Meet the Team
At Dogtopia, we believe that dogs aren’t just pets; they’re family. Our mission is to provide a loving and safe haven for your beloved four-legged best friends while you’re away for the day. Meet Nicolle Jordi and Vicky Lingley, proud founders and co-owners of Dogtopia Ballito. Allow us to share our story and vision with you.
NICOLLE JORDI
“A Lifetime of Love for Animals”- meet Nicolle
As a proud mom with two extra-special fur babies, my journey to Dogtopia is rooted in a lifetime of love and devotion to animals. I spent most of my life in Johannesburg, where I was fortunate enough to grow up on large properties surrounded by a menagerie of animals – dogs, cats, parrots, horses and fish, to name a few. It was here that I developed an absolute passion for animals, particularly dogs. I’ve always believed that dogs are not just our companions; they are our confidants, our partners, and our most loyal friends.
In December 2022, my family and I relocated to the beautiful coastal town of Ballito. While exploring our new community, I quickly realized that there was a significant gap in the market for doggie daytime care.
Uniting with a Fellow Pet Enthusiast…
One fateful day, I had the pleasure of meeting Vicky Lingley, the owner of Collar and Comb, another well-respected pet-oriented establishment in Ballito. We shared a love for animals, a commitment to their well-being, and a vision of creating something extraordinary. It was clear that we were destined to join forces.
Together, Vicky and I have united our passion, expertise, and dedication to create Dogtopia – a place where your precious little creatures can thrive, socialize, and receive the love and care they deserve.
VICKY LINGLEY
“A deep love for animals”- meet Vicky
Welcome to Dogtopia! I am the founder of Collar and Comb Pet Grooming Boutique which I started 3 years ago after the COVID slump. I realized it was time to do something that I’m passionate about instead of my boring 8 to 5 job which brought me little to no satisfaction.
My deep love for animals and all furry creatures alike sparked the idea of opening a grooming parlour like none other. Since then, we have grown in leaps and bounds and perfected the art of grooming and we are very proud to say that we have won the title as “Best of Ballito” for 2022 and 2023.
After receiving numerous enquiries for a place which people can leave their fur kids for short amounts of time i.e. a doggie day care facility, for various reasons, I decided to add this idea onto my current business and expand my service offering to fur parents, and partnered up to start this amazing concept of a doggie care. Dogtopia was born. It’s aimed at people who want to have their pups socialized and get them interacting with other doggies in a safe, clean, supervised environment and to take the guilt away from having to leave your pets home alone all of the time, and not being able to give them the love and interaction they deserve.
My favourite quote is: “Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong”
At Dogtopia, we’re not just a daycare; we’re a place where tails wag, and hearts are happy. We look forward to welcoming you and your precious pets to our safe haven of canine companionship.