Brandon Twp.- Midge Stewart was excited to become a small business owner when she purchased Maple Lane Kennels from Hank Podell in 1999.
She was blissfully unaware of the challenges she would face over the next decade as the recession took hold following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the housing market crashed. Stewart would lose 50 percent of the kennel’s business during the downturn and as pet owners cut expenses, she did, too.
‘It was really hard? tons of my customers moved out of the area,? said Stewart. ‘There are many reasons animals stay with us, but the whole vacation thing went away. I was here a lot by myself and analyzed every bit of my budget. The non-essentials went away, but nothing necessary to our animals.?
Those necessities included the exceptional care and service Maple Lane Kennels customers had come to expect and the business not only survived, but is now thriving and celebrating 30 years serving area animals and their owners from the location at 2939 Hummer Lake Road.
‘We are big into customer service,? said Stewart. ‘If you are going to do a job, do the best you can do.?
She praised Podell’s architectural skill in building a superior kennel on 7.5 acres and opening it in 1985. Stewart boarded her dogs at the kennel before buying the business. The licensed veterinary technician was looking for a career change in which she could still work with animals and when she saw the ‘for sale? sign, it was a done deal.
Maple Lane Kennels has the ability to board up to 40 dogs at a time and can also board up to five cats. Additionally, Stewart has cared for ferrets, guinea pigs and rabbits. She does not accept snakes.
The dog kennels all have indoor/outdoor runs and are private. There is no group playtime or mixing dogs together (unless owners request dogs from the same family are kept together). There is a spacious play yard for dogs to enjoy alone at specific times.
Stewart enjoys her job.
‘Anytime you can have a blast at work it’s a great thing,? she said. ‘Obviously, I’m an animal lover. I love taking care of them and playing with them.?
The dogs enjoy coming to Maple Lane Kennels, too, she said, and all breeds are accepted.
Besides boarding, Stewart also offers full-service grooming and doggy daycare. Maple Lane Kennels offers pick-up and delivery service of animals as well.
‘I just really enjoy our customers, we have a great relationship with all of them,? said Stewart. ‘This is physically demanding work and I won’t be able to do this forever, but I’ll be here as long as I physically can… Bring your pets here. We are immaculately clean and our customer service is above and beyond.?
Plan ahead for boarding during the summer or when kids are out of school on breaks. Grooming appointments can usually be made within a week. Details: 248-627-4445 or maplelanekennels.com.