Reigning Cats and Dogs
Treating You Pets Like Royalty

By Jay Winchester

On the way home after a recent viewing of the hit movie, “Marley & Me,” I remarked to my wife that I was thankful our new puppy, Dexter, named after Showtime’s infamous serial killer, was nothing like Marley. The very next day Dexter chewed up our three-week old sculpted rug, the centerpiece of our newly redecorated living room.

Needless to say, my response was a less than thankful one. I led Dexter to his crate, went outside for some primal scream therapy and immediately called our dog trainer for counseling regarding how to integrate a nearly-condemned criminal back into normal society. Clearly, I was in need of some helpful intervention, just as Dexter was in need of diversion. We both found what we needed at Fuzzie Buddies, a recreational pet resort located close to Tampa’s Channelside district.

Edie Wilhoit, the founder and owner of Fuzzie Buddies, which opened in 2003, possesses two key personality traits. The first is her passion for pets, which drove her desire to open a pet resort. The second is an uncanny attention to detail, which drove her to spend over five years researching the pet industry, assembling an advisory board of industry veterans, finding investors, and then meticulously designing a facility that is truly unique in Tampa Bay. “I was always the kid who specialized in rescuing cats from trees,” she says. “I am truly blessed with the heart and the passion for animals, which is essential for success in this business.”
Fuzzie Buddies’ physical facility is a converted two-story former warehouse covering 40,000 square feet, 20,000 of which are indoors. This is where the company carries out the five aspects of its business, which is centered on serving the needs of pets and pet owners: boarding dogs, grooming dogs, doggie day care, boarding cats and a small retail center.
In the upstairs, um, cat house, there are several “kitty condos,” each featuring six levels for comfort, relaxation, play and peaceful existence during stays. The condos also feature lushly padded, cat-sized four-poster beds, similar to those found in human bed and breakfast establishments. Kitty playtime takes place in this area. In order to keep a healthy and pleasant environment for her feline guests, Wilhoit installed a separate air handling system for the cat area.

The remaining portion of the upstairs and the majority of the downstairs is taken up with custom-designed boarding kennels. A few of these are actually large rooms with stucco interiors, equipped with TVs (Animal Planet is considered required viewing), webcams, beds and plenty of room. The remaining boarding cubicles are of various sizes in order to facilitate a variety of guests. Also on the ground floor are the company’s offices, its foyer, two grooming stations and a laundry equipped with industrial-strength washer and dryer. The entire facility, including the parking lot, is wired for remote viewing through 20 cameras. A state-of-the-art fire alarm system offers additional protection. And someone is on-site at all times.

However, outdoors is really where the action is! There are several large, fenced play areas, many of which are covered to provide shade from the sun (augmented by misting systems during the dog days of summer) and protection from the storms that are the hallmarks of our local weather systems. There are two 25 foot by 25 foot pools (lifeguards are always on duty) with beach entries facilitating splashing and sunbathing. And the entire surface area is covered with Field Turf, similar to that used at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands. The drainage system is another feature designed and built by Wilhoit, who gives careful consideration to everything connected to her business. “We want to provide a level of service and experience that is the best in our industry,” she says, “and I am totally committed to that goal.”

Dexter and I arrived promptly at 9:30 AM, although check-in begins at 7:00. Dexter is led away while I fill out an information packet that covers almost every aspect of his short life: medical condition, size, breed, observed attitudes, tendencies toward aggression, etc.
Every canine guest is evaluated and tested for its ability to integrate socially into the mix of dogs. “I don’t ever discriminate against a dog because of its breed,” Wilhoit says. “I care more about the dog’s attitude and its ability to play well with others.” The first part of the evaluation is done with the dog by itself, and the rest of the evaluation takes place out in the pool area. Dogs who evaluate well are welcomed back. Those who don’t, or those who act out, are removed from the field of play, and owners are instructed to retrieve their pets. “This is all about the security and safety of every dog in our care,” says Edie. “The whole objective is to provide them with a day of play and carefree camaraderie.”

On the day Dexter attended day care, there were roughly 50 dogs of various breeds, shapes and sizes romping and roaming the pool area under the watchful gaze of two employees. They lead group play sessions, supervise behavior, integrate newcomers into the fun and generally help ensure that the dogs are enjoying themselves- which they do!
Dexter romps around the pool area in the company of several dogs his size or larger. The pack rolls and tumbles, kicking and roughhousing. Smaller dogs leap and bound in separate groups, and sometimes they intermingle. It is paradise…

In fact, another key benefit offered to guests that figures prominently in the success of her business is Wilhoit’s team members. Each is carefully screened and chosen, and Edie insists that each have some prior experience with animals. “Even though we all share the same passion for pets, this business isn’t an easy one,” she says. “We’re here working while everyone else is out having a great time. But that’s the commitment we make to our customers. So I’ve made it a point to surround myself with good people, strong people and committed people.” Fuzzie Buddies employs 16 full-time workers augmented by several part-time employees.

Wilhoit, with her characteristic attention to every detail, immersed herself in the world of pets. “I went to grooming school, but not to become a groomer,” she says. “I went to learn what goes into being a good groomer in order to hire a good groomer for my business.” Her research started well before she recognized her life’s path. Her previous tenure as an events planner for IBM had her out on the road working three events a week. When she traveled, she boarded her dog. Soon, she began noticing a raw spot on her large dog, resulting from his being placed in boarding stalls that were too small for him. She filed that information away.
Wilhoit earned her degree in Sports Marketing and Management, and her career as an events planner kept her very busy. Soon, at 30 years of age, she began looking for a career that might secure her a better lifestyle in the present while also securing her future retirement. When she discovered pet resorts, she knew she’d hit on the perfect choice. Her attitude about her business shows it. “I’m not in the pet industry,” Edie proclaims. “I’m in the travel industry. Our business is here to help pet owners facilitate their own travel plans, whether it’s business or personal travel. We remove all the care and concerns over the welfare and safety of their four-legged family members. We maintain high standards here, to the point where I consider us the Ritz-Carlton of our industry.”

Dexter enters the pool cautiously, his only experience with water being that found in his drinking dish. Soon, he is splashing through the water with other dogs. He even braves the deep water under careful guidance, retreating to the beach entry when the bottom disappears beneath his paws…

Edie’s own family consists of her four dogs: Slammer, a Labrador / English Springer Spaniel mix; Mystic, a retired Greyhound; Prancer, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina; and Mosi, a fluffy white dog she found in the vicinity of Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry. When she’s not at work, she relaxes with her pets by watching TV (No, “Animal Planet” is not required viewing in her home…Fuzzie Buddies is enough like an animal planet to suit her). Dinners out with friends and spa vacations also help her recharge that passion for pets.

Her business tends to be seasonal in nature, with the slowest times being right after school starts and just after the Christmas holidays. But she has many regulars whose dogs attend day care sessions frequently. A discount card enables customers to realize more visits for less money, offering them true value.

Fuzzie Buddies also gives back to the community through its participation in several charitable endeavors. Among these are Paws for Patriots, which helps supply seeing-eye dogs for veterans in need, and Bark in the Park, which raises money for The Humane Society. In fact, Fuzzie Buddies was able to help a veteran stationed overseas watch his dog at play via the Internet. And the company is not averse to picking up strays and caring for them.

Despite the uniqueness of her business, Edie is continually examining what the business does in hopes of finding ways of improving. “I always take some time at the beginning of each year to review what we do,” she says. “We’re very good at what we do, but we can always improve on something. We are driven to be the very best.”

In the end, the success of Fuzzie Buddies is measured by one thing: happiness. If the dogs and cats are treated well, they are happy. When the pets are happy, the owners are happy. When the pets and owners are happy, Edie Wilhoit is happy. “I’m blessed by the people that surround me in this business,” Edie says. “And at the end of every day, I get a great reward: licks and kisses from all our guests!” It’s guaranteed not everyone working in the travel industry can say that.

At Fuzzie Buddies, the guests might be “fuzzie,” but the company’s vision for superior service is crystal clear.

At day’s end and on the road home, Dexter leans against the leather car seat, tired but happy. His slowly closing eyes and doggish smile tell me his day was a rewarding one. Within minutes, he’s curled up asleep. It’s a miracle- both dog and dog owner are relaxed and happy. Thank you, Fuzzie Buddies!