THE VALE'S FIRST DEDICATED DOG SWIMMING POOL

Aim

TO OPEN THE VALE'S FIRST DEDICATED DOG SWIMMING POOL: A 24ft above ground pool for dogs to exercise, learn to swim, rehabilitate & have fun

Since establishing ZOOM-eze in 2023 we have launched the following services for the pet-owning local community:

- Indoor dog play sessions

- Pet and equine supplies

- The dog walkers put-stop in Porthkerry Park

- The self-service dog wash at the Cwm Talwg pub

The Dog Swimming Pool is the final service proposed in our business plan - the last piece of the jigsaw.

Why Swimming?

Dogs need exercise. But not all exercise is equal. Running, jumping, and high-impact activity can put strain on joints, especially for older dogs, overweight dogs, or dogs with existing conditions.

Swimming is different. Water supports the body, taking the weight off joints while still providing a full-body workout. It's one of the most effective, low-impact exercises available – and it's suitable for dogs of all ages, shapes, and sizes.

💪 Physical Benefits

• Water buoyancy can take up to 63% of a dog's body weight off their joints, allowing for safe movement without the stress of land-based exercise. This makes swimming ideal for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other joint conditions.
• Water provides natural resistance, helping dogs build and maintain muscle strength without the risk of injury.
• Swimming strengthens the heart and lungs, improving overall stamina and endurance. It's thought that one minute of swimming is equivalent to four minutes of running.
  Swimming burns calories without putting pressure on joints – making it a safe and effective way for overweight dogs to lose weight.
•  Warm water exercise promotes blood flow, which aids healing and reduces inflammation.
•  Swimming encourages a full range of motion, helping to maintain and improve joint flexibility.
• The buoyancy of water reduces load on sore joints and muscles, providing relief for dogs suffering from arthritis or recovering from injury.

🧠 Mental & Emotional Benefits

Stress Relief Swimming helps burn pent-up energy, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Water is a different environment from land – it challenges dogs mentally and keeps them engaged.

• For nervous or anxious dogs, swimming in a calm, safe environment can build confidence.
• Swimming sessions can be a great way for dogs to interact with others in a controlled, positive setting
• Physical exercise like swimming helps dogs sleep better – and sleep is when the body repairs and rejuvenates itself.

 A Note on Hydrotherapy vs Recreational Swimming

We want to be clear about what our pool is – and what it isn't.

Our pool is a recreational swimming pool – not a hydrotherapy pool.

It's a safe, fun space for dogs to paddle, play, and cool off. It's not a medical facility, and it's not a replacement for professional veterinary hydrotherapy.

If your dog needs rehabilitation or is recovering from surgery, please speak to your vet or a qualified hydrotherapist. They'll know what's best for your dog's recovery.

We're here for the fun swims – and we're proud to complement the work of the amazing hydrotherapists in our area. 🐾

🐾 Safety First

Your dog's safety is our top priority.

We've designed the pool with safety at its heart. Life jackets are provided for non-swimmers, a trained staff member is always present, and we've put simple rules in place to make sure every swim is a safe one.

✅ Fresh drinking water Always available for your dog

✅ A secure, non-slip ramp for easy access

✅ Short sessions We encourage breaks to prevent fatigue

✅ Daily safety checks Pool, ramp, and equipment are checked before every session

· ✅ Stay with your dog at all times

· ✅ Let your dog enter the water at their own pace – no forcing

· ✅ Watch for signs of fatigue or stress

· ✅ Follow staff instructions

· ✅ Contact your vet if your dog coughs or seems unwell after 

Why a pool?

• It’s a safe environment, controlled environment for your dog, with entry and exit ramps and professionals on hand at all times.
• Natural water resources come with their own risks: speed of current;  nesting birds or other wildlife that could be disturbed; sharp objects such as glass or litter; algae, bacteria or parasites that could be dangerous
• While the sea is on our doorstep, in summer months there are beach restrictions for dogs and sand is not always a dog’s best friend, causing itchiness and discomfort.
• There can be the risk of strong currents, tides and riptides
• Other beachgoers such as sunbathers, surfers, and children might be not welcome your furry friend
• Beach/water cleanliness??
• In the hotter months dogs can keep active and keep cool!

The Vision:

We are on a mission to build the Vale of Glamorgan's first dedicated dog swimming pool. A place where dogs can exercise, rehabilitate, and have fun, all year round—rain or shine.

While our initial plan was to have an outdoor pool for the summer season only, given the lateness in the season, and depending on how quickly we can raise the funds, we may go straight for the indoor permanent heated pool, with a view to having an additional, outdoor pool in spring 2027. This will be 32 x 16 ft and will also be used for dock diving and agility competitions.

Our challenge: 

It’s been a tough year for all of us! The cost of living crisis and impact of the heatwaves has hit hard.  Add to that the loss of the tender for our Porthkerry shop at our busiest time of year. The result - our cash flow has taken a huge bashing!

We are not in the position to raise our own funds to pay for the pool.

However, we have had an enormous response on our socials to the prospect of our new dog pool. We don’t want to let anyone down!

People keep asking me: "When is the pool opening?" "Can we book yet?" "My dog really needs this."

Then I had a lightbulb moment! We can  make this work together! 

I'm not asking for donations as such - we're inviting you to be part of something a bit different.

For every £1 you pledge, you'll receive an equal amount in swim credit on future swims. 

Plus, automatic Club Zoom-eze membership (with 10% off in store and special offers), for varying periods of time according to the value of the donation.

The Cost Breakdown

We're raising £5,250 to buy the essential equipment we need to get the pool open

Pool - £1,400 - A high-quality 24ft x 12ft

Ramp -  £2,000 - Safe, custom built ramp for easy access for all dogs

Heater -  £1,220 - To keep the water at a comfortable temperature year-round

Filter & Pump - £450 To keep the water clean and crystal clear

Crowdfunder fees ~£580 Platform and transaction fees

Total Target £5,250 

Stretch Goals – If We Raise More

If we exceed our core target, every extra pound will help us to open an indoor, all year, heated  pool sooner!

Stretch Goals:

1 £ 4,750 3 months rent as a deposit + business rates

2 £10,000 - A second pool - potentially closer to where you live. We’ll put it to the vote - where to open 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 23rd September 2026 at 11:56am