The logo and namesake are based on owner and General Manager Ken Jenkines’ dog, Buddy. Co-owner Clay Kutscher owned the land, and the two realized that there was a need in the area for a boarding facility and opened in July 2019.
Jenkines researched and knew he wanted to steer away from traditional cage facilities and have both indoor and outdoor runs for dogs.
“I know some places that, when you take your dog, they put them in a cage and they don’t really get out. They may take them to the bathroom, but that’s it, and I don’t like that concept because I’ve owned a lot of dogs my whole life,” he said.
The facility has separate rooms for cats and 50 kennels for dogs, which can hold multiple from the same family.Though the majority of its time open has been during the pandemic, manager Stephanie Hayden said the hardest part of the job is the attachment to the animals.
“Our regular clients, we get used to seeing them all the time. We do get attached ... and then we get the call or the bad news that they passed away, so that’s hard,” she said.
Despite the heartache, the staff do what they can to help others in need and work with Hunter’s Hope Rescue, a nonprofit based out of Ohio, to give animals a second chance.
My Buddy’s Pet Resort fosters dogs on kill lists at various animal shelters until they can be adopted or fostered long term.
They said the best part of the job for them is the joy on the dogs’ faces when they’re outside, playing and go home tired at the end of the day.
My Buddy's Pet Resort
177 Coachman Dr., San Marcos 512-667-7334. www.mybuddyspetresort.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-1 p.m., 4-6 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun. 4-6 p.m.
