PHILOSOPHY When Starting the Kennel in 1994...

The Pet Tender's Boarding Kennel grew from odd roots. I have been very fortunate to have had many wonderful personal and professional opportunities. I have lived in seven different states and traveled in every state except Hawaii. I have a Master's degree and 20 years of solid executive experience. I've been a community center director, college teacher, camp director, professional Scout, social service agency director, national association executive (responsible for membership, field service, education, certification, standards, accreditation and convention management).

I've also been a sales clerk, a data entry operator, a waitress, a receptionist and an animal research technician. I've worked principally in the public and non-profit sectors. But I've also worked briefly with veterinarians and a Fortune 500 Corporation. Avocationally, I have served on the boards of Humane Societies in two states. We moved to Missouri for my husband to be close to his family and to start a furniture building business with his brother-in-law. My only requirement was that he support me and my animals in a style to which we wished to become accustomed! It became readily apparent that would be my responsibility. After a few years of primarily disenchanting employment experiences, I was left no other choice and the Pet Tender's Boarding Kennel was born.

A better "Service" than "Business" Model

It's parameters:
1) To be the best kennel I could make it for the animals and the clients who use it.
2) To have no employers, no employees, and no commute!
The two actually fit together quite nicely. I only do what I can do well: board animals. Since I do everything myself, except on Friday mornings when Pat tends the cattery so we can go out to lunch, I am totally accountable. I can discuss the boarding behavior of each animal when families call and I can assure owners that pets are never mistreated. Since I'm limited to "me," the kennel is necessarily small. That's good for clients and critters too. It's like being in a house together. I know it's comfortable, because I live here too, at least 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I do sleep, it's in a bedroom overlooking the kennel. This is my life now.

I try to have policies and practices which are clear, fair, and allow me to devote my attention to people when they need me. As for prices, I think they are the highest in Franklin County. The irony is, that I don't make any money. I take no salary. I borrowed the $80,000 to build the kennel and become an entrepreneur at the age of 50 and I will have to stay healthy and work well past retirement age just to retire the debt! So, if you wonder why prices are high - it's the overhead! The kennel may look plain and simple, but I found out that "state of the art" comfort and space is expensive!

I always tell people to look at a kennel before they buy into it. Walk though it, smell it, get a feel for it. Be sure to look at where the animals live. Yes, it willl be noisy when you walk through, but it's not that way when you're gone. It's usually pretty peaceful. This is a country kennel. We still have the luxury of indoor/outdoor living spaces. A kennel is not like home, but generally critters here seem to feel pretty comfortable and secure.

How Animals are Treated

I'm the basic "dog-whisperer" - I rarely try the alpha role and it's kept me unscathed so far. I try never to force myself on a reluctant animal, and the space allows me to work around those who are unsure. Eventually most come to trust. An animal trainer I'm not. I just try to get along... and we usually have a pretty good rapport.

And cats are my love. In the three years I spent working with 600 research cats who live their lives in cages, I had a lot of time to think about "building a better cage." I think I have, and I am proud of the cattery. And I'm delighted that more and more people are being increasingly careful about where and how their cats are boarded.

Outreach

I believe animals are intelligent, sensitive beings like ourselves. I try to treat them accordingly. Yes, we talk, I sing and they look at me funny - that's one advantage of working "alone"! From the bumper sticker collection on my wall, some would assume I'm an animal rights activist. I don't know whether I am or not, but I do know I believe we don't have the right to treat animals the way we still routinely do for food, research and entertainment. I look forward to a more humane world. To that end, I support animal welfare legislation as well as humane and environmental education programs. And I maintain a library of resources about such matters for clients who are interested.

I also maintain extensive client files with emergency contact information. And I encourage clients to post emergency notices on their homes and to carry cards in their auto's to inform rescue personnel of any pet needs and to notify Pet Tender's for assistance in an emergency.

In short, this is the best job I have ever had! I feel like I'm providing a valuable community service to people who love their animal companions, I get to spend most of my time alone with animals, and I get to do everything my own way! A wise financial endeavor - probably not. A wise personal endeavor - absolutely!

~ Kay Kester-Oliver, Pet Tender ~