Your Dog's Next Vacation

K9 Resorts in Wilmington offers all-inclusive boarding, upscale amenities, and personalized care for your dog's home-away-from-home experience

By Jade Neptune

Standing in the entryway of K9 Resorts on Oleander, one might think they're walking into the foyer of an upscale hotel. In a sense, they are, with the light of the chandelier glinting off the marble countertops and the fresh scent of soap tickling their nostrils. But then, the excited yips of puppy voices echo through the building, eagerly welcoming home the unknown visitor, and it becomes clear. It's not just a hotel — it's the “Ritz Carlton” of pet boarding and daycare.

Owners Natalie Dreher and Cheryl Willie first bought into the franchise of K9 Resorts a couple of years ago when they went to a discovery day at the flagship location in Fanwood, New Jersey. Since opening the first location, the franchise has won multiple awards and is now internationally recognized for its elegant, luxury pet care services.

“We loved what we saw and recognized that there was nothing like it,” says Dreher. “We thought that Wilmington would be the perfect place for it.”

Dreher wasn't new to the wonders of pet parenthood or the reality of doggy daycare and boarding. As a pet owner, she has been familiar with the industry for over 20 years.

“I've never seen anything like it. The aesthetic is gorgeous,” she says.

The lobby is outfitted with crystal wall sconces, the tile throughout the main walkway of the resort shines in the light, glistening from their medical-grade cleaning supplies, and the staff is smiling and friendly in their upscale uniforms.

“It's just a different presence than anything you typically see in a boarding or daycare facility,” Dreher says.

Boarding rates at K9 Resorts are all-inclusive, including overnight charges for boarding, all-day doggy daycare, private one-on-one play for the dog, and food. Services are dependent on the dog's personality, such as if they would better benefit from group play with other dogs or individual play with a human.

“That's pretty different with competitors in the market,” says Dreher. “A lot of them charge extra if it's private playtime or the doggy daycare as an add-on to the boarding rate. And we offer something all-inclusive.”

There are three types of accommodations for luxury boarding: luxury suites, executive rooms, and traditional compartments. Luxury suites each include a “couch”-style dog bed and a TV mounted on the wall that plays “Dog TV” day and night, which can house up to four dogs. Executive rooms are 5'x7' cage-free spaces featuring luxury bedding and can accommodate up to three dogs. Traditional compartments are available in both standard and double accommodations that feature a blend of “comfort and security”, perfect for pets who are familiar with crating.

All dogs at K9 Resorts go through a temperament assessment to ensure that the resort is a good fit for their individual needs. Once this is completed and they are in the care of the resort, they have access to playtime on artificial turf, regular disinfection with medical-grade, pet-safe supplies, and even a splash pad. 

No matter the size, breed, or personality of the dog, they're family at K9 Resorts, where their owners are referred to as “parents” and their playmates their “friends.” Whatever your needs may be, they have something for that, too.

“Let's say somebody is booked up with events throughout the weekend from the Azalea festival and they want to have the freedom to come in and go as they please, they could bring their dog in for a weekend of boarding,” says Dreher. 

The entirety of K9 Resorts staff, from customer service to pet care technicians, are all trained in pet first aid and CPR and have undergone dog behavioral training. There is also UV air filtration in all boarding and daycare areas to help combat bacteria in the air, while the flooring and synthetic turf have a type of antimicrobial agent built in called microbands.

“We're doing everything we can to keep our space very, very clean that helps set us aside,” Dreher said. “But I think it's our team, too.”

But Dreher recognizes that it's not just the safety practices in place that make K9 Resorts different. It's the love for the pets, too. 

“Dogs don't always have good days. Sometimes they have bad days, just like humans do, and we share that information with the owners,” Dreher says. “We just always want to be transparent and authentic.”

Book your pet's next vacation today by visiting K9 Resorts at 5302 Oleander Drive for a tour or check out their website for more information at k9resorts.com/wilmington.