A rendering of the façade at 644 W. Lancaster Ave. next to Braxton’s Animal Works. The new facility will house one of the larger K9 Resorts in the country.
Here’s a use for an old Rite Aid we didn’t see coming: a Ritz Carlton for dogs.
When it opens around Labor Day, K9 Resorts Pet Hotel and Dog Daycare near the Devon Square Acme will span nearly 15,000 sq. feet (inside and out) and accommodate more than 100 dogs.
Franchise owners are 17-year Wayne residents and lifelong dog lovers Chris and Marnie Kulp who saw an opportunity to bring best-in-class facilities to the heart of the Main Line.
Dog owners had fewer boarding options after many local vets closed their kennels during COVID, Chris Kulp tells SAVVY. And locals were routinely driving at least a half hour for higher-end pet care, he says. “Devon and Wayne are vibrant communities where families treat their dogs as true members of their families. K9 Resorts is everything we’d want for our own dogs. We’re thrilled to bring it here.”
The first thing you’ll notice at check-in, Kulp says, is the absence of that telltale kennel smell, thanks to K9’s hospital-grade filtration system and spotless sanitation.
The chain’s hotel-like reception areas have chandeliers and wainscoting.
Instead of cramped cages, dogs will stay in sound-resistant rooms appointed with luxury bedding and dine on veterinarian-approved Blue Buffalo food.
Spring for a more spacious “suite” and DogTV will keep Fido company.
Boarders will romp on fields of anti-microbial K9 Grass. But if your pooch is too shy or old, simply request a private play area.
“We’re all about customizing the experience,” Kulp explains.
A typical K9 Resorts courtyard. The Wayne location will have fenced yards for small/medium breeds, large breeds and private play. With no homes in the immediate area, noise won’t bother neighbors, says franchisee Chris Kulp.
To ensure your furry friend hops out of the car with his tail wagging, K9 Pet Resorts won’t offer grooming or nail-clipping – nothing that could cause a negative association with his new home-away-from-home.
Staff training programs are modeled after those at Disney and the Ritz Carlton, according to Kulp. Indeed, a number of managers started in the human hospitality field.
The Wayne location is one of 170+ K9 Resorts open or in development across the U.S. A smaller K9 Resorts opened in Malvern in 2019.
