Stoney Homestead Kennels provides doggy day care, overnight boarding

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Kayli Bender would love to take care of your dog for a while.

“I’m an animal person, all around. I just love all kinds of animals,” she said. “You just can’t help but love dogs.”

Bender, 21, opened up Stoney Homestead Kennels on Jan. 1, and she said business has been brisk.

“It’s been very good. I have not had a problem getting busy,” Bender said. “It’s such a needed service in our area.”

Located on the family farm home where Bender grew up, Stoney Homestead Kennels provides day care as well as overnight boarding for dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. West of Floyd, the business sits 3 miles north of the Avenue of the Saints, on Lancer Avenue (county road T-38). It’s about 8 miles south of Osage, on the west side of the road.

Bender said her business is a place “for your dog to be loved on and cared for when you are away, whether that’s an overnight stay or during our daytime day care services.”

Interested dog owners can find more information on the business’s Facebook page. The facility provides separate areas for big dogs and little dogs, and separate runs for them. Bender guessed that there was room to house somewhere between 30 to 35 dogs, if necessary.

“The dogs get out 7-8 hours a day, every day,” Bender said. “I live on the premises, so I’m always here and always happy to make accommodations.”

The site is state licensed, insured and Bender is canine-first-aid licensed. Included are multiple-size kennels and raised dog cots and blankets. Costs range from $15 for day care to $25 per night for overnight boarding. The dog owner is expected to provide enough food for the length of stay and proof of vaccinations.

Bender plans to add dog grooming services in the coming months, and is still in the process of learning the procedures for that. Bender studied animal science at Ellsworth Community College for a year, and worked at Camp Dogg, a dog boarding facility in Toeterville.

“I decided I really, really liked that, so I opened my own,” she said.

Bender’s trek to opening up a dog-boarding business likely began about two years ago, when she was finally able to get a dog of her own.

“I always wanted a dog as a kid, but my family — we are not dog people,” she said. “Finally, two years ago I convinced them to get my dog, Jackson.”

She began to seriously look into opening up Stoney Homestead Kennels in August, and had to adhere to state regulations, receive the required inspections and fill out tons of paperwork. She needed to run water, septic and electricity out to the building.

“It was definitely a lot of work, there were so many little details,” Bender said. “I had the idea on Aug. 24, and in 133 days, I had it open.”