gulf shores: Animals live it up at ‘pets resort’

By Sheryl Marsh
DAILY Staff Writer

Before Melissa Wallace heads to Gulf Shores for vacation, her furry family members check into a "pets resort" known as Osborne Animal Clinic in Decatur.

Wallace of Hartselle said her pooches, Taz and Esme and her cat, Suki, are always excited about their vacation.

"They seem to actually know where the animal clinic is," Wallace said. "When we're headed there, they get to jumping around and wiggling their tails because they associate it with a pleasant experience."

Americans spent $34 billion on pets last year, and Wallace is one of hundreds of people in the area who give their pets a vacation when they leave town.

Osborne Animal Clinic houses from 80 to 90 pets during peak season. The capacity is 118.

"Our biggest boarding time of the year is around Thanksgiving and Christmas," veterinarian Steve Osborne said. "Our other busiest time is on the weekends. During the summer, we have more weekday boarding when people go on vacation."

When owners are vacationing, back at the "resort" the furry ones are playing, relaxing and enjoying most of the amenities they have at home.

"Some of them bring their blankets and toys," said Osborne, who has seen the philosophy of boarding change.

"Now, most are residents at their homes and when brought here we go the extra step to mimic their lifestyle at home."

Contrast that lifestyle with the past when owners kept dogs in pens at home and used them mostly to hunt. Now when pets are accustomed to king-size beds and flat-screen televisions, it's more difficult, said Osbourne.

Recreation is a big part of their stay.

"We hire a bunch of young students who are there for no other reason than to play with the dogs," Osborne said. "They walk them, play games with them, just like their family would do at home."

James Craig says it's a home away from home for his Saint Bernard, Roxie, and his cats, Golden Flake and Butterbean.

"Normally when we're going out of town we board them with Dr. Osborne," said Craig. "It's really nice getting them to bathe Roxie before we pick her up."

"Certain ones who are allowed snacks get them, and if they require certain diets we accommodate them," Osborne said.

Pets have individual kennels.

"There is a science to the way we house them," said Osborne. "They don't face each other for intimidation reasons, and they can't breathe on each other for medical reasons."

Each kennel is stainless steel and sanitized. Trained staff is there for the animals' medical needs.

Other veterinary clinics in the area board animals, also. Some have limitations.

"We board smaller dogs and cats," said Frances Cobb of Pearson Animal Clinic in Hartselle. "We don't take any dogs over 60 pounds."

Dishman Animal Clinic in Decatur does not have a weight limit but boards mostly dogs and cats.

"We do house birds and gerbils, if they bring their cages," said Rhonda Kruger. "We can house 81 animals and our kennels are usually full for the whole summer, and of course during the seasonal holidays."

Osborne Clinic boards all kinds of pets.

Lima Jane, a pot-bellied pig, is a regular boarder.

"Her folks go off about every Thursday during football season, and she stays here quite a bit," said Osborne.

While there, many of the pets get spa treatment, including pedicures.

"They get bathed, a haircut and their toenails trimmed," said Kari Hallman.

Boarding rates are from $10 to $18 per day. Grooming costs between $30 and $35.

Osborne said that about 85 or 90 percent of his clientele are regular boarders.

During their stay, the dogs communicate in their own language, barking. The clinic employees understand them well.

"They get more accustomed to it over time," Osborne said. "They look forward to their walks and because there are so many of them they have to go in shifts. Each one wants to be first and they talk to us about it."