While the economy may have gone to the dogs, local businesses that offer goods and services for man’s best friend have something to howl about.

Revenues have doubled for Jon and Margaret Svoboda since they purchased Arbor Dog Daycare in 2006, and they hope to nearly triple their indoor space at their South Main Street location once the city and their landlord iron out some unrelated issues, they said.

They want to expand their 3,200-square-feet indoor space to more than 9,000 square feet, a move that will allow them to grow from caring for 25 dogs to 125 dogs at a time.

“It’s frustrating, we’re turning people away,” Jon said. They expect to hire eight to 10 more employees with the expansion.

They have grown in spite of the economy, Margaret said.

“When the economy started to tank, I said ‘Hold on this might not be good.’ But our numbers are growing.”

There may be a few reasons: Ann Arbor hasn’t been hit as hard by the economy as the rest of the state, Arbor Dog has won praise for their operation and they offer a number of bonuses, such as a 24-hour Web cam that allows pet owners to see their pooch while they are away.

Customers aren’t holding back when it comes to feeding their pets, said Lisa Pearce, co-owner of Green Pawz pet supply, which specializes in natural and organic pet food, in the Maple Village Shopping Center. Sales are above projections, even in this uncertain economy, she said.

“It’s better than we ever dreamed of.”

Pet owners are reading the food labels, especially after the pet food recalls in 2007 that found melamine in pet food. While owners may pass on designer carriers and pet strollers, they are opening their wallets for good food, she said. “People are willing to sacrifice for their pets. I have people tell me all the time that their dogs eat better than they do. Sometimes I believe them.”

The national chains are also performing well locally. Sales at Ann Arbor Petco, located in the Arborland Shopping Center, are strong, said Stacey Duskey, a store manager. Petco has more than 1,000 stores nationwide.

Alice Liberson, owner of independent Dogma Catmantoo pet supply in downtown Ann Arbor, said sales have been good if not spectacular since the economy turned sour.

“For many people in the Ann Arbor area, you can splurge on your pet for $10. They say ‘It’s not for me, it’s for my dog or cat and it is only $10,” said Liberson, a trained veterinarian.

And while her shop hasn’t expanded, Liberson will begin to offer Chinese medicine and acupuncture for pets once she finishes a course at the end of next month. Alternative medicine for pets is not necessarily a luxury item, she said.

“It can be more economical and more humane.”

Dog owners are taking their responsibilities more seriously, said Amy Samida, owner of Naughty Dog Café, a dog day care and limited boarding business in Ann Arbor.

“People are much more aware of their dog’s exercise needs, their social needs, that their dog needs time to play with other dogs,” she said. This plays out in the growing market of dog toys, including the Canine Genius brand of smart toys and the high-end Nina Ottosson line of dog puzzles and other toys.

This fall Samida plans to add a couple of self-serve dog wash stations, an indoor dog pool and a coffee bar for patrons while they wait for a tub. She also hopes to add a play area with Astroturf so her charges will have a place to play free of mud.

Business has been so good, Samida said that she’s had to put her dog treat baking business on the back burner to handle the day care, but hopes to revive that soon.

While competition is growing in the dog service arena, so is demand. That’s good, Samida said.

“Everyone has such a different business (in doggie day care), there’s now an option for every different kind of dog personality.” The economy hasn’t killed demand. One of her clients is struggling financially but still brings her dog to the Naughty Dog Café for socialization, Samida said.

“She walks dogs to pay for it.”