Every weekday around 8am a convoy of cars converge on a converted warehouse on an island industrial estate.

The drivers wave goodbye to their little loved ones who are excitedly left in the capable hands of Charlotte Quirk and her team for the day.

But this is no ordinary daycare centre. The difference is that it is a daycare centre for dogs. And it’s proving to be a barking success. And Manxwoman Charlotte, who celebrated her 21st birthday at the weekend has never been busier. Word of her business has spread like wildfire around the island.

As Business News found out on a trip to Snugborough Trading Estate, Charlotte’s Doggy Daycare and Spa is a great place for dogs of all breeds and sizes to spend the day or a half day while their owners are at work.

’You could call us a nursery for dogs. The response has been amazing from dog lovers.’ said Charlotte.

’We provide a fun filled day for dogs of all ages and sizes, lots of fun and things to learn and a nice tired dog to bring home!’

Douglas girl Charlotte said she started the business after noticing that although there were kennels and homestay establishments there appeared to be nowhere for dog owners to leave their dogs for a few hours in the day.

She opened her first daycare centre in the St Marks area.

She said: ’When I first thought about it I reckoned people might consider it a stupid thing to have dogs in daycare, like kids in nursery.

’But in fact it has taken off really quickly.

’Within three or four months I was booked up in the old place.

’So that’s why I decided to find somewhere new and bigger because the business was really taking off.’

She has had the place on Snugborough, in a rented warehouse since last October and it is double the size of her previous venture.

’We are fully booked. Most of our dogs come for two to three days a week.

’We have around 10 dogs that come every day and most other dogs do two to three days a week - that’s the average.

’We open at 8 am and people come and drop their dogs off here before they go to work.

’The dogs are so excited and can’t wait to get in.

’The owners are sometimes almost dragged off their feet as they arrive!.’

’We close at 6pm when the dogs return home with their owners contented and tired after an activity filled day.’

The emphasis is very much on fun for the canine visitors.

Charlotte said: ’The day is spent having fun and playing with friends and learning tricks.

’We do teach them lots of things and they are all so well behaved. Every dog that comes through our door is very special.’

The day is geared around the dogs including designated times for play, meals, naps before excitedly waiting for owners to come and pick them up,

It is completely cage free and Charlotte said with a smile: ’Every dog is spoiled.’

Charlotte is not fazed by being one of the island’s youngest business people.

She attended St Ninian’s High School and went on to complete a business course at the Isle of Man College.

She has also attended a business programme with the Department of Economic Development who provided valuable advice and help as she embarked on her business venture. When she was at school Charlotte dreamed of one day being a vet. But she gained some experience working at Hounds Hydro in Port St Mary before branching out on her own.

She firmly believes she has found herself a niche in an untapped market. Her family have been nothing but helpful including mum Amanda and sister Shania who also help out at the sprawling, secure day centre.

On the day Business News visited there were 33 dogs being looked after and they appered to be having a whale of a time. They range from tiny Chihuahas and Dachshunds to a giant Newfoundland, who despite being 10 stone, is like a lovable baby.

Charlotte says her business was the first of its kind to offer purely daycare in the island, but since then another business has opened up in Onchan.

Charlotte said a lot of her business has obviously come her way through word of mouth recommendations.

In addition she has tapped into social media and her facebook pages are packed withglowing words of praise.

One dog owner said on Facebook: ’Milly and Ted love going there. They can’t wait to get out of the car. When they get home they are so tired. Bliss for us all.’

Another said: ’Honey had a great time at Doggy day care. She is normally a very shy nervous dog & doesn’t find it easy to socialise. She was shattered when she came home.’

Another grateful owner wrote: ’Tiggs loves his time with Charlotte and enjoys his time there. Always comes home very tired after lots of play & fun ! His home from home !’

Charlotte, who has dogs of her own, which come to work with her to meet their little pals, says she is loving seeing dogs she has known since they were pups, grow up before her eyes. As for the future she and her team see room for expansion as business continues to grow. Meanwhile come the evening and ’mums and dads’ return from work to collect their tired but happy charges who are treated very much as members of the family.