DOG owners in Jamaica now have access to a dedicated outdoor space for their pets with the opening of what is being positioned as the island’s first dog park, in Portmore.

The facility, developed by Franzpets Retreat, forms part of an expansion of the business which has transitioned from a grooming-only operation into a multi-service pet care provider offering grooming, boarding, daycare, a pet parent café, and a retail store.

“[The] more and more we grew, many customers asked us if we could possibly start offering the boarding services,” Director Keisha Myers told the Jamaica Observer.

Driven by demand for boarding and limited space at its original location in Portmore Central Plaza, the company moved to Lot 20E, West Trade Way, Portmore Mall in St Catherine, approximately three minutes away, allowing for the addition of the outdoor park. The company, formerly Franz Pet & Co. Limited, has been in operation for five years and recently rebranded as it expanded its services. According to Myers, the lack of dedicated, pet-friendly spaces in Jamaica was a key factor behind the investment.

“You can’t openly just take your dog for a walk to have an area to be comfortable or feel as if the environment belongs to them without being treated any way or having someone try to harm them,” she said.

While Jamaica has some pet-friendly accommodations and occasional dog-related events, including shows and limited social gatherings, she noted that opportunities for regular outings remain scarce.

“Jamaica has come a long way where dogs and animals are concerned, but many people love their animals so they are not going to put them in an environment they are uncertain of,” she added.

The park, which opened in March 2026, is designed to provide a controlled and monitored environment for pets and their owners. It is divided into sections for small and large breeds, with a larger allocation for smaller dogs based on demand and behaviour patterns. It can accommodate between 15 to 20 dogs at a time. Operations run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Mondays to Fridays, and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays, with staff on site to monitor interactions and reduce the risk of incidents. Pricing is set at $500 for one hour of park access while daycare services cost up to $1,600 per day. The park operates on a walk-in basis. The company is also planning to introduce more pet-focused events to drive engagement, including activities that combine social experiences for owners with supervised play for dogs.

“I actually want to keep more dog-friendly events where we will have vendors coming out, and a pup and paint while dogs play in the park,” Myers said.

Director of Franzpets Retreat, Keisha Myers with her pet Franz. (Photo: Kemar McZenna)

The entrance of Franzpets Retreat in Portmore, St Catherine (Photo: Kemar McZenna)

An overhead view of the dog park now located at Lot 20 E. West Trade Way, Portmore Mall.(Photo: Kemar McZenna)

The Franzpets Retreat retail store carries dog clothes, pet supplies and accessories.(Photo: Kemar McZenna)

Pet supplies are offered by Franzpets Retreat.(Photo: Kemar McZenna)

Franz Pets and Company Limited has rebranded to Franzpets Retreat, offering more services which span grooming, boarding, day care and a retail store.(Photo: Kemar McZenna)

Franzpets Retreat’s pet parent cafe(Photo: Kemar McZenna)