This week, Westfield London opens the doors to a one of a kind Christmas canine experience – The Merry Mutts Motel – a festive themed doggy drop off service, helping dog owners with busy social calendars to ensure their dogs get to socialise too, as new research reveals that over three quarters (76%) of dog owners are looking for unique festivities for their pets to enjoy.
The study of 1,000 Brits revealed that over a third (36%) of owners spend more time away from their dogs over the festive season by almost three hours on average, with late night Christmas shopping (55%), busy social schedules (38%) and office parties (20%) leading to longer time away from home. It’s no surprise that over two-thirds (67%) state that they feel a sense of guilt for doing so given the increasing role that dogs play in our lives.
Meeting the growing consumer trend need, Westfield London has opened the Merry Mutts Motel to bring joy to dogs and their owners, teaming up with doggy day care experts Urban Mutts, who take a unique approach to caring and enhancing the lives of dogs through social experience.
Upon entry to this doggy haven, four-legged guests will receive the ultimate festive experience including a cosy interior for them to socialise with their canine companions and enjoy a range of Christmas treats as well as their very own gifts from Santa Paws. The outside lawn will be dedicated to learning fun new tricks and games with Urban Mutts expert trainers and all dogs will have the chance to take a festive walk with the Merry Mutts Minders. Finally, in line with a growing trend for personalised family Christmas cards, they’ll have the chance to dress up for their very own Christmas card shoot with their owners.
Research went on to reveal that shopping centres were the main place Brits wanted to see more doggy day care services to look after their pets (49%), followed by workplaces (37%) and hotels (35%).
Located in Westfield Square at Westfield London, adjacent to the centre’s first ever Christmas market – the Winter Village – the service will raise funds for Wild at Heart Foundation with 100% of donations from the Merry Mutts Motel contributing towards the charity’s work in international dog rescue and adoption projects, neutering programmes and research into new sterilization techniques.
Myf Ryan, CMO Europe and Group Director of Brand and Strategic Marketing for Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield comments; “The Merry Mutts Motel at the Winter Village Market, Westfield London was created to provide a unique service for our customers and help alleviate the pressures of finding dog care throughout the Christmas period. We are really thrilled to be launching this activation with Urban Mutts, to ensure not only our visitors’ can relax and enjoy their visit whilst their dogs are cared for, but to raise funds for Wild at Heart Foundation, supporting the great work they do.”
Barry Karacostas Co-founder of Urban Mutts said; “We are excited to be working with Westfield London to launch the Merry Mutts Motel. Westfield London has created something that we know will enhance the social experience and happiness of dogs within the capital at Christmas time and we can’t wait to meet all of our guests and give them a stay to remember”
Nikki Tibbles, Founder of Wild at Heart Foundation states; “We are delighted that Westfield London has chosen us as the charity partner for Merry Mutts Motel. At Wild at Heart Foundation, we dedicate our time to ensuring the happiness and safety of these amazing creatures. Not every dog is lucky enough to have a home this Christmas so all the money that people donate for having their dogs visit the Merry Mutts Motel, will go straight to helping stray dogs all over the world.”
The exclusive doggy winter cabin, which will be open from 4th-8th December at the Winter Village market in Westfield Square welcoming dogs on weekdays from 5-9pm with two-hour slots (5-7pm and 7-9pm) and 12-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The first Motel for Mutts of its kind, Westfield London continues to create the newest and most unique services for shoppers and is always looking for ways to enhance the shopping experience. The statistics from this research illustrate the desire for shoppers to have somewhere to take their pet when they go shopping and the service could be something that develops in the new year at the centre.
Dog owners can sign their dog up via Eventbrite here. Owners should access the Merry Mutts Motel from the outside of the centre, approaching from the Wood Lane side of Westfield Square. For those arriving by car please park in car park B or C: for parking B, please come through lobby 9 up the travellator and through to the square from level -2; for parking C located on levels 3 and 4, please take the lift in lobby 9 down to the level -2 through the square. Alternatively, owners can park in the John Lewis & Partners car park and come through the store to Westfield Square.
Urban Mutts will provide expert care for dogs throughout their time at the Merry Mutts Motel. All appropriate measures and legislation requirements have taken place to ensure the safety of animals is the first priority for Westfield London and the launch of the Merry Mutts Motel.
