"Winter weather tips for pet owners"

This article focuses on winter weather tips from K-9 Resorts to pet parents and how to make sure they stay warm, safe and healthy during the cold months. Preview below or read full article here.

"Winter weather tips for pet owners"

By: Alternative Press

With the cold weather and holiday season upon us, it’s important for all pet parents to know the best advice to take care of their furry family members. K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel would like to share some winter weather tips for you and your pets. For more information about K-9 Resorts in Fanwood, more tips for your pets or to find a location near you go to www.k9resorts.com, fanwood@k9resorts.com or call at (908) 490-0808. 

1. When you bring your pet in from outside, make sure to wipe its paws and underside to remove any ice balls that could cause frostbite. Check ears, tail, and paws for any signs of frostbite as well.


2. Make sure you check your house for plants that could potentially harm your pets. Poinsettias are extremely poisonous to dogs and are most commonly found during the holidays around the home.

Read full article here. 

“K-9 Resorts Plans Luxury 'Dog Hotel' in Madison”

Below is the article featured in Madison Patch Journal surrounding the new K-9 Resorts location opening in Madison, NJ. Read full article here or begin below.

“K-9 Resorts Plans Luxury 'Dog Hotel' in Madison”

BY: Jake Remlay


A K-9 Resorts franchise plans to open on Prospect Street in Madison.

The business offers luxury, cage-free boarding, and doggie daycare, K-9 resorts co-founder Jason Parker said. Dogs are given a temperament test, and then are able to play in a large playroom throughout the day.

There is no maximum amount of time dogs can stay there, and some dogs have stayed for months at a time. Dogs can stay in private rooms with outdoor windows and TVs tuned to Animal Planet, Parker said.

The building at 22 Prospect Street in Madison, a former St. Hubert's location, is being outfitted with top-of-the-line ventilation systems and improved noise control.

The Madison location will be the fourth K-9 Resort. Other locations are in Fanwood, Fairfield and Middletown. Nine more franchises are in development, he said.

Read full article here. 

Remove the Mess

We all love dogs, but don't want remnants of their mess left behind. Thanks to the folks at Dogster we have a few homemade remedies that will not break the bank while keeping those nasty odors and stains away. Read here for full article or begin below.

"Six Homemade Remedies for Dog Stains and Odors"

BY: DOGSTER

If you're strapped for cash and can't pick up your favorite professional cleaning products, fret not. There are a multitude of stain and odor remedies you can make at home with ingredients you may already have.

There are many pluses to using homemade pet cleaning remedies. It is cost effective for one, simple to put together, and as environmentally and pet-friendly as one could want. For some jobs that require extra strength, you may want to use ingredients that are best kept away from your pets. But you'll also find many non-toxic homemade pet cleaning remedies.

There are a few downsides to using homemade pet cleaning remedies but they can be worked with. Homemade supplies do not usually pack the punch that those we find in stores do, whether toxic or non-toxic. This is because you would need a laboratory to mimic some of their ingredients. But what a homemade pet cleaning remedy lacks in strength, you can make up for with elbow grease. Another downside is that homemade remedies do not retain their cleaning power as long as commercial ones. This just means mixing more often and, if you keep the ingredients on hand, this is easy to do.

Read the rest of the article here.

Tips to Finding Your Dog a New Friend

Adding another dog to the house can be a great thing for your current dog. However, it’s important to realize that there are some adjustments that need to be made in order for this companionship to be successful. Thanks to our friends at the ASPCA we have some tips as to how to introduce a new dog into the home. Read the article here or begin below.

"Introducing Your Dog to a New Dog"

By: ASPCA

As of 2007–2008, there were nearly 75 million pet dogs in the United States, living in nearly 45 million U.S. homes. Although the majority of dog guardians (63%) own just one dog, 25% own two, and 12% own three or more. So if you’ve decided to get a second or third dog, you’re in good company!

Adding another dog to your household can bring you and your current dog more fun and companionship. However, it’s important to realize that your current dog, might feel similar to how you might feel if your parents picked your friends and then told you to share your toys with them. In the long run, things will probably work out fabulously, but in the beginning it’s a very smart idea to take a few extra steps to make everyone feel good about the new arrangement. This article provides some guidelines for making smooth and safe introductions and ensuring that your dogs’ relationship gets off to a great start.

Maximizing the potential for a great relationship between your new dog and your current dog is a two-step process. It involves the actual introduction and then management of the new dog in your home. We’ll start with introductions and then give you guidelines for helping your dogs through the initial transition weeks of being together in your home.

Read full article here.

A Healthy Dog is a Happy Dog

A healthy dog is a happy dog. Our friends at Purina have some suggestions as to how to keep your dog healthy all year long. Read the full article here or begin below.

"How can I keep my dog healthy?"

By: Purina

KEEPING YOUR DOG HEALTHY

Your dog can help keep you happy and healthy, and we know you want to return the favor. What is the best food for your dog? How often should you exercise him? The diet and activity requirements for dogs differ between breeds. Knowing the unique needs of your dog is the first step toward maintaining his health.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOG FOOD

Select a dog food that is designed for your dog’s health. Take his size, weight, breed and age into consideration when searching for the perfect food.

ADEQUATE EXERCISE

There’s no substitute for a nice long walk. Many dogs require regular exercise in order to stay healthy and in shape. Learning about the activity level of your dog can help you better understand how much exercise he needs. Purina Pro Plan created an app that can help you do that.

Read full article here.

"Dog Lovers Start Luxury Hotel For Your Pooch."

K-9 Resorts was featured on CNBC Power Pitch in a segment titled, "Dog lovers start luxury hotel for your pooch." Watch full video segment and read article here or begin below.

"Dog Lovers Start Luxury Hotel For Your Pooch." 

By: Joanna Weinstein 

Brothers Steven and Jason Parker are on a mission to create the ultimate five-star hotel experience but their accommodations are very exclusive … only dogs can check in!

“We wanted to get into the luxury pet care business because there's two things in life we love and that is dogs and owning our own business,” K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel co-founder Steven Parker told CNBC.

We gave the Parker brothers just 60 seconds to pitch their award-winning pet care facility. Will their idea get five-star approval from our panelists? Watch the video and see if K-9 Resortshas what it takes to succeed in the dog-eat-dog start-up world.

More than just puppy love

The Parker brothers are not newcomers to the business world. At just 12 and 14 years old, instead of riding bikes after school, they were running a dog walking business.

“Jason and I always loved dogs growing up and our parents weren't really big dog people so we wanted to find a way to prove that we were responsible enough to care for dogs,” Steven Parker told CNBC.

Watch video and finish article here!

Prepping Those Pups For The Colder Months

The cold air and snow brings on many concerns for us this winter, but what does it mean for your dog? It is important to take the necessary precautions in order to properly prepare your pup for the winter months. Thanks to our friends at the American Kennel Club you can learn about the necessary measures that need to be taken in order to protect your furry friend. Read full article here or begin below.

"WINTER CARE FOR CANINES"

By: American Kennel club

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:

•Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.

•Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.

•Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.

•Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.

Read full article here.

A Doggy Dog Halloween

Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! Looking for a cute Halloween costume for your dog this year? Check out these 15 easy DIY ideas from the folks at Spoonful. Give it your own personal touch or follow the step by step tutorials.

Click here for some great ideas!

"Fanwood Luxury Canine Care Center Partners With Scotch Plains Police to Pamper Patrol Pooches"

Recently K-9 Resorts and Luxury Hotel was featured on mycentraljersey.com for their help in caring for the Scotch Plains K-9 unit.

"Fanwood luxury canine care center partners with Scotch Plains police to pamper patrol pooches"

BY: MARK SPIVEY

SCOTCH PLAINS- One of the unique features of the Scotch Plains Police Department K-9 unit is that when the officers go on vacation, their canine partners do, too.

It's not like Gamble, 6, and Ollie, 4, hop on a plane with their police handlers, Chris Aversa and Brian Cheney, though. They just travel around the corner to the K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in neighboring Fanwood- a local business that has pulled out all the stops to offer financial and logistical support to one of a select few municipal K-9 units in Central Jersey.

Click here to read more.

21 Reasons A Dog Is the Best Investment You Will Ever Make

Did you have a long week? You've made it to Friday and you're almost to that final commute home for the week. When you get home, you'll walk in the house, look in the fridge, decide that you'd rather order takeout than put anything in a pan before you sit down on the sofa and turn off your brain until you climb the stairs to bed. Week after week this has been your routine.

Maybe it's time to shake things up. Maybe it's time to invest.

The Huffington Post has 21 reasons why that investment should be a dog, and we couldn't agree more.

Click HERE to learn why. 

Separation Anxiety

It's sad to think the pets that bring us so much happiness could ever feel blue. 

However, Veterinarian clinics report that approximately 14% of dogs seen are suspected to suffer from separation anxiety. Since canines are naturally social animals, it's no surprise that many develop increased attachment behavior to their human family members.The onset of these problems often coincide when there is a dramatic change in the amount of time the owner spends with a pet. Symptoms of separation anxiety can include increased activities like restlessness, pacing, and whining when the owner is not present. Depression and physiological changes such as panting or even vomiting can occur. But short of never leaving your pet's side, how can you avoid increased anxieties in your furry friend?

Professionals report that medications should only be used in extreme cases, and there are many things owners can do to avoid serious situations. Ignoring attention seeking behaviors such as whining and nudging during training is important. Certain departure cues such as picking up keys and purses, or putting on coats and shoes should also be kept as low key as possible or even done in a different room until a pet is desensitized to these cues. Creating a big to-do when leaving a dog at home is common in humans, but this can increase the likeliness of anxieties in pets. 

Upon returning, you of course want to play with your dog immediately, but it can be very helpful to wait until your pet has calmed down a bit to begin playtime. 

K9 Resorts' Doggie Daycare is a “cage-free” environment, designed for dogs that are social with other dogs. Daycare provides an outlet to expend excess energy, socialize, exercise and remain active. Dogs are social animals that need exercise and stimulation, and Doggie Daycare is the best way to provide both! While it is just great fun, this exercise helps curb behavior problems like separation anxiety. Consider bringing your dog to our Doggie Daycare and see if it helps with those canine blues!

Pets a Threat to Gadgets?

TIME recently reported that pets may be a threat to the safety and longevity of your gadgets. Is anyone surprised? Most of you probably have a story of at least a close-call between your dog and an iPad or cell phone.

Eight million electronic devices are harmed by pets each year according to a study sponsored by SquareTrade Inc, a San Francisco company that sells extended warranty plans for consumer electronics. Since you've probably been through several in the past year regardless of your pet's involvement, you won't be surprised to hear that mobiles make up one-third of all devices vandalized by furry friends.

SquareTrade made a few more interesting finds:

• Incidents happened 66% of the time when pets were left alone with the devices in question.
• 17% of the incidents happened when owners believed their pets were "angry" with them.
• Males pets were 50% more likely to damage a device than female pets. 
• Overprotective pets were twice as likely to damage a device. 

Of course, SquareTrade wants you to buy an extended warranty, so their stats include even a lick from your pet, but the study does remind pet owners to be a little more careful with their electronic devices. 

An Unlikely Group

At K9 Resorts, we pride ourselves in being able to accommodate any sized dog with equal love and care, from Great Danes to Chihuahuas. We thought we had seen it all until we came across this video on YouTube of one of the most diverse groups of pets we've ever seen. Sure, a large breed and small breed are not so uncommon in a house. Five dogs? Sure, a little more uncommon, but still not an unheard of mix. Even adding an aloof cat to the group is understandable. Throw in a duck who responds to his name just as alertly as the canines, and suddenly, we're speechless.

Check out this video from Erica Griffith who writes about her pets:

Macho - 8 Year old Toy Xolo

Rex - 11 Year old terrier something

Maya - 7-10 Year old Intermediate Xolo

Dave - 3 Year old standard size Xolo

Bella - 1.5 Year old Harlequin Great Dane

George - 1 Year old female Moscovy Duck

Twiggy - 5 year old Cat

If you are thinking about adding a pet (or another pet) to your family, please look into adoption from either a shelter or a reputable rescue group. You can find lots of animals and rescue groups that will fit exactly what you're looking for at petfinder.com That's what I did :)

Franchisee Spotlight: Bill Ippolito

Bill Ippolito is a New Jersey native with a background in medicine. Having been a physician assistant for the past 10 years, Bill has now transitioned into the corporate world, where he has decided to open a K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Bill is lifelong dog owner and new a dad.  

How did you learn about the brand?

My girlfriend’s (Larisa Citsay- who will be helping me run the business) brother is friends with Jason and Steven Parker, the co-founders of K-9 Resorts.  Their entrepreneurial accomplishments at such a young age really inspired me to invest in opening my own K-9 Resorts.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

I am currently a physician assistant, so the business world is somewhat new to me. I knew as a franchisee owner, I would get great help with the process and have instant support on day one and well into the future. 

What makes your business different?

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is a very well organized and clean facility. Cleanliness is very important for pet owners. K-9 Resorts doesn’t have a distinct pet odor, is incredibly clean and runs efficiently. It is the perfect option for people who need a safe, comfortable place to leave their pets. K-9 Resorts is also a very young franchise, and I am very confident that it will be successful. I thought it would be best to get in early and help them grow.

I have also been a physician assistant for the past 10 years and decided to do something I was truly passionate about.  The career change is an exciting adventure.

What are your expansion or development plans?

Once we open this location, I would love to be able to open a second location in the near future. I am confident in success of this business.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I love dogs. I grew up with a yellow lab and now I have a 5 year old Rottweiler. I am also a new dad! I have a 9 month old son, who consumes a lot of my time. I also enjoy exercising, sports and cars.  

Middletown Grand Opening

K9 Resorts in Middletown, New Jersey will be holding its Grand Opening this Sunday, June 9. The newest K9 Resorts is located at 889 Route 25.

Please join owners Dan and Lisa Cody from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. to tour the new facility and meet the team. However, if you are unable to attend the Grand Opening, feel free to call the location to schedule a tour for any other day of the week during business hours by calling 732-671-0948.

Click HERE for more information about the Middletown location, including business hours and detailed directions.

Franchisee Spotlight: Andy and Darcie Lubalin

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Andy Lubalin went to Penn State University earning a degree in economics, with a minor in business administration in 1995. He met his wife Darcie at college and they relocated back to New Jersey. He worked at Hertz Equipment Rental for two years. Andy then worked for 15 years as a consultant at CSC Corporation as a Software Developer, and ended up as a Business Manager assigned to a major brokerage firm. His job duties required a lot of travel, to the point where he would be gone weeks at a time and missed the first moments of his kids’ lives. 

Having known K-9 Resorts’ founders Steven and Jason Parker when they were neighborhood dog sitters back in the day, Andy’s passion led him to K-9 and is the first franchisee in the network. As the #1 rated pet care service in all of New Jersey, Andy couldn’t be happier. Andy and Darcie live about a mile from the original K-9 store and became owners because of their high admiration of the franchise and its genuine line of work.

How did you learn about the brand?

Andy: It’s been three years in the making. I knew I wanted to work with dogs when I was going through my career transition and came back to K-9 when I made the decision to make a change.  I signed in the summer of 2011 and it took a full year to find the best location when we found it in the summer of 2012.

Jason Parker: Andy is our first franchisee, so this is very much our first rodeo working out the kinks to find the right location. We went through a bit of a challenge at first, but found a really good location advisor. Working with Larry Barto has been great. We have 13 locations including this one. This will be the first franchise location, with the original corporate location opening in 2005.

Why did you choose an opportunity with K-9 Resorts?

I’ve known the Parkers since they were in high school. We moved into the area, and they were our dog walkers, so I had the history with them. Their level of customer service was through the roof, especially for kids that age. They understood the value of relationships so I always had a positive opinion of them.

Five years went by and I knew they had since opened K-9 Resorts but had yet to take a tour. After doing the tour, I went in to meet with them and knew it was the right fit for me. It was immaculate. I didn't smell anything, didn't hear anything. Plus, I feel we saw eye-to-eye on life and the big picture, so the corporate culture was the icing on the cake.

Describe the location and demographics of the area.

The location is in a high income, densely populated area with a high pet index. The national average is a score of 100, but in this area, it’s nearly 300. In addition, the location on Bloomfield Avenue happens to be next to the only 24-hour animal emergency hospital in the area.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We just served as the largest sponsor for the Dress for Success's Ad Journal, an organization that helps women in difficult situations get back on their feet.

Jason: We reserve a certain portion of money per year for philanthropy and support in the community; that is something the brand as a whole believes in.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

There’s a certain stigma that boarding rooms are loud, smelly and dirty. On some level, this is true, so part of our job is to educate people on great places such as K-9 that do have state-of-the-art materials and are really clean.

How many employees will you have when you start out?

We will have four up-front and four in the back.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with K-9 Resorts?

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that we will expand. We have a location, but I can’t think about that until at least after this summer because I have to show this is going to be a money maker.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I have two kids so enjoy coaching my kids’ and being with my family. I enjoy playing sports myself.

Grand Opening in Fairfield, NJ

K9 Resorts recently celebrated our grand opening in Fairfield, NJ! We would like to congratulate new owners Andy and Darcie Lubalin, as well as thank the hundreds of new customers who came out to celebrate with us. Though there was rain, the sun was certainly shining upon the many smiling faces!

Here are some photos of the amazing day:

Franchise Owners Andy & Darcie Lubalin celebrate the Grand Opening of K9 Resorts of Fairfield, NJ

Hundreds of new customers come out to see the new K9 Resorts facility!

Bouncy House for family fun!

Face paintin

Front view of K9 Resorts of Fairfield! 

Co-Founder Jason Parker giving tours to eager guests

All front desk staff taking reservations and creating new client accounts

Cutting the ribbon!

Creating new client accounts

K9 Resorts Featured on FIOS1 News

K-9 Resorts was featured on FIOS1 News  in a segment titled, "K-9 Resorts Offer Luxury Lifestyle to Four-Legged Clients".

In the segment, Long Island K-9 Resorts owner Earl Blasi spoke about why he decided to open a K-9 Resorts and how he is looking at this business as a passion. Founder Jason Parker discussed why Long Island is a good market for the brand. 

Click HERE to view the segment on FIOS1's website or use the link below:


K-9 Resorts Offer Luxury Lifestyle to Four-Legged Clients

Trooper Takes the Prize, Fairfield Almost Finished

K9 Resorts has announced a winner in their most recent Facebook competition, "They're Just Like Us".

The winner is Trooper, a rescue dog who resides with his owner Saleena G. in Springfield, NJ. Trooper took the lead early in the competition and never looked back. Who could resist voting for a dog in a purple velvet jacket with zebra print lining? We believe it was the matching hat that pushed Trooper to the prize of a $150 Visa gift card. That's sure to buy a lot of milk bones for this cultured canine.

Trooper isn't the only new thing in New Jersey. K9 Resorts also posted photos from their new Fairfield location scheduled to open soon. Check out those sparkling hallways, and a sign that's sure to sparkle once the rain passes:

Franchisee Spotlight: Teresa DeSousa and Ivan Kaplan

Teresa holds a Bachelor’s degree in both sociology and history, and held a position as Director of Human Resources for a small consulting firm before realizing she wanted to start her own small business. Teresa is a big animal lover, and the chance to open up an animal-oriented business appealed to her and her business partner Ivan.

Ivan has been a lawyer since 1991, and decided to leave law to pursue a business that coincides with his love for animals. After 20 years of law practice, he decided to take his life down a different career path. 

How did you learn about the brand? Why did you choose the brand?

Ivan lives close to the franchise headquarters and saw a billboard for the K9 franchise. We were discussing doggy daycare options because, let’s be honest, who wouldn't want to play with dogs all day? I knew what I wanted and what I expected as an owner, and wanted to make that dream a reality.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A franchise allows you the freedom of owning your own business, while utilizing a model. I don’t have to recreate anything, but K-9 is specifically great because the owners are open to suggestions. There is room for give and take, and franchising in general is a smart thing to do. I wasn't thinking about buying into a franchise initially, however once I received more information, I knew this is what we wanted to do.  

What makes your business different?

K9 is a great location for dogs and it is known for its cleanliness. It’s a different experience for customers and their animals; it’s more of a spa experience. We don’t want these dogs left in cages all day; the animals should be taken care of well. It’s horrible when places isolate the dogs they’re boarding.

How do you connect with the local community through your business?

We want to give back to the community so one of the things we would like to do is work with developmentally challenged individuals who can receive therapy and socialization from working with dogs. Whether it be watching or feeding the animals, the act of spending time with dogs can be very therapeutic and nurturing. We will also get involved with civic community activities, as well as fundraising. We will work with the police and fire department for raising awareness on safety.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

The uncertainty of opening up a new business is always a struggle. I had to quit my job and do temporary work so I had the time to start K9. There is a huge learning curve and a lot of involvement with architects, engineers, general contractors, and electricians. These things are new to me, as I've worked in corporate most of my career.

What are your expansion or development plans?

We would like to get this one off the ground first. Perhaps in the future we will open more locations.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I’m a huge fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, and I also love to travel.

They're Just Like Us Moves to Voting

K-9 Resort's Facebook fan contest "They're Just Like Us" have moved to voting. The top thirteen entries are now competing for the top prize of a $150 Visa gift card.

The contest is aimed at a pet's ability to act just like a human. Fans have submitted photos featuring their pets doing everything from sitting behind the wheel to watching March Madness from the recliner. The early leader in the contest is Trooper, a rescue dog, submitted by his owner Saleena G. of Springfield, NJ. Trooper is sporting a festive outfit of purple velvet and zebra print.

Fans can vote every 24 hours for their favorite pet. Click HERE to vote and be part of the contest!

Getting Ready for Opening

Featured from L to R are new owners Darcie and Andy Lubalin, Mayor James Gasparini of Fairfield, and founders Jason Parker and Steven Parker

We've broken ground in Fairfield, NJ!

"After a long journey, Darcie and I are thrilled to be opening our location in Fairfield this May! We can't believe we are almost ready. Please spread the word to everyone in the area. We'll see you next month!" - Andy Lubalin

From L to R: Lisa Cody from K-9 Resorts of Middletown, Robin Bennett, Andy Lubalin from K-9 Resorts of Fairfield and Susan Lubalin From K-9 Resorts of Fairfield.

Nationally renowned doggie daycare expert, author and highly sought-after speaker, Robin Bennett, CPDT at K-9 Resorts of Fanwood trained franchisees as their franchise locations in Middletown and Fairfield, NJ prepare to open next month.

K-9 Resorts Featured on Pet Life Radio

K-9 Resorts was recently featured on Pet Life Radio’s Six Figure Dog Business in a segment titled, "America's Youngest Franchisers Share Their Secrets".

In the segment designed for current and prospective pet business owners, founders Jason and Steven Parker spoke about their story, what marketing and business development initiatives they have used to become successful, and the opportunity in the pet care industry.

Click HERE to listen to the full segment or begin reading the synopsis below:

America's Youngest Franchisers Share Their Secrets

You read that correctly.  America's youngest franchisers are in the pet industry....and they are blowing up.  Steven and Jason Parker of K-9 Resorts have been franchising their award winning pet hotels for only two years and territories are being gobbled up.  People looking to get into the pet care industry realize these brothers have figured out a system for bringing in the revenue, taking care of customers, and running a successful company.

In this episode these brothers are going to share three of their biggest marketing strategies that have helped propel them to such big success at such a young age.  What's best is that most of what they share is not being done in the pet industry.  If you want to learn from some industry leaders and put some distance in between you and your competitors then this is the show for you.

Franchise With K-9 Resorts!

Have you ever thought about owning a business? Think of how great it would be to be your own boss. When you buy into a franchise, you're buying into a proven business model without having to worry about all the stress that comes with a start-up. At K-9 Resorts, we have the tools you need to get started.

Today, one out of every three dollars spent by Americans for a good or service is spent in a franchise business.  A franchise increases your chances of business success because you are associating with proven products and methods. Purchasing a K-9 Resorts franchise allows you to be in business for yourself but not by yourself.  You will benefit from our 14+ years of success and proven track record in the pet care industry.  K-9 Resorts is the only pet care facility in New Jersey that is rated #1 by multiple major publications; that means we’re the best!  Don’t you want to learn from the best?

Brand Awareness

K-9 Resorts is the only facility in New Jersey that is rated #1 by multiple major publications.

The System

Our proven system works and will allow you to follow a proven track record and avoid the mistakes associated with starting a business on your own.  K-9 Resorts can offer you a level of support unmatched by others.

Economies of Scale

If you’re a single entrepreneur, you have the buying power of one.  If you’re a franchisee, your franchisor can negotiate bulk rates and pass along the savings to you.

Financing

Most new businesses require start-up capital, regardless of whether you franchise or not.  While most franchisors do not supply financing, we have relationships with lenders who will view that brand’s referrals more favorably than an independent business owner just starting out.

Marketing

We know what works and what doesn’t work.  With the help of K-9 Resorts Marketing Team, more of your advertising dollar is spent on advertising that has been proven to be successful.

Speed to Market

You can build the most beautiful dog boarding facility and fill it with the most expensive equipment.  That takes time as well as money.  Or, you can sign up with a franchisor who has done this before and be handed a shopping list of exactly what you need to set up shop, allowing you to open for business more quickly than if you had to research it all on your own.

Training

We offer extensive training in every aspect of running your business.  We cover everything from caring for pets to training new employees, from running a doggy daycare to purchasing supplies for your business. Our training program is designed with both classroom learning and practical training in a K-9 Resort to provide you with all the information and tools needed to run your business.

Support

We are here to support you as you begin your dream of owning your own business.  Our support begins the moment you sign your franchise agreement.  We work with you to help you select and secure the best site, obtain your financing and build out the location.  We will continue to support you as you open and grow your business.  Consistent communication and visits to your resort will be made by our team to provide business coaching, plan marketing, assist with employee development and create new strategies to build your sales.

Customer Satisfaction

K9 Resorts is off to a great start on the business side of 2013, but we're also thrilled with how our customers have been responding to their experiences. 

Here is just a sample of all the great things we've been hearing on our Facebook page:

Kathy Burkhour: "I never left my dogs in a kennel before. But last December I broke down and left my pup at K9 Resorts. She loved it! Last week she spend 4 nights there and the experience was A+"

Ana Carolina: "This is my first time leaving my dogs in a day care center, and chose k9 Resorts. The experience is starting good, both receptionists are cordial, nice, respectful. It gives me a lot of confidence!!!"

Dr. Anant V. Joshi, DVM: Hello all at the K9 Resorts! I visited your place a few days ago and found it to be immaculate, friendly and a perfect place for the dogs to socialize during your day care activities.

We're looking forward to continuing exceeding customer expectations! 

K-9 Resorts Featured on NBC12 News!

K-9 Resorts was recently featured on NBC12 News in an article titled, "K-9 Resorts Daycare and Luxury Hotel On Path for Groundbreaking 2013".

The article speaks about the busy year K-9 Resorts had with 8 new openings in 2012 and they're planned growth for the coming year. Founders Steven and Jason Parker report that there are 3 planned openings in New Jersey alone, with 6 total openings by year end. The article also speaks of the huge wave of interested franchisees K-9 Resorts has received due to recent appearances on CNN Money and Fox News.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel On Path for Groundbreaking 2013

After a whirlwind year in 2012, K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel (K-9 Resorts) signed eight franchises on the east coast. The one-of-a-kind daycare and overnight boarding facility for dogs expects to have two of its first franchise locations open by May 2013.

“We’ve already broken ground (on our franchise location) in Middletown, New Jersey and in Fairfield, New Jersey,” said Steven Parker, Co-founder of K-9 Resorts. Steven, along with co-founder and brother Jason, presented Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger of Middletown with a $500 donation during the groundbreaking ceremony for the shores’ first K-9 Resort. The donation will be used towards the Hurricane Sandy relief fund, for the aid in repairing the millions of dollars in damage the area sustained in October during Hurricane Sandy.

They're Just Like Us!

K9 Resorts is excited to launch a new contest on Monday, March 4, titled "They're Just Like Us!"

The contest will be run via the official Facebook page of K9 Resorts. Fans of the page will be asked to submit photos or videos of their pets in real-life human situations, be it dressed up in formal wear or sitting at the computer. Submissions will be accepted through the month of March and then the entries will be faced by the public!

K9 Resorts will ask its fans to vote for their favorite photo of the pet that really is just like us, and the winner after a three-week voting period will receive a $150 Visa gift card.

If you have think your pet has the human gusto it takes to win, be sure to check out the K9 Resorts Facebook page by clicking HERE.

Oh No, Where'd You Go?

Veterinarian clinics report that approximately 14% of dogs seen are suspected to suffer from separation anxiety. Since canines are very social animals, it's no surprise that many develop increased attachment behavior to their human family members. The onset of these problems often coincide when there is a dramatic change in the amount of time the owner spends with a pet. Symptoms can include increased activities like restlessness, pacing, and whining when the owner is not present. Depression and physiological changes such as panting or even vomiting can occur. But short of never leaving your pet's side, how can you avoid increased anxieties in your furry friend?

Professionals report that medications should only be used in extreme cases, and there are many things owners can do to avoid serious situations. Ignoring attention seeking behaviors such as whining and nudging during training is important. Certain departure cues such as picking up keys and purses, or putting on coats and shoes should also be kept as low key as possible. Creating a big to-do when leaving a dog at home is common in humans, but this can increase the likeliness of anxieties in pets. Until a dog is desensitized to those cues, it's helpful to do them in another room or while the dog is distracted with a special toy.

Upon returning, you of course want to play with your dog immediately, but it can be very helpful to wait until your pet has calmed down to begin playtime. 

Leaving your pets behind isn't easy for anyone whether it be an hour or a day, but creating and maintaining a normal and low-key routine can make it easier on everyone. K9 Resorts can help when you leave for an extended vacation to give your pet the same amount of attention and love that you do at home in our beautiful accommodations to ensure your pets stays happy through your absence and are ready for your return. 

Pet Trends Turn to Acupuncture

The past decades have indeed seen a huge increase in the amount of care and money that is spent on pets in the United States. But going beyond the boarding, diets, and designer threads, the newest trend for pets seems to be in human medicine. In fact, beyond traditional approaches to therapy, owners have begun exploring alternative therapies. Namely, acupuncture. ABC's Nightline recently ran a feature on the new trend.

Sessions ring in around $100 per visit three times per week, but doctors say that's a small price to pay for something you care about most. Owners report that even though their pets, of course, may not be able to speak for their results, they do see a difference in pet behavior. One owner even reported that pet acupuncture saved his dachshund's life. 

Still, all agree that the best medicine for any pet is free: TLC. 

To read Nightline's full article and view the video feature, click HERE or view the video feature below:

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Westminster Dog Show Will Go On

The Westminster Kennel Club is hoping that the impending winter storm indeed moves beyond the New York area by mid-Saturday as predicted. WKC released this statement on their website:

"Westminster is fully informed about the impending storm but all reports indicate that the storm will move out by Saturday afternoon. So, in the tradition of all good dog shows, the show will go on."

The world famous show is in its 137th edition, and this year, will take place at two locations in Manhattan. The Best in Show will be crowned, as tradition has it, at the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. However, new in 2013, the breed judging will be moved to Piers 92/94 on the West side of Manhattan.

The DAILY NEWS ran a story of the preview that happened this past Thursday at the New Yorker hotel, which held touching moments as survivors of Hurricane Sandy strutted their stuff proudly down the runway. Owners shared many inspiring stories, having to lead their pets down countless flights of stairs in complete darkness, some still not having been able to return to their homes since. To read the full story, click HERE.

Canines featured at the show this Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 11-12) have surely shared in an abundance of weather related setbacks. We wish them all the best and safest travels as they come to compete for the crown.

K9 Resorts featured on Fox Business News!

The segment was titled "Give Your Pets a Luxury Vacation" and aired live on January 28^th.  The Parker brothers, K-9 Resorts founders, were live in-studio. The six minute segment featured the history of K-9 Resorts, the services they offer and the plans for future development. Steven and Jason did a great job explaining their passion for the industry and the growth the franchise along the east coast. 

Check out the segment HERE.

The segment also gained a feature in an article within the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch. Begin reading the article below or click HERE for the full article.

Owners of K-9 Resorts In Fanwood Featured on Fox Business News

Residents of Scotch Plains, Jason and Steven Parker who own K-9 Resorts in Fanwood were featured on Fox Business News on Jan. 29.

By: Nicole Bitette 

Earlier today, Jason and Steven Parker of Scotch Plains were featured on Fox Business News to discuss their business, K-9 Resort Daycare and Luxury Hotel located in Fanwood.

The brothers, who Patch previously reported were in the process of franchising out locations, told Fox Business News that they are closing the ninth franchising deal this Friday and the 10^th deal next month.