About us
Furry Friends Resort provides San Diego pets owners with the peace of mind their pets will be cared for in a safe, fun, and loving environment that is as low-stress and fear-free as possible. Our guests' safety, health, and emotional well-being is our number one priority.
Dr. Lori Martin opened Furry Friends Resort in 2007 alongside her veterinary practice after seeing the need for a safe, luxury boarding option in East County San Diego that was closely connected to trusted veterinary care. Her mission was to give pet parents peace of mind while they were away. That mission continues today under the leadership of Stephanie Buys, who oversees daily operations and ensures every pet receives the same top-notch care. Dr. Martin (as well as Dr. Kanholm) remains actively involved, providing ongoing veterinary guidance and oversight for the well-being of our furry guests.
Fear-Free and Low-Stress Environment
Boarding your dog or cat can be very stressful, not only on you, but also on your pets. We take many extra measures to ensure a low-stress and fear-free environment for your pets while in our care:
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We separate dog and cat environments completely, including separate entrances.
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All guest rooms have clear plexiglass doors and indoor play areas have large open windows to ensure that your pet does not feel enclosed in a cage.
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Several staff members are Fear-Free certified - an extensive certification program that provides training on recognizing signs of fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets and how to resolve these issues through different handling and environmental techniques.
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We play iCalmDog and iCalmCat, clinically stress-reducing music for pets, continuously throughout the day.​
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We use Rescue, a cleaning product promoted by Fear-Free due to its high safety standards for pets.
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We release Adaptil pheromones in the air to help reduce stress in our canines and Feliway pheromones to help reduce stress in our felines.​
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We monitor/record weight, exercise, eliminations, and physical and emotional health daily. Our veterinarian is intimately involved with day-to-day care and immediately notified of any problem, big or small.
