Pup-Pampering Pros: The Pet Barn

By Amber Mabe

Man’s best friend. Fur babies. Four-legged roommates. There are many names for the beloved animal companions that occupy space in our homes and hearts, but there is one thing all pet parents have in common: the certainty that no one loves or cares for our pets as well as we do. So when it comes time for grooming or boarding our furry family members, it is easy to become overwhelmed with feelings of unease or worry when placing them in someone else’s care. Pet parents in the Triad need look no further than The Pet Barn when it comes to finding a caregiver who will give their pet the same love and care they would receive at home. 

From a young age, Melissa Pilson had a special gift for caring for animals. As a child, her big heart led her to bring more stray cats home than her parents knew what to do with. However, she says she never imagined she could make a career out of caring for animals. After obtaining her CNA license and marrying her high school sweetheart, Melissa spent several years working in the local hospital system. After the long-awaited blessing of the birth of their son, Melissa searched for a new opportunity that would allow her to remain with Brayden during the day. This search led her to her cousin’s grooming business. It was there that Melissa found her passion. Quickly picking up the trade, Melissa spent a year commuting to her cousin’s business before starting her own grooming service in Belews Creek. 

In 2002, The Pet Barn had a humble beginning with a single bathtub in a basement and homemade posters distributed around town. It was not long before customers noticed the high level of care Melissa gave to each pet that came through her doors, and the business began to grow. After one year, Melissa and her husband Rodney added a garage and a small shop to their home, moving the business to their own property and adding boarding to their list of services. Melissa’s drive to help others and love for her furry clients filled their home to the brim with four-legged friends. After four years, business was bursting at the seams and Melissa knew something needed to change before they could grow any further.

When a local client decided to sell their 18-acre farm just down the road from Melissa’s home, she knew it was the opportunity they had been waiting for. “I did not know if we could do it, but it all worked out,” Melissa says. “God had his hand in it, and it could not have moved smoother.” After purchasing the property and making renovations to the existing barn, The Pet Barn had found its new home with room to grow. 

When budget cuts caused Melissa’s husband to lose his job, The Pet Barn truly became a family operation, with everyone working together to care for their growing clientele. Working as a family, they were able to grow from a 27-run facility to a 55-run barn that can house anywhere from 65 to 80 dogs at a time. Now Melissa and her employees groom up to 30 dogs per day, with many clients booking up to two or three months in advance. A spacious fenced yard, doggie pool, playground, and a plethora of toys keep doggie daycare attendees entertained for hours on end. Although the business is hard work that requires Melissa to be present for long hours every day of the week, she says she would not have it any other way. “I just want to fulfill the needs of the community,” Melissa says. “I want your dog to feel as much at home here as they can. We try to make things as comfortable as possible, and we love on them like they are our own dogs. I have seen my staff get on the floor with dogs that are really anxious, and by the time they leave, they are totally different.”

This love and care comes through loud and clear to customers who have been entrusting their best friends to Melissa for years. “There are so many reasons to love the Pet Barn,” says Janet B., “Rocco, my shepherd-lab mix, and Sadie, my aussie-doodle would go every day if I let them. I travel as part of my job and sometimes I get little notice. The Pet Barn team works with me and when the babies are there, I don’t have to worry about their safety. Sadie has to get groomed and Rocco doesn’t like to have her out of his sight! With The Pet Barn being a daycare and a groomer, it makes my life one hundred percent easier. I love the staff!” 

“The pet barn has been my go-to for doggie day care, grooming, and boarding for about a year now,” says pet-parent Kenzie G., “They are always lovely and do such a great job. It warms my heart when they get so excited to see my dog and call her by name! I know she is in the best of hands every time I drop her off. I will never take my pup somewhere else; it will always be The Pet Barn for us!”

There is no doubt that The Pet Barn has become a trusted community partner, withstanding the test of time and creating a welcoming home away from home for pets across the Triad. Melissa says she loves being a part of the local community, including supporting the Carolina Thunderbirds and even becoming the main sponsor for the Pucks and Paws event last month. “I just love the hometown feeling in this area,” she says. “My clients are so sweet and have been with me for so many years. I love that part of doing business here.”

From full-service grooming to doggie day care to boarding in a facility where Melissa and her family are on site 24 hours a day, The Pet Barn is sure to put your mind at ease when choosing someone to care for your important animal companions. If you have a furry family member and are interested in learning more about what The Pet Barn offers, you may do so by visiting their Facebook page or by calling 336-451-7508.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *