About Suffolk Dog Town
Welcome to our town – formerly known as Ipswich Dog Daycare Creche.
At Suffolk Dog Town, we’re passionate about providing the very best care for your dog. Whether your pup needs a fun-filled day of socialisation, a luxurious grooming session, or training to become a well-behaved companion, our team of experienced and loving staff has got you covered.
Established in 2017, we’ve grown to offer a variety of services, including our much-loved dog daycare creche, professional grooming salon, doggy photography, puppy training classes, and socialisation sessions. We even have a boutique, where you can find unique and stylish products for your pooch. Our commitment to your dog’s safety, happiness, and well-being is unwavering, and we strive to make every visit to Suffolk Dog Town a special one!
Family-Run Dog Daycare in Ipswich
Suffolk Dog Town is an independent, family-run business that started with a passion for dogs and a desire to provide a safe and loving environment for them to socialise, play, and be well cared for. Aunty Clare (our pack leader!) started the business after leaving a long-time career in account management and logistics. She saw an opportunity to turn her passion for dogs into a fulfilling career, and with the support of her husband, Uncle Danny, took the leap and joined a dog creche franchise.
In 2019, we made the decision to go independent, and have since seen amazing growth in the number of happy pups rushing into reception each morning! We’re proud to say we’re now recognised as the leading dog daycare centre in Ipswich, with over 70 5-star Google reviews and the best-possible licence from our local Babergh Council!
Meet The Suffolk Dog Town Team
At Suffolk Dog Town, we’re more than just a doggy daycare – we’re a family! And just like any family, each member has a vital role to play in ensuring your dog is happy, safe, and has an amazing time while they’re with us. Keep reading to meet the fantastic team of passionate, dog-loving individuals that make Suffolk Dog Town the ‘place where dogs love to be!’.
Aunty Clare - Pack Leader
Meet Aunty Clare, the heart and soul of Suffolk Dog Town. She’s the one that dogs across Suffolk rush to see in the morning, and for good reason – she’s the best cuddler and treat-giver around! As the owner of the business, she’s always eager to make new friends and welcome new pups to the pack.
Clare has a lifetime of experience with dogs, and for the past 15 years, has been the loving owner of three English Bull Terriers, Dolly, Dotty and Mr Moo. Dolly, a fawn and white bully, was with her from puppyhood and remained a beloved companion until she sadly passed away at the age of 14. Mr Moo and Dotty are her current Bully sidekicks, often seen roaming the Town and bringing a smile to everyone’s face!
Not only does she have a passion for dogs, but she’s also NVQ Level 2 and 3 trained in Animal and Equestrian Care and Management, BHSAI trained, an Advanced Canine First Aider, and a qualified puppy training instructor! With Clare’s first-class experience and training, you can trust that your pup is in the best hands at Suffolk Dog Town.
A Few Words from Aunty Clare
“Dogs give us so much. So much loyalty, love, affection, faithfulness, and comfort. So surely it’s only right we give them the very best back? Five years ago, I wanted to set up a daycare for dogs that would give your dog all the above and more. And five years later I think we’ve just about cracked it!
We began our journey as a franchise in 2017 and became independent a year later. Striding out on our own gave us more freedom to build something special for your dog – and the love, devotion, and determination that has gone into building and growing the business has been second to none.
We’ve now developed a business that not only cares for your dog during the day. You can have them groomed whilst they’re with us, book some puppy training, or even have a photoshoot on-site with our pet portrait photographer. Suffolk Dog Town has become a firm favourite of our loyal and supportive customers and we cannot thank them enough for that. Knowing that their dog is in extremely safe and professional hands is a must, and we provide that, all day, every day.”
Uncle Danny - Director
Uncle Danny, Aunty Clare’s right-hand man, is more than just a director at Suffolk Dog Town – he’s a true supporter of all things dog and a beloved member of our pack. With a background in the military, he’s got the ability to handle any situation that comes his way, and the dogs just adore him! Despite being an above-knee amputee, he’s never one to let that hold him back and has many strings to his bow. From being a competent sailor and PADI master diver to a volunteer for Sea Cadets and an advanced first responder, there’s nothing that can stop him!
With years of experience in owning and rehabilitating dogs, Uncle Danny is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to all things canine. He’s trained in both Canine and Human First Aid, has recently qualified as a Level 3 Canine Welfare and Behaviourist, and is currently working on his NVQ 3 course in Canine Welfare and Management.
A Few Words From Uncle Danny
“After several years of taking care of me following a road traffic accident in 2005, I told my wife it was about time she did something for her. Clare’s always loved dogs and running her own dog daycare seemed like a dream. It’s been tough and challenging (Beast from the East and Covid to name a few) but has made us both more determined to succeed and drive the business forward.
Finally getting recognised for a few awards like being shortlisted as a finalist for UK Pet Business of the Year 2022 by the Pet Industry Federation and a finalist for Start-Up Business of the year 2020 by the Federation of Small Businesses has been a huge highlight! We stick to our family values and treat every dog that comes to us as if they were our own and I think it’s this mentality that makes us a place where dogs really do love to be!”
Abbie - Manager
At Suffolk Dog Town, Abbie is our general manager and chief dog cuddler. She joined the team in 2019 as an apprentice, working towards her Level 2 NVQ Animal Management & Canine Carer qualification, and has since fully qualified and been promoted to manager.
She has a huge passion for all animals, (especially dogs!) and does a fantastic job of caring for all our daycare pups, making sure they’re happy, healthy, and safe at all times. Abbie is Canine First Aid and Canine Behaviour Level 3 Trained, so when you visit Suffolk Dog Town, you can have full peace of mind knowing your dog is in the best possible hands.
Lauren - Junior Creche Manager
Meet Lauren, our talented junior creche manager at Suffolk Dog Town. With a passion for animal welfare and a natural way with dogs, Lauren’s role is a perfect fit for her. After completing her Level 2 Animal Management & Welfare Apprenticeship with us, Lauren’s dedication and skills impressed us so much that we offered her a job on the spot! All the doggy’s adore Aunty Lauren, especially the cuddles she gives them.
One of her main roles in creche, apart from Health & Safety is keeping a daily record of what the dogs eat, what games they played today and did they go to the toilet! These are all fun facts that DEFRA ensure we keep a record of on a daily basis!
Shannon - Head Canine Carer
Shannon, our head canine carer, earned her qualifications through doing a Level 2 Animal Management & Welfare apprenticeship with us, and was quickly offered a permanent job upon completing the course. Shannon is great with the quiet, more reserved pups, giving them plenty of love and fuss whilst they’re at daycare. Her ability to make every dog feel comfortable and well-cared for has made her a favourite among our canine guests.
Hollie - Canine Carer
Our talented canine carer, Hollie, has quickly become a valued member of our team here at Suffolk Dog Town, after completing her Level 2 apprenticeship with us earlier this year. Her natural ease and genuine connection with the dogs make her a standout member of our pack!
Tiffany - Head Groomer
Tiffany is our Level 3 qualified head groomer here at Suffolk Dog Town! She has completed both her Level 2 & Level 3 City & Guilds in Dog Grooming and has been honing her scissor skills for a few years now!
With her calm and quiet approach, she’s great at easing pups into the spa experience and making sure they’re relaxed throughout their groom.
She’s passionate about making sure each and every dog that comes through our doors goes home looking and feeling their best, with a wag in their tail and a smile on their face. The pups rushing through reception to greet Tiffany is a sure sign that she’s a great groomer!
Tiffany is owned by ‘Asha’ a gorgeous rescue Staffy!
Claire - L2 Assistant Groomer
Claire has been with us for a few years now, firstly as a canine carer in day-care then she moved on to complete her Level 2 Assistant Groomers qualification whilst working in Dolly’s Spa.
Claire is an absolute natural with the pups and they all enjoy a bit of a pamper & cuddle with Claire when they come for a Spa Day!
Claire & her husband are the proud owners of Mr Flash a rather handsome Frenchie who keeps them both on their toes!
Mr Moo & Dotty
Meet Mr Moo and Dotty, two very special members of the Suffolk Dog Town pack! Mr Moo, a rescued English Bull Terrier, was re-trained by Aunty Clare and Uncle Danny, who welcomed him to the family with open arms and helped him to become the silly, loveable pooch he is today. Known as the ‘clown breed’, English Bull Terriers are always trying to make you smile with their playful personalities, and Mr Moo is no expectation! He loves dressing up for theme weeks here at Suffolk Dog Town, and can often be seen welcoming new pups with his goofy grin.
Dotty, a 3 year old girly, is Aunty Clare and Uncle Danny’s newest addition to the family. She’s still developing her skills and learning new tricks with help from the rest of the pack, and we can’t wait to see her grow and flourish! Both Mr Moo and Dotty have had a bit of a rough start in life, but have now found a loving home at Suffolk Dog Town.
What We Offer:
Dog Daycare Creche
Ensure your dog gets the exercise and socialisation they need with a fun-filled day (or half day!) at our doggy daycare. They’ll love playing with their new friends in our 4500 sqft bespoke playrooms, with agility equipment, toys, balls, paddling pools, sandpits and much much more. Your dog will have the time of their life at our daycare creche.
Dog & Puppy Training
We believe that every dog deserves proper support and guidance. In partnership with Wet Noses Dog Training, we offer comprehensive dog and puppy training for pups of all ages. Our positive reward-based approach reinforces good behavior and support’s your dog’s well-being.
Puppy Socialisation
Our weekly puppy socialisation sessions are the perfect way to get your puppy used to other dogs from an early age. Allowing them to mix with other doggies during our gentle playdates ensures they get a balanced and educated start in life.
Dog Grooming
A clean and well-groomed doggy is a happy doggy, so get your pup looking and smelling amazing with a trip to Dolly’s Spa. Our experienced groomers will keep your dog relaxed and content throughout the process, so they’ll be excited to return for their next treatment.
Dog Photoshoots
Capture your pooch's personality with a fun photography session. Our doggy photoshoots come with props and headpieces galore, making your images totally unique and personal. Something to treasure forever!
Dog Daycare Creche
Ensure your dog gets the exercise and socialisation they need with a fun-filled day (or half day!) at our doggy daycare. They’ll love playing with their new friends in our 4500 sqft bespoke playrooms, with agility equipment, toys, balls, paddling pools, sandpits and much much more. Your dog will have the time of their life at our daycare creche.
Dog & Puppy Training
We believe that every dog deserves proper support and guidance. In partnership with Whistle & Wag Dog Training, we offer comprehensive dog and puppy training for pups of all ages. Our positive reward-based approach reinforces good behavior and support’s your dog’s well-being. We run regular 6 week course on site at Suffolk Dog Town, and also in-house hourly sessions for your dog whilst they are with us for the day!
Puppy Socialisation
Our weekly puppy socialisation sessions are the perfect way to get your puppy used to other dogs from an early age. Allowing them to mix with other doggies during our gentle playdates ensures they get a balanced and educated start in life. All puppies are fully supervised t all times by fully trained and loving staff! Who doesn't love a puppy cuddle!
Dog Grooming
A clean and well-groomed doggy is a happy doggy, so get your pup looking and smelling amazing with a trip to Dolly’s Spa. Our experienced groomers will keep your dog relaxed and content throughout the process, so they’ll be excited to return for their next Spa Session!
Dog Photoshoots
Capture your pooch's personality with a fun photography session. Our doggy photoshoots with JM Photography are the best way to capture those amazing memories to keep forever . Jemma with make your images totally unique and personal. Something to treasure forever!
Why Choose Suffolk Dog Town
Fully Licensed & Insured
Suffolk Dog Town adheres to strict DEFRA legislation and regulations at all times. Your dog's safety is always of paramount importance to us. We have a 5 Star Licence from our local Babergh Council (the best you can get - something we are very proud of!); Licence Number LN/000000903.
5-Star Rated
Our 5-star reviews show how much our daycare family loves Suffolk Dog Town. Check out our Google reviews to see why dogs all over Suffolk are wagging their tails with glee at the thought of visiting us!
Professionally Trained Staff
All Suffolk Dog Town staff are trained to a minimum of Levels 2 & 3 in Animal Care & Welfare Management and are fully certified in Canine First Aid. Our management team’s qualifications include Human First Aid and Level 3 Canine Behaviour and Welfare.
Endless Fun & Activities
With 4500 sqft of bespoke playrooms for your dog to enjoy, there is never a dull moment at Suffolk Dog Town! There’s friends to be made, games to be played and no end to the fun your dog will have with us.
A Passion for Dogs
Every member of our team has a genuine love for dogs, regardless of size or breed. We promise to welcome you and your pup to our daycare family with open arms, and treat your dog the same way we would our own.
Special Events
We regularly host exciting events and puppy parties to keep your pooch entertained - fun for all the family! Our daycare centre is also available for hire, so you can book a private party for your dog and all their friends.
Suffolk Dog Town Reviews
WOOF
Mrs Harden:
"Bali can’t wait to go each week, she gets sooo excited when we say it’s crèche day, she loves the staff and the staff love the dogs I get told what she’s done, lots of photos excellent service. Can’t rate them highly enough 🐶😍 …"
Rachel Wood:
"My spaniel Chip LOVES it at day care. The staff are so nice especially Abbie who goes above and beyond, Lauren and Claire also! He has the best time and so glad we dont have to worry about him when we have to go to work. The groomer Merin is amazing too, Chip always looks and smells amazing 🥰 Thank you ALL for looking after our pup so well."
Kerry Hammond:
"My dog he absolutely love it here, excellent and friendly staff, the staff all love the dogs so much and the smiles on their faces when they see their human friends is lovely to see. Milo is super tired when he gets home from all the playing he loves socialising with the other dogs. Def recommend."
Lynda Thompson:
"Thank you Claire, Abbie and the rest of the team, just don't know what we would do with out you as Milo just love being at the crèche, you have taught him how to socialise with other dogs all shapes and sizes, he is such a lovely little dog now and it's because of the help & advice you have given me as well. 🐕🐾🐾"
Book Online
Existing Customers
If you’re already a Suffolk Dog Town customer, please sign in below to make a booking.
New Customers
If you’ve not visited us before, please use the form below and we’ll get in touch. We can’t wait to welcome you to Suffolk Dog Town!
Please note, dogs looking to join our daycare creche will be required to take a temperament test to ensure their suitability. We temperament test all dogs over the age of six months.
All new grooming clients must complete our T&Cs form prior to your pooch’s pamper.
Suffolk Dog Town FAQs
At Suffolk Dog Town, the health and safety of all of our guests is our top priority. That’s why we have a few requirements in place to ensure that all dogs who attend are kept safe and healthy. These include being fully vaccinated and up to date on DHPP, Lepto, and Kennel Cough vaccinations. We do accept dogs who have undergone Titre Testing, as long as we have a copy of the vet’s certificate.
Female dogs in season are not allowed to attend while they’re in heat, but once they’ve finished they’re more than welcome to come back when they’ve had a nice bubble bath and are fully dry. For safety reasons, males over the age of 8 months must be castrated to attend Suffolk Dog Town. We also allow the hormone implant, but we must receive written confirmation from your vet.
Puppies are welcome to join the dog creche family at Suffolk Dog Town as soon as they’re 12 weeks old and fully vaccinated (they must have both sets of vaccinations, including Kennel Cough). We recommend bringing your puppy to visit us for half a day at first, so they can get used to the dog creche environment and build up to a full day of play when they’re ready. Our popular puppy socialisation sessions and puppy training classes are also a great way for your puppy to develop their social skills and become a confident, well-rounded pup!
We welcome dogs of all ages at Suffolk Dog Town! Whether you’ve got a playful pup or a senior pooch, they’ll find plenty of fun and enrichment here. We understand that older dogs may have different needs and energy levels, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the same benefits as the young ones! In fact, many senior dogs thrive in social environments like our daycare creche, where they can receive extra attention and cuddles.
By bringing your older dog to Suffolk Dog Town, you’ll be providing them with an important source of socialisation and stimulation. This keeps their mind and body active, which can help prevent or slow down age-related declines in health and behaviour. Our team of experienced canine carers will make sure your dog is comfortable and happy throughout the day, whether they want to take part in our fun games and activities or just come for a snooze and a cuddle.
No, we never take dogs off site during their time at Suffolk Dog Town. Instead, we provide them with over 4500 sq ft of bespoke play-zones and activities designed to keep them happy, entertained, and stimulated while they’re with us. We understand the importance of exercise and fresh air for your dog, so we have a secure yard filled with fun agility equipment, fully enclosed with high security fencing. CCTV is in place to cover the entire perimeter of our centre, and all doors are kept fully locked at all times for their safety and well-being.
When you bring your dog to Suffolk Dog Town, you can have full peace of mind knowing they’re in the best possible hands. Our staff are qualified to a minimum of Levels 2 & 3 in Animal Care & Welfare Management and are fully certified in Canine First Aid. We also have a 5-star licence from our local Babergh Council (Licence Number LN/000000903). Call 01473 743737 to find out more, or book your registration appointment online!
At Suffolk Dog Town, we offer a variety of services to keep your dog happy and healthy – there’s something for everyone! Our most popular service is our much-loved daycare creche, where your pup can enjoy a fun-filled day making new friends in our 4500 sqft bespoke playrooms. You can go about your day with full peace of mind, knowing they’re having a great time at Suffolk Dog Town and being cared for by highly qualified professionals.
In addition to daycare, we also run puppy training and socialisation classes in association with Wet Noses Dog Training, and offer professional dog grooming and doggy photography. We even have a boutique, so you can pamper your pooch with a little treat after their day of fun! Visit our services page to find out more about the wide range of services we offer at Suffolk Dog Town, or give us a call on 01473 743737 to speak to one of our friendly team members!
Here at Suffolk Dog Town, we strive to provide the best care and services for all dogs, regardless of their breed. However, for the safety and well-being of all our guests, we have a list of breeds that we unfortunately can’t accept – mainly those that are listed on the Dangerous Dog Act 1991. This list may vary depending on the current advice from insurers and DEFRA Legislation. We do take bull breeds, such as English Bull Terriers, as long as they pass a temperament test and are suitable for the daycare environment. To ensure that these breeds receive the proper socialisation and enrichment, we require bull breeds to visit us at least twice a week.
If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to keep your dog happy and healthy, a visit to Suffolk Dog Town is the perfect option! We offer a range of top-rated services and the best possible care for your pooch, and we’d love for you to come and see for yourself! Book online today or call 01473 743737 for more information.
