A playful atmosphere, wagging tails, and muzzles jostling for a stroke are the daily sights at the Rusti Dog House in Geri, a dog ‘school’ that provides pick-up and drop-off services to socialise, train, occupy, and relieve the energy of dogs while their owners are at work.
The service was the brainchild of dog trainer Charalambos Hadjivasilis. While it initially began as a dog hotel, the increased demand for daily dog care (daycare) prompted the trainer to evolve it into a ‘school’. In a conversation with Phileleftheros, Hadjivasilis disclosed that the initial concept was inspired by Philippa Christodoulides Karsera, the President’s wife, whose dog was a guest at the facility.
Named after Charalambos’s first dog, a Husky, the Rusti Dog House now offers three main services: Daycare, Hotel, and Training.
A day at the dog school
The daycare currently serves around 30 dogs, offering continuous supervision and unlimited play in a specially designed area managed by a seven-person staff. The facility features four parks equipped with toys, balls, obstacles, tunnels, and small plastic pools.
Each morning, school vans leave the facility to follow different routes, picking up the first dog from home as early as 06:00. After all dogs arrive, they are separated into groups and placed in the parks. The staff then begins the structured routine of training, play, and energy relief. Dogs that cannot safely socialise with others are managed individually in a separate area. Around 12:00, the dogs are settled for a rest period before the activities resume. The return journey starts at 17:00.
Requirements, routes, and costs
Hadjivasilis said that the daycare should be an activity the dogs look forward to with enthusiasm. He advised that for this reason, daycare is not recommended for every day of the week to prevent the dogs from getting bored.
For larger, more energetic dogs, three days a week is considered ideal, while two days are sufficient for smaller breeds. The number of days can be increased for owners who have limited time to dedicate to their pets.
Crucially, no special criteria are required for a dog to join the ‘school’, other than being vaccinated and receiving all necessary veterinary care.
The pick-up and drop-off routes are currently limited to the Nicosia district, specifically serving areas including Latsia, Geri, Strovolos, Aglantzia, Palouriotissa, Kaimakli, Lakatamia, Dasoupoli, Pyrga, and Nisou. However, plans are being considered to expand the Rusti Dog House to other cities, pending the necessary funding.
The monthly cost for daycare is as follows:
- €130 for two days a week
- €170 for three days a week
- €210 for four days a week
- €270 for five days a week
The final schedule is decided through consultation between the owner and Charalambos, based on the dog’s needs and the owner’s availability. Notably, the school is also attended by the pets of several high-profile Cypriot figures, including officials, former ministers, and actors. Rusti Dog House also collaborates with the Simba Animal Aid Cyprus shelter, taking on dogs with behavioural issues for training and fostering.
Christmas holiday advice
Ahead of the festive season, Hadjivasilis appealed to pet owners to exercise responsible care, particularly regarding giving pets as gifts.
“A dog is neither a toy nor a gift. We are dealing with lives. We do not know if the person we want to gift the dog to can care for it and provide everything it needs,” he warned.
He also addressed the rise in fireworks during Christmas and New Year, advising owners to keep their dogs close. For dogs that are anxious or afraid of fireworks, he suggested putting on music to mask the loud noises or creating a special, enclosed safe space for dogs left outdoors. He further advised those who cannot keep their dogs inside during cold weather to create warm outdoor spaces with beds and blankets.
More information is available on the Rusti Dog House website.
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