Savannah Dog Daycare's Electric 'Pup Bus' Delights Pets

When the bright electric "Pup Bus" rolls up to Savannah homes, pet parents grab their phones to capture their dogs boarding like excited schoolchildren heading to class.

Paul and Emily Shadel, owners of Barkyard dog daycare, invested in a 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric vehicle to transport dogs across Savannah, Port Wentworth, and Skidaway Island. The zero-emission bus has logged 4,500 miles in just six months, making 30 to 40 trips monthly while traveling up to 50 miles on busy days.

The electric bus wasn't just about cute marketing photos. For the Shadels, who have driven plug-in hybrids for nearly seven years, it represented their deepest business values meeting customer needs.

"We are an extremely eco-friendly brand," Paul Shadel explained. The company scrutinizes every purchase, from trash bags to cleaning supplies, choosing sustainable options whenever possible.

The bus travels 250 to 300 miles per charge and plugs in regularly at their facility. Nurses working long shifts particularly love the service—their dogs get picked up after they leave and dropped off before they return home.

"We literally show up after they leave, and we drop their dogs off before they get home," Shadel said. "Their dog's taken care of for their entire day."

The Ripple Effect

The Pup Bus isn't profitable, and that's exactly the point. Shadel admits they don't make money from the transportation service, but it demonstrates their commitment to going above and beyond for customers.

That philosophy extends beyond daycare pickups. Barkyard helps customers with veterinary transportation, pet rehoming efforts, and other challenges that fall outside traditional services.

The environmental commitment resonates with customers who appreciate supporting businesses aligned with their values. "Our customers are willing to pay us money because they know that we make decisions that are also better for the environment," Shadel said.

The Pup Bus also serves as rolling education at community events like Savannah Earth Day, showing how small businesses can embrace clean transportation while strengthening customer relationships. With large windows and sunroofs, dogs ride with heads out the windows, creating what Shadel calls "the best marketing ever."

For Barkyard, sustainability and exceptional service aren't competing priorities—they're two sides of the same commitment to building a better future, one happy dog ride at a time.