There are few places to board your dog in Cook County but one such place is the Rocky Knoll Boarding kennel. If you are heading out of town and need to find a place to kennel your pup, Josiah Avery suggests you come and visit the kennel earlier so you are comfortable when you drop off your dog there. Call before you come. His number is 218-387-3568. Photos courtesy of Josiah Avery
It’s only been one year since he opened his kennel, but it’s been a busy one for Josiah Avery.
Josiah spent considerable amounts of his free time to become a certified pet care professional.
Some might say it was a “ruff” year for the young man. He wouldn’t mind that at all. Through hard work, he hopes someday his business will become a “howling” success.
The owner of Rocky Knoll Boarding, Josiah, recently received his certification through the Outstanding Pet Care (OPC) University.
“The Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center’s certification program (www.OPCLearningCenter.com) is the only certification for pet care professionals working in the pet boarding, doggie daycare, and grooming industries,” Josiah said. “Pets are a vital part of many families. People want the absolute best care available when they entrust their pups to others.
“Having a professional pet care certification sets places like Rocky Knoll apart. It shows that I am willing to go the extra mile to make sure that your dog has the best care possible.
“Going through this training didn’t necessarily allow me to do new things; it enabled me to be better at what I am already doing! I learned about business management, kennel hygiene, canine nutrition, canine handling, infectious diseases and more! My knowledge has increased tenfold!”
When asked how his first year in business had gone, Josiah explained, “I had a great start to 2020. January and February did better than some of my summer months last year! But then March came around and the demand for dog care diminished greatly as COVID-19 took center stage. April and May were especially rocky.
“Because of Governor Walz’s orders, I closed for reservations on March 30, and my last dogs left April 1st. As a matter of fact, those three cages sat empty for a little over two months. Near the end of May, business started to explode. As of mid-May, June was looking to be just as slow as April and May. However, in the past two weeks, I have scheduled over a dozen clients to fill those empty kennels.”
If Josiah’s name seems familiar to you, it’s because he sends in the East County Road 14 weather every week to the Cook County News-Herald, showing dedication beyond his years.
While his kennel isn’t outsized, Avery’s facility can safely accommodate several dogs.
“I can board as many as three dogs at one time,” he said. “My building contains three separate kennels, and I have a large outside play area.”
When asked how long an owner can kennel their dog, he was quick to respond, “We can kennel dogs for as much time as the owner desires.”
The cost of giving your dog a friendly, safe place to stay is very reasonable; one dog is $30 per day, and two dogs in one kennel is $50. There is a discount of 20 percent for kenneling dogs 15 days and beyond.
Will the dogs be walked?
“Yes! During your dog’s stay, he or she will be treated well. In addition to at least two walks daily, there will be plenty of pats, belly rubs and love to go around.”
Josiah is two years out of high school, but he isn’t a newcomer to the business.
“I have been taking care of dogs for at least eight years now. I started small, keeping only select dogs in my home. Within a couple of years, we moved out to County Road 14 to a house with a small-insulated outbuilding. That is where I started taking in a small number of customers as a business.”
To make sure your dog feels comfortable, Josiah advises you to bring, “A couple of his/her toys, your dog’s bed or blanket, some treats, and your dog’s leash.”
Also, you must bring your dogs’ food, and he asks that you bring extra in case you need to extend your trip. Food and water dishes are provided.
With his business growing, Josiah has plans for expansion.
“Right now, I still have three kennels, but the plans are to build a larger building in the near future as the demand for boarding exceeded my availability last year. My hope is to eventually have at least six regular kennels and two “private” kennels. “Normal” kennels are your basic four by six living area, but “private” kennels would be larger and have floor to ceiling walls to help the dogs feel more secluded. “Normal” kennel walls are about five feet tall.”
What about shots and paperwork as proof that they (the dogs) have been vaccinated?
“Dogs must be vaccinated before they can be kenneled,” said Josiah. “Before boarding, we must have proof of vaccinations. The vaccines required are rabies, distemper, and Bordetella. If you are local and plan to board, I would highly recommend you schedule a visit prior to the stay. Visiting the kennel gives peace of mind, since leaving your family member in the care of others can be stressful.”
“We are open seven days a week, two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please call ahead before visiting.”
Rocky Knoll’s number is 218-387-3568, and our email is rockyknollboarding@gmail.com. Our website is sites.google.com/site/rockyknolldogboarding/
“Our website contains all of the basic information you will need to board your pet. If you are thinking about scheduling a stay for your dog with us this summer, plan to make your reservation very soon as summer is filling fast.”
Rocky Knoll Boarding Kennel is located at 1471 County Road 14, Grand Marais, Minnesota. Traveling east of Grand Marais on Highway 61, you will find two entrances to County Road 14. From Grand Marais, you continue on Highway 61 for about 11 miles. Then just past mile marker 121, you will turn left onto the second entrance to County Road 14. Continue up County Road 14 for approximately 1.5 miles.
“When you pass Caspar Hill Road, we are the first driveway on the right. Our fire number is just past our driveway,” Josiah said.
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