere.”
Certainly, for your best furry friend, it’s crucial to choose wisely to ensure your time apart is paws-itive for everyone involved.
