Welcome to Pico Pups!

Pico Pups Daycare began with a simple realisation: I could never leave my small dog at home all day by herself — and I knew that a large, traditional doggy daycare centre wasn’t the right fit for an anxious little dog. I also knew I wouldn’t be the only owner looking for something calmer, more personal and more suited to small dogs.

Before starting Pico Pups, I spent 18 years working as a newborn photographer. That role required patience, gentle confidence and an instinctive understanding of how to handle small, fragile and dependent little humans — qualities that translate naturally to caring for very small dogs. It also means I love capturing beautiful photos of the dogs in my care, which owners really enjoy receiving throughout the day.

I’ve had dogs my entire life, and caring for them has always been a genuine passion. Over the years, that love naturally extended to looking after the dogs of family, friends and local owners — particularly small dogs who thrive in a calm, safe, home environment.

Pico Pups truly took shape when I closed my photography business and welcomed a tiny 600-gram Chihuahua puppy into my life. It quickly became clear that creating a small, home-based daycare focused on personal attention, gentle routines and a true home-away-from-home experience for little dogs wasn’t just a good idea — it was something many owners were searching for.

What began as a solution for my own dog has grown into a space where other small dogs can enjoy the same level of calm, attentive care — and where owners can leave them with complete confidence and peace of mind.

Katrina xx

Gidget (the inspiration behind Pico Pups!) is our young female chihuahua weighing in a just a smidge over 2kg.  She has some anxiety issues (mostly due to her small size) but she loves making new friends and is always up for a game!  You will see her featured a LOT on our website and socials :)

Jessie (aka Nanna Jess) is our older Border Collie and a much-loved member of our household. Calm, gentle and well-socialised, she has spent her entire life around small dogs.  Jessie enjoys meeting new friends when appropriate and always under supervision. She comes and goes from shared spaces calmly and respectfully, helping to set a relaxed tone within the home.

Importantly, Jessie has her own dedicated areas of the house and yard, meaning full separation is always available. Interactions are carefully managed and only occur when it is in the best interests of all dogs.

Safety, comfort and suitability always come first.