Pet resort marks territory in old Pet Paradise

RIO RANCHO — A comfortable room, fun activities and a pool to stay by are the makings for an amazing hotel ... for dogs and cats in Rio Rancho, that is.

Tail Town Pet Resort, a family-run business, has taken over the old Pet Paradise location on Quantum Road. Rob Weinstein, owner and chief dog wrangler, and his family celebrated the opening July 12 even though they had been operating for a couple months.

“We’re just thrilled to be here and doing the Tail Town thing,” he said.

Tail Town offers boarding for dogs and cats, day camps for dogs to get exercise throughout the day, and grooming and training, according to Weinstein.

The resort has three in-ground swimming pools. Dozens of dogs had just finished a swim at the celebration and were headed to their beds for a nap.

“First thing in the morning, when you roll up the garage doors, they run into the pool,” Weinstein said.

He also showed guests a deeper pool closer to the door for elder dog therapy or dogs with arthritis.

So far, Weinstein said he only has the one VIP room. “It is sold out, always. I need to add more, actually. Dogs get their own lodging, and owners get a password so they can watch their dog the whole time on video,” he said.

The VIP room also includes a cot-style bed with pillows and blankets, bowls and a TV. Dogs not in the VIP will stay in a queen- or king-sized space equipped with a plush bed and bowls. All rooms are also climate-controlled. Weinstein said they can house up to 200 dogs, and at the time of the celebration had 170 with them.

Cats, which Weinstein said are not there to exercise like the dogs are, have cabinet confinements with space to play, climb, sleep and eat. If there are only a few cats, staff will close the door to the entire room so cats can play in the open space. The larger room has cat trees and scratching posts along with all the toys and bells, window ledges for curious cats and room for staff to cuddle with them.

Each day, all dogs get to participate in supervised outdoor playtime and pool time. They also get routine bathroom breaks and “snuggles from staff,” according to the website.

Dogs are also able to participate in day camp, which allows owners to drop off and pick up in the same day. Weinstein’s family dogs regularly participate.

As for the training program, which is in a separate, spacious part of the building, Tail Town offers classes for obedience, scent training, beginning agility, pack walking and even canine good citizen certification. Weinstein said they work with law enforcement as well.

Weinstein was glad to be in Rio Rancho with the pet resort business for many reasons.

“We like it here and we live five blocks away,” he said.

He and his wife Antonia were both retired and getting “stir crazy.” After selling his other Rio Rancho business, the opportunity presented itself with the resort.

“We prefer Rio Rancho, and the opportunity was here. It came up and we went, ‘It’ll give us something to do.’. We’ve always said that if we were going to do any other business, it would be a pet business because we’re animal fanatics and have been for a long time,” he said.

For information about Tail Town, visit tailtownpetresort.com.