- Business Name: Waggin' Tails Pet Ranch
- Location: Fulshear, TX
Waggin' Tails Pet Ranch has been named the Southwest and South Central regional finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's America’s Top Small Business Awards.
Waggin’ Tails Pet Ranch is a family-owned business that has been serving the local community’s cats and dogs with an all-inclusive pet resort since 2005. With a mission to provide comprehensive pet care services, Waggin’ Tails has become a beloved destination for pet owners looking for boarding, grooming, day camp, pet boutique, and training services. The ranch’s commitment to excellence has resulted in steady growth, gaining 55 employees and numerous accolades and recognition.
3 things that made Waggin' Tails Pet Ranch a finalist for America's Top Small Business:
It’s a one-of-a-kind business offering an expansive list of pet services
Located in Fulshear, Texas, Waggin’ Tails Pet Ranch is a unique pet resort nestled on a 15-acre property just outside of Houston. This all-inclusive haven for pets, which has since expanded with a second location in 2020, offers a range of services and provides 22 play yards spread across four acres, complete with a bone-shaped in-ground swimming pool and a filtered pond.
The resort’s success, marked by its continuous waitlist during summers and holidays, is attributed to its dedicated staff, strong community engagement, and genuine passion for the pet business.
Waggin’ Tails' commitment to excellence has been recognized through various awards, including the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year award and the Better Business Bureau's Award for Excellence. Boasting an impressive 4.7 rating from the latter, the pet resort has evolved into a beloved neighborhood favorite over the years.
It offers a tailored, personable experience for pets and their owners
When Denise Einkauf, owner and president, made the decision to get into the pet services industry, her goal was to offer an alternative to the standard cage boarding offered at vet clinics and other facilities. These tailored services were not offered in the area before Waggin’ Tails' inception nearly two decades ago. Waggin’ Tails Pet Ranch prides itself on its off-leash group play offerings in an outdoor pet ranch setting, giving pets the opportunity to play, run, and socialize as if they were at home.
Waggin’ Tails Pet Ranch prides itself in community engagement and support by actively participating in local organizations, donating to school auctions, and partnering with charities. This community-centered approach has helped build a positive reputation for the facility.
When it comes to training employees, Waggin’ Tails is unique in that it provides comprehensive training programs, including pet care education, customer service based on respected models like the Ritz Carlton, and the “Knowing Dogs” program, which teaches all aspects of pet care within the facility from cleaning dog runs (an indoor enclosure that allows pets to run and play in a safe environment) to bathing a dog. By training staff in these areas, the resort builds trust with its clients.
Waggin’ Tails recently introduced “Canine Good Citizen” classes that not only help enhance the resort’s extensive service offerings but give clients the opportunity to certify their dogs as Canine Good Citizens and even progress to become therapy dogs. This initiative has generated additional revenue and has also fostered a sense of achievement and pride among pet owners.
It’s committed to partnering with charities and creating jobs for the local economy
Waggin’ Tails Pet Ranch prides itself in community engagement and support by actively participating in local organizations, donating to school auctions, and partnering with multiple local charities including a local hospitality house that provides free housing for patients with terminal illnesses and their families that travel to the medical center in Houston. Waggin’ Tails offers free boarding for all pets of these guests providing over $200,000 worth of services to date. This is the only partnership of its kind in the nation. This community-centered approach has helped build a positive reputation for the facility.
As one of the largest employers in Fulshear, Waggin’ Tails plays a crucial role in job creation and economic growth — which substantially contributes to its local economy. By partnering with nearby high schools and career centers, it is able to provide internships for those aspiring to become pet industry professionals and nurture future talent to advance the workforce.
Despite significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Waggin’ Tails managed to retain all of its employees through grants and other loans. The resort shifted strategies to include online training classes and expanded training offerings for puppies, demonstrating an enthusiastic approach to any challenges that may come its way.
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