About Me

My name is Melissa (Mel) Perry, owner (one woman band) of Rosedale Pet Resort. I have been an animal lover and fancier my whole life. I grew up with a multitude of pets and was always surrounded by animals. Growing up with parents who were professional dog handlers and ran a boarding kennel, I was permitted to keep about any animal I desired! I was closely bonded with the dogs, as they brought a special joy to me as an only child. I was often called upon to socialize nervous dogs and helped with rescue efforts as well. I took it upon myself to write up record cards for departing dogs and the reason I offer a complimentary bath at check out stems from something I did as a young kid to make owners and dogs happy.

My parents travelled the world and competed in dog shows starting in the 1950s and met in the dog fancy. As soon as I was old enough, I was right there with them! Together, they raised and exhibited hundreds of top winning champions. As I grew older, I helped run the family business. I worked long hours and put the long hours before and after school knowing they needed me.

Flash forward to 2022, with the passing of both my parents in 2020, I decided to bring back the legacy of my family's business in a new way after inheriting the family kennel. I decided that it was time to leave the successful corporate career I had and return to my passion for animals. While my graduate degree is not related to animal care, I have a breadth of experience which spans my lifetime. After completely renovating the existing kennel to meet my own standards and operating on the family property for a year, I made the decision in the fall of 2022 to relocate the care to my personal home located in the North Rosedale area of Gig Harbor. All pets are cared for at my personal home so I can provide a more personal, homestyle level of care. This change also came with a renewed focus and a decrease in the number of dogs I care for at one time. I take a MAXIMUM of 10 dogs at a time, often closer to 8 so I can provide more focused care.

My Why: I left the safety of my corporate career to truly provide a distinctly unique option for boarding where there is a gap. I work 7 days a week and on holidays and weekends because that is what this passion requires.  I have a special focus on geriatric pets as well as those that may not do well in a traditional kennel. I take it on as a personal challenge to ensure both the pet and the owner have a great experience. I choose not to have employees because I feel solely responsible for providing the care myself. 

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Pet Resort

My vision is to create a place that treats each and every pet as special as possible. In order to create a home away from home, the pets residing at Rosedale Pet Resort will receive as much love as they would at home. As a pet owner myself, I understand how emotionally challenging it can be for an owner to leave their dog at a dog boarding facility. My personal experience with dog sitters as well as dog boarders has inspired me to create a place where I would feel good about leaving my own precious pets.

Puppy Boarding

Rosedale Pet Resort exists to provide your beloved pet with enriched boarding experience when you are away, by giving pets the things they need most. This includes safe socialization, personalized activities/exercise, and minimized stress.

Pets will always prefer real homes and outdoor play yards over warehouses and concrete. By their very nature, pets NEED proper socialization with people - not solitary confinement! I make every effort to ensure pet owners can relax knowing their pet is receiving wonderful care and socialization while they are away.

As part of my commitment to the safety and security of your pet in Pierce County, I am certified with the Fear Free pet methodologies. You can rest assured knowing that the property is fully fenced with multiple levels of security, and your pet will be monitored regularly to ensure they are acclimating well. 

While some kennels have "cage free" philosophies, I have deluxe "bunkhouses" for each pet to retreat. They have their own bedding, personal space, private play time, daily walks, and receive a complimentary bath. Each of these lends itself towards an enriched ‘dog-cation’ experience, in efforts to make their time here the least stressful for them as possible.

Every cat in our care has access to natural light and ample space to move around and partake in natural cat behaviors. They have weather permitting opportunities to enjoy the view from our "catios", so they can birdwatch in the fresh air. 

I don't believe in up-selling for human interaction or walks and basic medication administration is complimentary. 

There’s No Place Like Home… But when you have to be away, I want your pet to feel like Rosedale Pet Resort is it's home away from home. I can’t wait to meet you and your pets!

About Mel History

One of the Maltese Best In Show winners, bred by Melissa's family.

If you're from Gig Harbor, you may see Mel taking spirited runs with her dogs!

A Pet Boarding Facility You Can Trust.

I like to keep things simple at Rosedale Pet, so my rates are very simple. There's no extra charge for holidays, special diet preparation, socialization, or administering basic medication. My philosophy is to offer a standard of care that I would expect for my own pets. Reach out to me today!

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