Happy Tails Pet Resort - Cedar Park

Happy Tails Pet Resort - Cedar Park

By Susan VanDeWater Tuesday, 07 November 2006

Animal resort offers luxurious boarding for pets

The staff of Happy Tails Pet Resort doesn’t really consider what they do to be work. “The animals who board here become like our own pets,” said Debra May, who owns Happy Tails along with her husband Dr. Jeffrey May, DVM. “We give our animals a little extra care because we feel like they’re part of our family.”

Happy Tails, located at 509 Cypress Creek, provides short- and long-term boarding services for the area’s canine and feline populations, as well as doggy day care. The idea for the kennel grew out of Dr. May’s veterinary practice, Crossing Animal Clinic. “He knew there was a need for this kind of service in the area,” Debra said. “It serves as a nice complement to his practice.”

The pet resort, which opened in November 2001, has the capability to board 200 dogs and 50 cats. Happy Tails accepts small or large dogs and offers indoor/outdoor suites or luxury suites with ceiling fans, televisions, four-poster beds and web cams.

The cattery offers three different levels of comfort for cats, including regular condos, extra-large condos and large-window condos. Each condo has an “ocean-front view” thanks to the 200-gallon fish tank located in the center of the room. All luxury boarding packages include activity time, but clients also can purchase play time for their pets.

“We offer playtime for compatible dogs in our outdoor grass courtyard, as well as one-on-one attention sessions,” May said. “We also offer doggy break time, which gives dogs some alone time in the courtyard.”

Cats also can receive special attention through the purchase of a TLC package, which provides 15-20 minutes of individual attention.

Other optional services include vaccinations and veterinary exams with Dr. May and grooming at the neighboring Two Chicks Grooming.

Debra, who has two dogs of her own, Trooper and Ranger, attributes the kennel’s success to its dedicated and caring staff.

“We have a great staff who loves the clients and the animals that stay here,” she said. “They spend as much time as they can with each animal and provide lots of extra attention.”

Debra plans to continue growing the business, hopefully adding obedience training and other services at some point in the future.

“We work hard to make the animals feel at home when they’re with us,” she said.

Debra May’s advice for boarding your pet:

• Tour the facility. Ask lots of questions and go with your gut – how do you like the place? Ask friends where they board their pets.
• Follow these steps to ease your animal’s, and your own, stress at the kennel:
  • Bring something from home with your scent
  • Bring along a favorite toy
  • Tell the kennel everything about your pet, including phobias or sensitivities
  • Make sure the kennel is aware of any medical issues

Happy Tails Pet Resort, 509 Cypress Creek • 258-2464