As printed in the January 24, 2008, Business Section of the Culpeper Star-Exponent (or click on the link to see it at StarExponent.com.
"From concrete runs and chain-link fences to tropical islands and acres of farmland, the business of pet boarding has evolved.
In Culpeper and surrounding counties, there are at least nine pet sitting or boarding businesses listed in the phonebook, plus a new boarding house that opened in November. There is pet boarding, grooming and even day care; everything a furry family member needs.
’Ohana Pet Paradise, which opened in November in Amissville, provides a pseudo-tropical getaway for dogs and cats. Inspired by trips to the Hawaiian Islands, ’Ohana’s atmosphere provides a vacation for pets while owners are on their own retreats.
“My wife and I were always big fans of Hawaii and our goal is someday to live there,” said owner Charlie Stilton. “We’re trying to be a little different; make it a little vacation for the animals.”
’Ohana, which means “family” in Hawaiian, has seven suites for dogs and three condos for cats, with one entire wall covered in a Hawaiian photomural. Pets can board and receive baths and nail trimming, but haircuts are not available.
Stilton built the suites himself in their garage, each designed to look like home with beds, bowls and welcome mats. Each cat condo has its own climbing tree as well, and the floor is raised throughout and insulated for warmth.
“We’re trying to keep it small and personal,” Stilton said. “We’ve always been animal lovers, and boarding is always something that people will need.”
Stilton and his wife, Pam, opened their pet paradise after moving to Amissville to start an alpaca business. When they did not find a suitable kennel for their own pets, they opened their own. The Stiltons have two dogs, four cats, three goats and 17 alpacas. They also have 10 acres of land with trails through the woods for taking walks with pets.
Another business with a similar goal - to personalize a pet’s boarding experience - and plenty of acreage is Willis Pet Sitting in Culpeper. Owner Nancy Willis opened the business in 1999 as a way to support the family’s 46-acre farm, complete with a converted dairy barn for more than 30 dogs.
“We couldn’t do beef cattle because we would never be able to sell them,” Willis said. “We had to do something that nobody had to die to support us.”
Willis Pet Sitting - a bit of a misnomer because the business is a kennel rather than in-home sitting - provides beds, baths and walks for dogs. Willis asks that owners bring their own food so dogs do not have to change their diets.
“The dogs are more like they’re at home here,” Willis said. “The dogs that stay with us are all handled personally and have a chance to get their feet on the grass. We’re with them all day.”
In addition to running a kennel, Willis also is trying to find homes for dogs she has rescued, though she said she could not handle any more rescues because of the plethora of pets she currently has.
“We just really want the dogs to have a great time while they’re here,” she said. “I’ve had dogs bail out of windows to get to us. They become like an extended member of our family.”
Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or camos@starexponent.com.
Getaways for the area’s four-legged residents
‘Ohana Pet Paradise
Pam and Charlie Stilton, owners
Amissville, 347-9820
ohanapetparadise.com
Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.,3 to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday by appointment only
Dog suites $35/day
Cat suites $20/day
Discounts available
Other area kennels
Alpha Kennels Pet Salon on U.S. 29, 825-1247
Mountain Run Kennel on Retriever Road, 547-2961
All Creatures Pet Sitting on Ripplebrook Drive, 727-8191
Indians Run Acres, 937-3349
Willis Pet Sitting
Nancy Willis, owner
19328 Willis Road, 547-4021
Open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7 to 8 p.m.
(except Friday p.m.)
Doggy day care $10/day
Boarding $15/day
Discounts available
