Pets In The City (PITC) is Auckland's dog daycare and pet hotel group, operating since 2006 across five locations: Wairau Park, Silverdale, Mt Wellington, Parnell (Central Bark) and Westgate. The business describes itself as providing everything a dog needs 'under one woof', combining daycare, hotel boarding, grooming, training and pet taxi services, and states it has more than 500 five-star reviews and over 100 trained staff.
Force-free care sits at the centre of PITC's approach — positive reinforcement only, with no harsh corrections, intimidation or fear-based methods. Dogs in daycare are grouped into supervised play groups by size and temperament, with structured rest periods built in to prevent overstimulation, and all staff are trained in force-free handling and animal behaviour, with first aid certification.
At the Parnell branch, known as Central Bark, PITC also runs a Puppy Preschool Masterclass led by trainer Madeleine de Vrije, who has worked professionally with puppies since 2020 and has guided around 3,500 puppies and their owners through early development. The group also supports Pet Refuge, a New Zealand animal welfare charity, and offers franchising opportunities.
Pets In The City (PITC) has been caring for Auckland's dogs since 2006, growing into a group of five locations — Wairau Park, Silverdale, Mt Wellington, Parnell (branded Central Bark) and Westgate. The business describes its mission simply: everything a dog needs, under one woof, spanning daycare, hotel boarding, grooming, training and even a pet taxi service.
At the heart of PITC's care philosophy is a commitment to force-free methods. The team says it relies entirely on positive reinforcement, rewarding good behaviour rather than correcting mistakes, with no harsh corrections, intimidation or fear-based techniques involved. In daycare, dogs are placed into supervised play groups based on size and temperament, with structured rest periods built into each day to prevent overstimulation. All staff are trained in force-free handling and animal behaviour, and are first aid certified.
Across its five locations, PITC offers dog daycare, dog hotel boarding, cat hotel boarding, dog grooming, dog training and a pet taxi service, along with wellness add-ons. The group highlights convenience as a differentiator, with opening hours of 6:30am to 7:00pm on weekdays across its branches, alongside a claim of transparency — daily photo updates during stays, and no hidden fees.
One of PITC's more recent additions is a Puppy Preschool Masterclass, run at the Parnell branch (Central Bark) and led by trainer Madeleine de Vrije. Madeleine has worked professionally with puppies and their families since 2020, after completing her studies in canine behaviour and training. She started as a puppy class assistant for one of Auckland's respected training providers before becoming a Head Puppy Trainer in 2021, and has since guided approximately 3,500 puppies and their owners through the early stages of development. Alongside her training work, she also founded a dog walking and puppy-raising business on Auckland's North Shore. Her Puppy Preschool classes are force-free and reward-based, covering confidence-building around new people, dogs and environments, calm behaviour at home and out in public, foundations for recall, focus and loose-lead walking, healthy boundaries, positive handling, and safe socialisation.
PITC also provides tools for prospective and existing dog owners, including a Dog Breed Matcher and a Pet Life OS portal, alongside an Owner Portal and Pet Passport system for managing bookings and pet details online. The group states it has over 500 five-star reviews and more than 100 trained staff across its Auckland locations, and is a proud supporter of Pet Refuge, a New Zealand-based animal welfare charity. PITC also offers franchising opportunities for those interested in opening a location under the brand.
People interested in PITC's services can apply online through the group's booking portal, get in touch with their nearest branch directly by phone or email, or schedule a free facility tour. Each of the five branches has its own direct phone line and email address, making it straightforward to reach the specific location closest to home.