A 'Ritz-Carlton For Dogs' Is Now Open On The Main Line

WAYNE, PA — Pets are part of the family. So why skimp on accommodations for them when you can't have them tag along for adventures?

K9 Resorts Wayne is now offering luxury stays for dogs in and around the Main Line at 644 Lancaster Ave. in Wayne. The new Wayne location is the second largest in the K9 Resorts network, featuring 12,000 square feet of indoor space and 3,000 square feet of outdoor space. It's the 47th location to open nationwide and seventh in Pennsylvania.

"The goal and promise is a five-star experience for owners and dogs," K9 Resorts Wayne owner Chris Kulp told Patch.

Kulp and his wife Marnie opened the new location of the luxury dog hotel chain last week, and while just one Google review has come in, it's a full five stars.

According to Kulp, the client's dog while at the facility urinated, and one of the roughly two-dozen trained staffers noticed a bit of discoloration in the urine.

The team suggested the client take their pooch to get checked out for fear of a urinary tract infection.

Lo and behold, the dog did in fact have a urinary tract infection, and the client credited the facility's staff with catching it early.

"I really appreciate the extra care and watchful eye on him while he is there," the client wrote in their Google review. "Makes me feel safe leaving him there."

K9 Resorts Wayne offers dog day care and longer term boarding.

Clients can drop their pups off for full or half day doggie day care.

"This is great for Owens who are working from home, have appointments, need to run errands, or just want to socialize their dogs," Kulp said. Dog day care not only helps dogs socialized, it also develops resiliency, maintain weight, and jut flat tire energetic dogs out due to playful nature of day care, he said.

As for boarding, the facility offers single night to longer term stays for pups. These client dogs can get special one-on-one time with staff, play time with other dogs, a special Blue Buffalo brand food developed by veterinarians for dogs being boarded, and spacious rooms for them to sleep in.

Clients have noted the dog accommodations are larger than some college apartments, Kulp said.

While boarded, staff will administer oral and topical medications as needed. Dogs also can get bathed after rousing play sessions if they get dirty. And, owners can even provide their own food for their dogs during their stays.

Kulp also said the dog washing facilities are being made available to local police K9 units as part of their community outreach.

K9 Resorts Wayne also prides itself on how clean it maintains its space.

Kulp said the facility uses a hospital-grade air purification system, ultraviolet air filtration, and strict sanitation protocols — including twice daily room cleaning — to ensure a safe environment for pets, owners, and staff.

"When clients come in, they don't see the air filters and the cleaning protocols," he said. "They see the chandelier and hear soft jazz, so we try to educate them on the hospital- and veterinary hospital-level measures in place."

Staffers are also trained in dog first aid, dog CPR, and dog psychology.

Additionally, dogs must have the appropriate vaccinations and be people friendly to enjoy a stay at K9 Resorts Wayne, again to provide a safe environment for all. Dogs who do not get along with their fellow furry comrades can stay at the facility, but they will not spend time with other pups.

"We can't promise everything, but we are doing everything to control the environment to ensure safety," Kulp said.

What K9 Resorts Wayne doesn't do is training and grooming. However, Kulp said he is working to partner with mobile groomers who can offer their services on the premises. And in the future, Kulp said he hopes to work with trainers to provide some dog training services on site.

"We're not interested in providing an unpleasant experience for dogs," he said. When investigating the brand, the Kulps noticed dogs dragging their owners into the doors of other K9 Resorts locations.

"We don't offer anything that's going to make the dog not want to be here," he said.

Potential clients can make reservations for their dogs online here or via the official K9 Resorts app.

Learn more about K9 Resorts Wayne online here.