New ‘pup bus’ owned by former UNC athlete among the first of its kind in Raleigh
The school bus with Carolina blue accents stationed at Raleigh’s Jaycee Park on weekdays is no ordinary school bus.
While the inside may be just as loud, the noises come not from giddy children but from giddy dogs whose owners have booked their furry friends for a day on the Pup Park Shuttle.
The new business, which launched in November, was founded by former UNC basketball player Baden Jaxen (who went by the name Dexter Strickland during his time in Chapel Hill).
Pup Park Shuttle is a kind of doggy daycare, but instead of keeping pets at a single location, the shuttle takes the animals to multiple parks every day, allowing them to play and get plenty of exercise.
“I feel like it provides a service not only for the pup, but for people that have a workload and just have a career that doesn’t always align with, you know, with the care of their dog,” Jaxen told The News & Observer in a phone call.
How Pup Park Shuttle came to be
After leaving UNC, Jaxen played professional basketball for a dozen years, but when he tore his Achilles tendon, he started thinking about another career opportunity he could pursue that wasn’t so dependent on his physical health and age.
Three months ago, Jaxen was scrolling on TikTok when he saw a video of a company picking up dogs in a bus and taking them to a daycare facility where they could roam its outdoor space. He thought the idea was “unique,” and contacted the company to ask about bringing the business to North Carolina.
They declined, he said. But based on his own experiences and those of people he knew, Jaxen thought that the business would benefit students or individuals who have a full-time job that makes caring for dogs difficult. So he began setting up a company.
Facebook Marketplace introduced him to the wheels — a small school bus with a reasonable price tag and low mileage from a seller in West Virginia.
He and his family renovated the bus. The exterior paint job nods to his alma mater, and the inside is inspired by the outdoors. Jaxen installed grassy turf on the floor, painted a sky on the ceiling and added faux foliage reminiscent of trees.
Then he completed the legal requirements to start his own business, created a website and social media accounts, and in November, Pup Park Shuttle embarked on its first ride.
“With this company, I’m kind of like envisioning myself as a dog, and what would be a fantastic day for me,” Jaxen said.
How Pup Park Shuttle works
Pet parents can reserve a spot for their dog — any size or age — on Pup Park Shuttle’s website.
Then, they can drop off their dog at the shuttle, which is located at Jaycee Park from 7:30-8 a.m. weekdays. Or, if they live close enough to the park, the bus will pick up the pet at their home.
At the end of the day, the bus returns to Jaycee Park so pets can be reunited with their owners. The shuttle can also drop dogs off at their homes, if they’re near the park.
There’s a bus driver and a second staffer on board to make sure pets are safe and comfortable during the drive.
The shuttle visits at least three parks a day, and there are a bunch in the rotation, including Carpenter Park in Cary, William B. Umstead State Park, Dorothea Dix Park, Apex Community Park and Lake Johnson Park.
“We just try to do like, different things each and every day, so we keep it fresh throughout the whole week,” Jaxen said.
Learn more at pupparkshuttle.com.
Expanding the Pup Park Shuttle business
Jaxen said the company is off to a good start, and he has some ideas for growing it.
He is working to partner with warehouses that have enclosures so that there’s a place to take the dogs when the weather isn’t cooperating. He also wants to work with a professional trainer who can offer pet training for interested pet owners.
Pup Park Shuttle may be the first business of its kind in Raleigh — which was ranked one of the most pet-friendly cities in 2022 and 2023 — but Jaxen wants to expand it in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, as well as throughout the country.
How to keep pets safe during winter
Wintry weather has arrived in North Carolina, and making sure pets are cared for in cold temperatures isn’t just humane — it’s the law.
In general, it’s illegal to leave animals in cold weather without adequate protection from the elements, The N&O previously reported.
The American Red Cross recommends these tips to help keep pets safe during cold weather:
- Bring them inside.
- Dress your pet in booties, use petroleum jelly or wipe paws down to protect their paws and keep them from licking salt and chemicals used to melt ice and snow.
- Consider a coat or sweater for your pet.
- Make sure your home is humidified, and towel-dry your pet when coming indoors.
- Limit baths, and use moisturizing shampoos.
- Watch for hypothermia and frostbite.
- Avoid walking on frozen water.
- Make sure pet supplies are in your emergency kit, in case of power outages.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM.
