Full-service lodging, daycare, grooming, and training pet care and retailer
By Dave Pasquantonio, Contributing Writer
Grafton – Bob Gibson, owner of Gibson’s Natural Pet Resort in Grafton, is an animal lover.
“I have eight dogs,” he said in between answering customer phone calls, “and they all get along with my cats.”
That love of animals shines through in his business. Now in its 17th year, Gibson’s is a full-service lodging, daycare, grooming, and training pet care and retailer nestled among conservation property along Route 140. The site of a former horse barn, Gibson’s spans over 12,000 square feet—and every inch is immaculate. The kennels, runs, and play areas are cleaned and sanitized daily, as are the bedding and food and water bowls.
Each of the two lodges, for dogs staying one or more days, has fresh water, heating and air conditioning, and bedding for a needed nap. One of the lodges even has radiant floor heat. For the utmost in pampering, dogs can stay in one of the six-by-eight VIP rooms with a private play area and a raised bed.
The cats get their own lodging in a “no dogs allowed” room featuring high-end condos with dedicated water and ventilation systems. These condos can be reconfigured to give each kitty more private space.
In the daycare area, dogs frolic with other dogs, play with toys, and splash in cooling summertime pools. Gibson’s also offers grooming and cleaning, including a bubble bath, forced-air drying, nail trimming, and styling and cuts, so that dogs can look their best.
All of the outdoor play space is surrounded by high fencing and covered in artificial turf or pea stone. When bad weather hits, the dogs instead hit the huge indoor play room with a padded floor. At night, the play room becomes a training room, with behavior, obedience, and puppy play classes run by an outside professional.
Pet parents love knowing that Gibson’s is a safe and secure place for their furry friends. There are dozens of security cameras so that Bob and his staff can keep an eye on the whole place, indoors and outdoors. Bob can even look at the camera feeds from the comfort of his own home (he lives in a house on the premises). Each dog gets a temporary collar printed with the dog’s name, medications, breed, date of birth, and the facility’s contact information.
Gibson’s retail store is pin-neat and stuffed with hundreds of products—natural and healthy food and treats, toys, accessories, and over-the-counter medications—for canines and felines. There are even Patriots jerseys for pooches who want to represent their favorite football team.
Gibson’s Natural Pet Resort is located at 139 Upton Street in Grafton. For more information, call (508) 839-1757 or visit at www.gibsonsnaturalpet.com.
Photos/Dave Pasquantonio