A new dog care business has opened at a recently closed District Dogs location in Alexandria, marking the latest development in a story that began with tragedy and led to the creation of an entirely new brand “focused on enhanced safety standards”.
According to a New Administrative Special Use Permit notice, Steve Gaudio filed an application (SUP #2025-00031) seeking approval to operate “Molly’s Dog Care Alexandria” at 2403 Mandeville Lane, the former home of District Dogs Alexandria. The company announced on its website that the Alexandria location is now open for business.
Gaudio, CEO of Molly’s Dog Care, revealed in an April LinkedIn post that the new brand emerged from his experience with District Dogs, where he had partnered with the founder to expand through franchising before tragic incidents changed his perspective on the industry. In 2023 and 2024, District Dogs locations experienced incidents that resulted in the deaths of multiple dogs, leading Gaudio to split from the original brand.
“I strongly disagreed with how these tragedies were handled—from public communication to operational accountability,” Gaudio wrote, explaining his decision to create Molly’s Dog Care with new partners who shared his vision for improved industry standards.
District Dogs confirmed on its website that the Alexandria location “has officially closed,” directing customers to their remaining locations in Clarendon and National Landing. The closure left a gap in local pet care services, which Molly’s Dog Care Alexandria has now filled.
The new facility offers what Molly’s describes as “day play and sleepover” services, featuring “state-of-the-art ventilation and building materials.” According to Gaudio’s post, Molly’s implements mandatory dog safety handling and emergency training for all staff, along with daily operating procedures and stricter protocols for staff and dog evaluations.
Molly’s Dog Care operates as a regional chain with locations across the Mid-Atlantic, including established facilities in Reston, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland, with additional locations in Washington, D.C., and planned expansions to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Chevy Chase, Maryland.
The brand markets itself as providing “warmer, fuzzier neighborhood dog care” built on what Gaudio calls “real safety, real standards, and real care for dogs.” The company’s name references “Molly” as their “north star”—described as representing every dog who is “curious, energetic, sweet, and sometimes a little anxious.”
Although the business appears to be operating, the administrative change of ownership application remains under review by the city. City Planner Lanning Blaser is overseeing the permit process, with the public comment period open until July 16, 2025. Residents can submit feedback via email to [email protected] or by calling 703-746-4666.
For residents interested in learning more about the permit application, additional information is available on the city’s Administrative Special Use Permits webpage or by contacting the Planning and Zoning office at 703-746-4666.
Special Use Permit Application
Special Use Permit #2025-00031
Address: 2403 Mandeville Lane (Parcel Address: 2424 Mill Road)
Current Business Name: District Dogs Alexandria
Proposed Business Name: Molly’s Dog Care Alexandria
Administrative Special Use Permit request for a change of ownership of an animal care facility with overnight accommodation; zoned CDD #2/Coordinated Development District #2.
Applicant: Steve Gaudio
City Planner: Lanning Blaser, lanning.blaser@alexandriava.gov
Last Day for Public Comments: July 16, 2025
Full LinkedIn Post From Steve Gaudio
A New Chapter: Introducing Molly’s Dog Care
Over the last year, many of you have asked where I stand, what I’ve been working on, and where we go from here.
Today, I want to share the story directly. This message comes from a place of care—for the dogs, their humans, and the incredible franchisees who entrusted me with their futures.
For 15 years, I built a career in commercial real estate focused on developing authentic communities and supporting small businesses. I was proud to help restaurants like Thip Khao and Andy’s Pizza find homes, and to help regional brands like Compass Coffee and Union Kitchen grow. I loved helping small businesses thrive.
In 2015, I launched my own firm, District Equities, to do more of that. But like many, my world changed during the pandemic. The retail and hospitality ecosystem I supported collapsed. I had to find a new path.
That path brought me to the dog care world, and eventually, to District Dogs. I started as a customer. My dog, Asher, spent his days there while I built my business. I helped the company grow, bringing a full team of architects and professionals to create a first-of-its-kind urban facility at Navy Yard and all of the facilities that opened thereafter. Eventually, I partnered with the founder to expand the business through franchising. Franchising would allow for passionate dog lovers to open dog care facilities in their communities giving them the tools to do so, while making their business their own. Franchising allows for a closer connection between the operator of the business and the dogs in their care.Our agreement was simple: he would continue owning and operating his own stores and I would co-own and lead the growth of the franchise business.
Before any of the franchise owned locations under my leadership opened, tragedy struck.
In 2023, a catastrophic flood took the lives of 10 dogs at a District Dogs location. And in 2024, another devastating tragedy occurred. As a dog owner of 2 – Asher and Charlie – I was heartbroken. While these units were not owned or operated by me, and while I had no public platform from which to speak, I was deeply affected. Like many of you, I felt grief, anger, and frustration. I strongly disagreed with how these tragedies were handled—from public communication to operational accountability. I voiced those concerns privately but was not in a position of control.
My focus became clear: stand by the franchisees, who had invested their lives, money, and dreams into a future to open a dog daycare business that they no longer recognized. They deserved leadership. They deserved transparency. They deserved a path forward.
Over the last year, I’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes to give them that path. I found new partners, Sia and Barry Madani—lifelong dog owners, entrepreneurs with heart, operational experience, and a shared vision for what dog care should be. Together, we built something new.
Today, I’m proud to introduce Molly’s Dog Care—a fresh start built on real safety, real standards, and real care for dogs.
At Molly’s, we’re doing things differently. All staff receive mandatory dog safety handling and emergency training. We’ve implemented daily operating procedures and stricter protocols for staff and dog evaluations. Our commitment is not just to dogs—it’s to the trust placed in us by their families.
Molly is our north star. She’s not just one dog—she’s every dog. She’s curious, energetic, sweet, and sometimes a little anxious. She reminds us why this work matters. Every detail of Molly’s Dog Care has been designed for dogs like her—and for the humans who love them.
To the families who have suffered: I see you. I hear you. I was never silent in my heart, even when I couldn’t speak publicly. I chose to stay in this industry because I believed we could do better. Molly’s is that chance.
To our customers, old and new: We welcome you to be part of something better.
To our franchisees: You are the reason Molly’s exists. Thank you for sticking with me. You inspire me every day.
To our concerned community members: You were right to ask hard questions. I hope you’ll hold us accountable going forward.
This is a new beginning—and we’re just getting started.
— Steve Gaudio Founder, Molly’s Dog Care
