NEW TIMES What is the Kennels of Springdale?

MCKINNIE We are a pet resort, but we also provide training for people seeking it for their pets. We have 85 kennels, six play yards, and over half of our runs have radiant heating in the floors, which keeps the animals nice and warm, especially in the winter.

NEW TIMES What type of training do you provide?

MCKINNIE We have a trainer onsite, and we also have the assistance of a trainer with over 30 years of experience, Ken Brown, who also works with Woods. We provide classes in basic obedience and basic agility.

NEW TIMES What type of clients do you typically have?

MCKINNIE We get a lot of tourists that are staying in local hotels that don’t allow dogs, but our main client base is from Nipomo to San Luis Obispo. We take in dogs from as far south as Santa Maria and as far north as Paso Robles. We get dogs from as little as three pounds all the way up to 200 pounds, I believe is our largest.

NEW TIMES How many employees do you have onsite?

MCKINNIE We never have more than 25 dogs for each employee that’s here. We have a couple long-term payroll employees and several part-time Cal Poly animal science students. We only hire people who love animals.

NEW TIMES Your facility has been open for five years now. Are you happy with the way things have gone so far?

MCKINNIE For the most part, yes. The economy has slumped and so has people’s vacation, but we have a wide variety of wonderful clients and dogs, and overall it has been a treat. We want to keep doing what we are doing and expand our daycare practice as well as expand our training. People tell us that when their dogs recognize where they are going, they bounce around and get excited, and that’s what we strive for. ∆