Just like "people" camp, the dogs are supervised by counselors who are certified by the American Red Cross in (dog) CPR and emergency care, and are placed in groups according to size and temperament. The overnighters get tasty campfire treats before lights out. They are tucked into their private cabin (dogs from the same household can sleep together if they want) equipped with a platform bed and fleece blanket. They are serenaded with piped-in classical music.
Unlike people camp, dog campers first must pass an "entrance interview." Pooches are observed by a staff member for 20 minutes with other dogs the same size. If he can behave himself, he's in. The price: $40 for a full day and night. For day care only, $28.
Welcome to another service in the growing upscale-pet-care industry. Part of a Colorado-based company that started franchising in 2003, Camp Bow Wow now has 107 locations throughout the country. The Cherry Hill spot, which opened last month, is the first location serving the Philadelphia area, and already has 46 clients. (Its combined capacity, for day care and boarding, is 150 dogs.) There also are four locations in Pennsylvania, one in Allentown and three in Pittsburgh.
The franchise's growth isn't surprising to Marla W. Deibler, director of the Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia. "Pets become part of the family unit, so finding a place that's fun and safe is a great comfort," she said. "It is akin to finding a child-care center that you feel good about for your child."
For Schnoll, 58, a contractor from Margate whose business is in Cherry Hill, Camp Bow Wow was a perfect place for Newman, a mocha-colored German shorthaired pointer named for the Seinfeld character. The dog otherwise would spend too much time alone or be bored hanging out at Schnoll's office.
Although Schnoll said he wasn't worried about Newman's first weekend at Bow Wow, he admitted he called the camp to check in and watched his dog on the camp's Web cam setup.
