Why this ‘crazy dog lady’ is expanding her company to help pet owners in the Northland
From grooming anxious puppies to overnight pet sitting, caring for pets on wedding days and looking after farm animals, a local pet services business is expanding its reach in the Northland later this year.
For the first time since opening eight years ago, Katie’s Kennel is coming to Parkville this summer to provide pet owners a variety of customizable services, including dog walking, pet play dates and in-home care, with a goal to begin serving clients by August.
“(Parkville) has blown up so much, and with the demand that we’ve had from clients, we figured now’s a great time to try to launch a team in the area,” owner Katie Moore said.
Moore founded Katie’s Kennel in 2018 after she began walking dogs during her lunch breaks while working as a dental assistant.
“I was just kind of in a spot where I wanted to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life, and I was encouraged to start walking and pet sitting dogs on the side,” she said. “I’ve always been a crazy dog lady, and I just, I really loved it.”
Eventually, the side gig turned into a full-time job, leading her to hire her first team member.
Since then, Katie’s Kennel, operated nearly entirely by women, has grown to around 50 employees and serves communities across the metro, extending from Stillwell to Gladstone and dipping into Johnson County.
“It’s been really cool to see over the last eight years just how everything has come together and blossomed and given us opportunities to grow and expand like this,” Moore said. “It feels really special.”
Pet sitting and dog walking
Katie’s Kennel has no physical location, primarily bringing their services to the pets they serve.
In Parkville, Moore said they will be offering daily dog walking services between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Saturday, along with overnight pet sitting, which is when a pet sitter stays in the client’s home. Katie’s Kennel will also offer in-home boarding, meaning a client’s dog would stay in a team members’ home, like a “staycation,” Moore said.
Katie’s Kennel even offers options for wedding day services, like transporting pups to and from the wedding venue to ensure the bride and groom can spend the day with their favorite pets.
And, Katie’s Kennel can care for any type of pet, from dogs and cats to bunnies, birds, lizards, chickens and goats.
Training for employees
All employees undergo extensive training with dog trainers, behavioral specialists and veterinary technicians to ensure they know how to safely handle animals, administer medications and provide overall care for a wide variety of pets.
Moore is currently working to hire dog walkers, overnight pet sitters and a manager to lead the Parkville team.
“Our main focus is really hiring people who are passionate about working with animals and are eager to learn,” Moore said.
