Business Spotlight: Jordan Bay Dog Daycare by Michelle Libby

Many people consider their pets as family. Leaving a pet home alone while the owner is at work, makes them lonely and sad. The best alternative to a day of napping at home is to take him or her to Jordan Bay Dog Daycare in Raymond, just past the turn-off for Route 85, on the way to Bridgton.  

Owner Chris Jordan is a certified dog trainer, who has worked with all breeds and temperaments. “I worked at a dog daycare and thought we’d start doing it on our own,” said Chris. Jordan Bay Dog Daycare opened a year ago and they have been filling a need in the area ever since. 

“The need is here. A lot of places can be full,” said Chris’s mother Nancy Jordan, who works in the day care most days. 

The space is broken up into two indoor rooms and a 4,000-square foot outside play area that is made of astro turf so dogs don’t become dirty and don’t dig. 

The play area has ramps, tables, tires, obstacles, and plenty of toys to keep them stimulated both mentally and physically. Each night the center is cleaned from top to bottom. 

“We are always with them,” said Nancy. The staff can give medication if needed and food can be brought in for lunch, but it is not provided. Nancy, Chris and Kayleigh Jordan, who also works at the daycare, are all pet CPR certified.  

Jordan Bay will also take in dogs that have been kicked out of other dog daycare centers often giving them more chances and individual training by Chris. “Every dog you learn something new from,” said Chris. “It’s different every day.”

“We don’t put the dogs in crates unless the owners ask us to,” said Kayleigh. “We put a lot of effort into this place. We care about the dogs.”  

While at daycare, the dogs work on socialization as well as basic commands like sit, stay and wait. “We focus on socialization. It’s a safe environment,” said Chris. There is no minimum age for the dogs, but they must have had all the required vaccines and must be spayed or neutered. 

Clients bring their dogs from Sebago, Portland and surrounding areas, but mostly from Windham and Raymond. They also have a lot of vacationers drop off their dogs for the day. 

The daycare accepts dogs on a drop-in basis if the dogs are brought between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The mornings are busy and bringing in dogs after 10 a.m. can disrupt the balance the dogs have achieved between each other. The dogs that have already arrived are beginning to settle in and the new dog is excited to be there, causing a possible disturbance. 

On average, the daycare has 18 dogs each day but can house up to 25 dogs per day safely. During the summer months the daycare fills up faster in which case calling ahead to schedule the days you want is never a bad idea. They do not do overnight care.

There is a full day price and a half day price. The prices are less than Portland daycares, said Nancy. They also offer a 10 percent Veteran and senior citizen discount.

Owner Chris, his girlfriend Kayley and one of the many dogs they love

“The dogs go home really tired. Some don’t want to go. We’ve had owners drag some dogs out,” said Kayleigh. The daycare is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are not open on weekends. Someone is with the dogs all day and most of the time there are two people with the dogs. 

Jordan Bay Dog Daycare hopes to offer grooming services soon for their regular clients and possibly others, including baths and nail clipping. Chris also has plans to offer training classes for puppies in January. The daycare expects to be hiring part-time help in the near future. They also are adding cameras, so owners can watch their dogs enjoying themselves at daycare. 

“We do post a lot of photos and videos on Facebook,” said Chris. 

For more information on Jordan Bay Dog Daycare, visit them on Facebook or call 207-655-6520.