June 23, 2023, is a day that David and Valerie McInnes will never forget.
That's when they welcomed their first furry guest to Barkland Pet Resort & Crematorium. They have welcomed hundreds since, and David is looking forward to celebrating the second anniversary later this year.
"It has been an amazing experience, we have had our fair share of ups and downs, the learning curve was tremendous," said McInnes. "The rewards of all of the furry friends we get to meet are utterly amazing."
David and Valerie have always taken immense pride in taking care of people. Whether that be family or furry friends, they are two incredible people who love to lend a helping hand when they can. From 2011 to 2019, they fostered 13 children through the Child Welfare System, and also homed several Dauphin Kings players over the years. At one time, they had three goaltenders and their son in one home.
"When that came to an end, we were looking for another way to support our community," said McInnes. "Manitoba is in a bit of a pandemic with unhomed domestic pets, those looking for needs, care and medical attention. To support someone who can't speak for themselves and protect and care for them, it's something extremely close to our hearts."
Over the past two years, Barkland Resort & Crematorium has focused on enhancing the experience and comfort of its guests by adding value and new amenities, including having on-site kennel technicians from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.
There are also expanded check-in and pick-up hours. While David and Valerie are the faces that are front and centre, David knows this couldn't be pulled off without his staff.
"We have a very passionate, very caring, and very emotional pack of support that comes along with us," continued McInnes. "Our team is utterly amazing, they care so much about our guests. I can't say enough about our team, they're such a special group."
As of June 1, 2025, there will be some changes for overnight stays.
- One Dog - $29.40 GST included;
- Two Dogs in the same suite - $35.00 GST included;
- One Cat - $19.00 GST included; and
- Two Cats in the same suite - $22.00 GST included.
The new rates include a Kuranda bed at no additional charge. David says they started looking at other kennels and what they charge, finding they are by far on the lower scale. Many are substantially more expensive, some charging upwards of $70 per night.
"We want to remain economical for people in our region so they can afford a pet, but still be able to go away when they need to, and when their pets can't go with them, they still have a safe place to stay," ended McInnes. "We want to be in a position where we can cover our costs and be sustainable moving forward."
