PET PALS: “We offer love and attention to dogs 24/7 in a cage-free kennel alternative. And, we bring peace of mind to dog owners, who know their animals will have the best of care.” Carole Lini, owner of All Good Dogs, is proud of the staff members shown in the photo holding two of their canine charges.

Does your dog need a home away from home? Is he or she becoming a “pooch potato”? Too much rest-time and not enough play-time and exercise? With so many people working out of the house today, that special canine companion may experience all of the above and be lonely as well.

Fortunately, Princeton area dogs have a happy alternative: All Good Dogs, which operates two nearby facilities, one in Plainsboro and one in Lawrence, as well as a third in Cherry Hill. 

Owned by Carole Lini, these are 24/7, 365-day-a-year, cage-free kennel alternatives, which offer dogs a safe, friendly, and spacious environment in which to socialize with other dogs under the supervision of trained counselors.

“We were really pioneers of this concept in our area, especially the concept of cage-free boarding 24/7,” explains Ms. Lini.”

Plenty of Exercise

All three locations provide the same services, including daycare, overnight boarding, and grooming and training by appointment. “We have a professional groomer on staff, and we offer baths only or grooming, which includes a bath,” says Ms. Lini.

“We are available for people who are not comfortable with the typical kennel situation, where animals are in a more confined area,” she continues, “We have lots of room so the dogs have plenty of exercise, stimulation, and socialization. At the Lawrence location, we can accommodate 55 dogs, and 25 to 30 at our Plainsboro facility. We have big yards — really huge, park-like yards with outdoor play furniture, so the dogs can have fun. We also provide all the toys, balls, bowls, beds, and blankets, etc.”

When owners consider sending their dogs to All Good Dogs, they first fill out a questionnaire, explains Ms. Lini. “Then, we’ll do a lengthy evaluation of the dog. We want to see how it interacts and mingles with the other dogs, and how the dog acts without its owner. We want to see if the dog will be a good match here. They must mix well with the other dogs. Also, the dogs must be spayed or neutered, and all vaccinations must be up-to-date.”

Ms. Lini has been caring for pets professionally for more than 25 years, she notes. “I started as a veterinarian technician, then worked as a pet sitter, walking dogs, and taking care of cats. With some dogs, we had three or four visits per day, and they were still getting lonely. They weren’t getting that extra mental and physical stimulation. We needed to find another way.”

Well-Behaved

Four months to 14 or 15 years is the typical age range at All Good Dogs, with the upper limit dependent on the dog’s health. Chihuahuas to Great Danes have been clients, with all sizes and breeds in between.

“We group dogs according to age, size, temperament, and activity level,” points out Ms. Lini. “We put dogs who are a little more mellow together, and we find that the dogs often form friendships with each other. They are usually very well-behaved. Also, you learn each dog’s personality, and can anticipate their behavior.”

Some dogs prefer to stay outside a good part of the day; others enjoy a well-deserved nap inside. “We usually rotate them in and out, so they have the opportunity to play outside and inside,” explains Ms. Lini.

Generally, clients bring their dog’s own food, but the facility will provide food, if necessary. In addition, the staff will give medication, if needed, and a veterinarian is on call.

Many dogs come five days a week, others three times or once a week. Prices vary, and special savings are offered depending on how often the dog comes.

Typical overnights are five to seven days, but many dogs stay longer, and some board just for a weekend. A staff member is available all night. “When dogs stay overnight, they often bed down with a buddy they have been playing with,” says Ms. Lini.

Special Song

“Some owners miss their dogs so much that they will even call and ask to speak to the dog,” she notes, adding that clients sometimes have other special requests. “As an in-home pet sitter, I was asked to sing a special song to a cat!”

Ms. Lini happily complied, as she is always eager to do all she can to create a congenial environment for any pet. “We are full-service here. We do anything we can to take care of the dogs. We do our best at all times for them. We love seeing how happy the dogs are.”

The pet owners who bring their animals to All Good Dogs are happy too. Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert’s dog Lady Woo Woo, a collie-shepherd mix, was an All Good Dogs client for many years.

“She started going as a puppy, and she boarded there when our family went on trips,” reports Mayor Lempert. “She was a dog that loved being around other dogs. At All Good Dogs, the dogs play all day, then sleep together at night in a heap! Lady Woo Woo loved going there. It was her time to be with her own kind.”

Ms. Lini notes that most of the overnight dogs are housed at the Lawrence location, which has more space. 30 or more dogs stay over on a typical night.

Ms. Lini is proud of the success of All Good Dogs, and looks forward to taking care of even more dogs in the future. She and the staff establish ongoing relationships with many of the dogs.

Labor of Love

“A lot of our dogs come to us when they are puppies and continue to come as they get older. They develop a relationship with the staff and also with their dog playmates.

“This is a labor of love for all of us. I truly enjoy what I do, but I couldn’t do it without my great staff. We employ 35 people, all dog lovers. They are loyal, compassionate employees. Everyone here does this because they love dogs”

Ms. Lini notes that the holiday season is an especially busy time for All Good Dogs, and she suggests that people call as soon as possible, especially for overnights.

“I look forward to All Good Dogs being here for a long time. I’m proud that after all these years of hard work my initial concept is a continuing success. This is a great service for the dogs and for the people who love them.

For dogs — and cats — who prefer to stay at home, Ms. Lini also offers her in-home pet-sitting service: Whisker Watchers: Happy Tails, which covers all of Mercer County. All pet sitters are bonded and insured.

All Good Dogs facilities are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Accommodations are available for people with special hourly needs.

Call the Lawrence facility at 160 Basin Road (just off Baker’s Basin Road) at (609) 587-3535; Plainsboro at 113 Schalks Crossing Road at (609) 275-7177; Whisker Watchers Pet Sitting at (609) 538-8696. Website: allgooddogscagefree.com.