Our Story

Care Pals was born from personal experience—one that opened my eyes to the gaps in traditional pet care.

When I adopted my dog, Maxwell, from the Humane Society of West Michigan, I knew he had some behavioral challenges. Like many pet owners, I assumed the best way to provide care when I couldn’t be there was to use a traditional kennel facility. But I quickly realized that not all dogs thrive in that environment.

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Maxwell wasn’t motivated by other dogs—he was motivated by human attention. At the kennel, I later learned that he spent most of his day in isolation because he was too challenging for their setup. Their solution was to keep him separated, which wasn’t what I thought I was paying for. That experience made me realize that traditional boarding isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and many pets need a different approach.

Determined to understand pet behavior better, I started studying animal cues, body language, and how past trauma impacts a pet’s psychological well-being. I also volunteered at local shelters, where I saw firsthand the stress animals endure when confined to kennels for long hours. That was all the confirmation I needed—there was a real misunderstanding about how we care for our pets.

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In June 2023, I launched Care Pals to offer a better, more personalized approach to pet care. Our goal is to provide pets with the comfort, attention, and understanding they need while giving owners peace of mind. Every animal is unique, and we believe in adapting to their needs rather than forcing them into a rigid system.

Whether your pet thrives in social settings or needs one-on-one attention, we’re here to help. Because pet care should be about what’s best for them—not just what’s most convenient for us.