In a time when young adults are focusing more on careers and less on parenthood, it’s no wonder they’re also more involved in spoiling pet companions. From dog parks to cat cafes, the world is turning its head away from the traditional norm of marriage and family and turning toward an age of freedom and pet companionship. So, it’s about time the First Coast got its first indoor and outdoor private dog park, complete with a craft beer and coffee bar and the ability to accommodate dog birthdays and events of all kinds. Welcome to Kanine Social.
Kanine Social offers both indoor and outdoor play for pups, along with daycare, veterinary checks, training classes and even party space to host an array of events. Want to celebrate a pup’s birthday? Kanine Social’s got it covered with ample space for guests to throw an elaborate birthday for their pet and pet’s pals.
“Events are all over the board,” said Kanine Social co-owner, Daniel Moffatt. “Anything dog-related, of course. We’ve worked with K9s for Warriors, but we’ve done some stuff that’s non dog related. We have corn-hole tournaments once a month, bingo every other week, brunch events every other Sunday and we’ve worked with the Humane Society. We did a Lily Pulitzer event last month and we’re hosting Kendra Scott this month. They’ll come in, set up and donate a portion of their sales for the Humane Society.”
Kanine Social even hosted a drag queen bingo with JASMYN, Jacksonville’s LGBTQ organization, and raised $400 toward the cause.
Josh Pritchard, a Kanine Social regular, said that this place not only helps his fluffy friend, Captain Berger Piccard, with physical activity, but mental activity as well, to help learn how to socialize with all kinds of other dogs.
“For example, there was a Great Dane once, and she (Captain Berger) got a little aggressive, but not negatively,” Pritchard he said. “She just didn’t know how to play with him/her, but after three or four times, including daycare, they’re perfect.”
To prove Captain Berger’s enthusiasm, Pritchard had her jump up on one of the stands of the playground. Captain Berger was going to be featured in the paper, so she clearly wanted to show off her skills. She then posed with her dog dad for a photo after a couple minutes of calming her down, from all the excitement.
Moffatt opened Kanine Social in 2018 alongside friend and co-owner, Dustin Fries, both of whom wanted the ability to go out and watch sports with friends without leaving their furry family members behind.
“Every city needs an indoor dog park and we’re in Florida,” Fries said. “It’s hot most of the year, so the fact that we have A/C, an indoor dog park, craft beer and that the dogs can really play off the leash — I think that’s where the idea ultimately stemmed from.”
“We live in Springfield and we can take our dogs outside to walk around, but it gets rained out,” Pritchard said. “We just got her (Captain Berger) a bath yesterday and I don’t want to take her out and get muddied up. Here, it’s inside, there’s nice A/C, we have the option to go outside and chase balls. It’s been so great. It’s just a nice place to go.
“The bar isn’t bad, either.”
