Ruff House Dog Resort Secures Peak Value Thanks to PET|VET
Chris and Susan Cammack never set out to enter the pet care industry. But, after purchasing a home with a small boarding facility on the property in Georgia, they decided to embark on a new business venture and follow their lifelong passion of caring for dogs. As the newest owners of the Ruff House Dog Resort in 2015, their journey was just beginning.
The Cammacks put their hearts and souls into their dog boarding business and grew the company into the successful venture they knew it could be. So in 2019, when an opportunity to purchase a competing facility nearby became available, they eagerly acquired the new building and expanded the Ruff House Dog Resort.
Ruff House Dog Resort operated out of an 8,948-square-foot building on 2.57 acres in Milton Ga., a suburb north of Atlanta. The business offered overnight lodging, daycare, grooming and training services, and was named “Best of North Atlanta” boarding facility for four consecutive years.
“We opened right before the pandemic hit — it was a terrible time to invest in an expansion but we did it — 2020 was just all a matter of staying afloat,” said Chris. “When ’21 came and things started getting back to normal, we realized we weren’t equipped to run a large facility. It was so much different than a small facility and we wanted to know our options.”
Starting the Conversation with a Pet Care Facility Broker
Similar to other business owners, Chris didn’t know where to begin when deciding to sell his pet care facility. He was introduced to PET|VET through his pet care industry network and subscribed to the company’s newsletter. He eventually reached out to Teija Heikkilä, CEO of PET|VET, to discuss the current business landscape and any opportunities for his business.
Teija shared her formula for success with Chris and consulted with him as he built a thriving dog boarding business. She advised him about the different attributes buyers in the pet care space are looking for and told him how he could make his business more attractive to private equity firms looking to invest in the market.
“Over the course of three years, we went from $700,000 to $1.9 million,” said Chris. “We really focused on the business and did everything we were told — and it worked.” In addition to increasing revenue, Chris and his team also worked hard to create a culture that cared passionately for dogs and each other. He made sure his team felt valued because, at the end of the day, they were what made Ruff House Dog Resort special. “Sure, it’s fun to play with dogs — but you get to meet a lot of great people. That was my favorite part,” said Chris. “Working with dog-passionate people and the team we put together was incredible.”
However, just like many business owners today, running a successful dog boarding business and navigating unimaginable challenges, like the pandemic and sky-high interest rates, took a toll on Chris and his family, and they were ready to move on. “Even though we had a great staff and great managers, we were always mentally checked in,” he said. “But then add 100+ dogs under your watch, and you can never fully disconnect.”
Preparing a Dog Boarding Facility for Sale
Chris contacted Teija, and said he wanted to explore his options for selling his business. “She knows the big players out there and knows how to work with them — Teija and her team are tireless,” Chris said. “None of this would have happened without them. The team is at the top of their game.”
The PET|VET team took care of every aspect of the deal from start to finish and Chris knew his most valuable asset — his business — was in good hands. He recalls late-night phone calls and early-morning emails but he always knew Teija and team had his back. “It’s really about assembling the right team and surrounding yourself with brilliant people that you can trust,” Chris said.
Brokering a Successful Deal in the Pet Care Industry
With the Ruff House Dog Resort transaction complete, Chris is extremely pleased with the results. He acknowledges what the PET|VET team brought to the table and says he could not have sealed the deal without them (even though he has a background in business).
Chris and his family have moved on to their next venture, operating sweets shops at the beach in Florida.
ABOUT THE BUSINESS
Location: Milton, GA
Purchased in 2019
Owned for 5 years
Services provided: Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, Training
1 building, 8,940 SF
111 suites with 140+ dog capacity
20 full and part-time staff
Chris contacted Teija, and said he wanted to explore his options for selling his business.
“She knows the big players out there and knows how to work with them — Teija and her team are tireless,” Chris said. “None of this would have happened without them. The team is at the top of their game.”
The PET|VET team took care of every aspect of the deal from start to finish and Chris knew his most valuable asset — his business — was in good hands. He recalls late-night phone calls and early-morning emails but he always knew Teija and team had his back.
“It’s really about assembling the right team and surrounding yourself with brilliant people that you can trust,” Chris said.
