Twenty-five years ago, PetSuites opened its doors with one simple mission: to give pets a loving, safe, and fun home away from home. What started as a single resort in Erlanger, Kentucky has grown into a nationwide family of 94 locations across 23 states, and every step of the journey has been guided by the same passion that inspired our founders from day one.

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re filled with gratitude for the Pet Parents who have entrusted us with their beloved companions, and for the incredible team members who make every tail wag possible. This milestone isn’t just about years; it’s about the millions of joyful moments we’ve shared with pets and the families who love them.

Our Story: Where It All Began

Every great story starts with a little love and a big idea. For PetSuites, that story began in Erlanger, Kentucky, where our first resort opened its doors 25 years ago. Our founders, Joe and Tracy Mason, created PetSuites because they wanted a place where their dog, Elvis, could feel safe, loved, and cared for while they traveled. What started as one resort built around a family’s love for their pet has grown into a nationwide community built around that same passion.

As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, the City of Erlanger named PetSuites their October Business Spotlight, highlighting where it all began. In the video, General Manager Sarah Minges shares how her love for animals shaped her journey and reflects the same passion behind every PetSuites today. Watch their video to Learn how our story began and meet the people that continue to make PetSuites feel like home.

We’re proud to have our story told through the eyes of the team who make PetSuites what it is today. Their compassion, dedication, and love for animals continue to define who we are, a trusted home away from home for pets and Pet Parents everywhere. As we reflect on our beginnings in Erlanger, we’re inspired by how far we’ve come and the shared passion that continues to drive our growth across the country.

Growing Together for 25 Years

From that first Kentucky resort, PetSuites has expanded to 94 locations serving communities across the country, from the Midwest and Southeast to the coasts and beyond. Our growth has always been fueled by one goal: to provide the very best care for pets and their parents.

Over the years, we’ve continued to evolve alongside the families we serve. We’ve refreshed our brand and updated our facilities to create an even better experience for pets and their parents. We’ve expanded our play yards for more fun and socialization, added comfortable suites for overnight stays, and remodeled our lobbies into modern, welcoming spaces that make drop-offs and pick-ups a breeze. Behind every decision is our commitment to safety, convenience, and a love for the pets who bring us so much joy.

The PetSuites Difference

While our look and locations have evolved, our dedication to quality care has only grown stronger. Today, PetSuites offers a full range of services including dog and cat boarding, daycare, grooming, and training, all delivered by experienced pet-loving professionals who treat every guest as part of the family.

For an extra dose of comfort and fun, we’ve introduced options like Exit Baths and Enrichment sessions, giving Pet Parents even more ways to make their pet’s stay special. Whether it’s a first visit or a familiar face running through the lobby, we take pride in making every stay safe, happy, and tail-waggingly fun.

The People Behind the Pets

Our success has always come down to one thing: our people. The heart of PetSuites beats through the passionate team members who show up every day ready to care for your pets as if they were their own. Many of them have been with us for years, some since the very beginning, and their dedication is what keeps our community strong.

Take Erin Fischer, for example, who joined PetSuites in 2001 and now helps oversee operations across the country. Her quick thinking once saved a guest’s life, and the pet parent’s gratitude remains one of our most cherished reminders of why we do what we do:

“This is a memory and experience I will never forget. One of our guests, Bear, a Briard, was staying with us while his Pet Parent was out of the country. He was acting off and thanks to the experience of my team they spotted the signs of early stage bloat. I rushed him to the emergency clinic and was able to save his life. However, the clinic couldn’t keep him during the day so I had to transport Bear back and forth from our resort to the clinic for four days until his Pet Parent returned from his trip.

When he came to pick up Bear, he cried in the lobby about the love and care that his dog received. He said that he would never have expected for someone to take care of Bear the way he would. When Bear passed away, he brought his new dog to PetSuites and immediately started talking about Bear to all the new employees and customers in the lobby and how we saved his life and he’d never even consider taking his dogs anywhere else. This shows how we truly care for pets as if they are our own, and we’re always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience and always go that extra mile for our guests and Pet Parents.”

It’s stories like Erin’s, and the countless acts of love that happen every day at our resorts, that define who we are. Read more stories from our amazing team here!

Here’s to the Next 25 Years

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back; we’re looking ahead. Our promise to Pet Parents remains the same as it was in 2000: to provide exceptional care, trusted service, and a loving environment where every pet feels at home.

Thank you to every Pet Parent who has trusted us, every team member who has gone above and beyond, and every wagging tail and happy purr that has made these 25 years so special. Here’s to the next 25 years of love, care, and happy tails. We can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Ready to book a stay? Find a PetSuites location near you or continue exploring our variety of helpful content for pet parents.