Just Like Home...

The first thing you notice as you drive into Just Like Home Kennels is the sprawling acreage ahead of you, which includes an abundance of flowers, softly waving trees of all varieties and the gentle rolling of almost ten acres of property.

Founded in the early 1990s, the staff at Just Like Home Kennels has worked hard to bring the goals and ideals of the kennel back into focus—to create a positive boarding experience for all animals, in a safe, sanitary and loving environment, all the while taking full advantage of the abundance of the land on which the kennel was created.

“We have created a very special place for dogs, cats, birds and even exotics.  And we have something very few, if any, kennels have, and that is ten acres of property on which to create the most positive and stress free boarding environment possible,” so says Heidi Cole, managing partner, who oversees the growth and ongoing improvements of the kennel. 

Heidi Cole has been involved in dogs since the age of five when her mother imported one of the very first Old English Sheepdogs into America from England. She has also raised numerous champion AKC-registered show dogs, including many Best In Show winners. Some reside at Just Like Home Kennels. “I have had a love of animals since I was very young, I grew up in a farm environment although my father drove an hour each way into the city to work.  Our parents believed in raising their children in a rural environment, away from the stresses of the city, surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, sheep and chickens.  I have clear memories of  gathering eggs still warm, being the first one to the barn to find the newborn lambs, watching the barn cats bring their newborn kittens to the porch of the house to eat,  and sitting in a whelping box with newborn puppies crawling all over my lap.”

That love of animals has translated into the development of a kennel where the pets feel as if they are “just like home.”  Just as her parents believed in creating a stress free environment for their children, Heidi and her staff believe in creating the same for each and every animal that comes to Just Like Home Kennels.  “We recognize that being separated from their family can be traumatic for any animal, which is why each animal is treated as the individual it is, and given special attention, love and all things needed to make the boarding experience positive and stress-free."

Just Like Home Kennels has large air-conditioned runs which open to large outdoor runs and even further out to a large paddock for dogs to run and play.  “We are currently creating a secure 2-acre paddock for the more active dogs to run and exercise  We also take special care of our smaller less active dogs who are carefully brought together to have indoor play groups.”  Heidi is looking forward to the completion of a five acre “nature walk” so the dogs can further explore the property’s environment.  A fresh water pond with sandy beach is also in the plans for the future.

Recently Just Like Home Kennels adopted three horses who were destined for a slaughterhouse. “What people don't realize, what I didn't realize, is that these slaughterhouses are no longer legal in the  United States,” says Heidi.   “So ‘kill buyers’ buy these horses at horse auctions and illegally and cruelly transport them across the borders where there are legal slaughterhouses in operation where the meat can be subsequently sold in foreign countries for human consumption.  We rescued a 10 year old ‘off the track’ Thoroughbred named Bimini, a beautiful yearling Chestnut Warm Blood named Chance and a high spirited weaning Quarter Horse filly named Fire and Ice. We are delighted to have these animals on our property to love, care for and raise.”

In addition to a stable for the horses, Just Like Home Kennels provides two kennel buildings with over sixty runs, and two residences which house 24 hour a day management.  “It is important to have management on site,” continues Heidi.  “In addition to being given ample exercise and attention during the day, we do night checks and allow the dogs to go to their outside runs one last time before bedtime. This also gives us the opportunity to do a final safety and health check on each and every animal.

Just Like Home Kennels offers grooming, pick-up and delivery service and early and/or late drop off or pick up.  Pets are also transported for veterinary care if necessary.  “While we are open seven days a week—8:00-6:00 Monday through Friday, Saturday 8:00 - 4:00 and Noon until 4:00 on Sunday---this doesn’t always meet the needs of our clients. And this is the beauty of having managers on site--someone is always available to meet the needs of our clients and their pets.”

Another important goal of Just Like Home Kennels is to become one of  the first “green” or eco-friendly kennels in the country.  “This is important not only for our animals, but also for the environment” says Heidi. “We are explo ring ways to disinfect without harsh chemicals, use all natural shampoos, conditioners, and detergents, and feed only organic dog foods and supplements. We are even looking into creating solar power as a source of energy for the property wherever possible.”

Maybe this goes back to my roots,” concludes Heidi.  “All of our animals were loved and individually treated and cared for in a nature-filled atmosphere.  And I feel that this is our bottom line… taking the treatment of animals back to the basics--love, kindness, healthy care and treatment and sensitivity to their individual needs.  For us, that is the goal we strive to meet every day of the week.

For further information call Just Like Home Kennels at 772-220-4777 or contact us by email