Northern Paws Pet Lodge treats all pets like theirs

By Julia Wolf

When Ashley Heerde and her husband, Alex, learned the owners of Northern Paws Pet Lodge, north of Cadott on State Hwy. 27, were ready to step down, they decided they wanted to take over the business.

“Our dog, Stapleton, he loves this place,” said Ashley. “He comes to work with me. I think if we didn’t buy it, he would be devastated.”

Ashley worked at the lodge for four years, before the Heerdes bought the business Dec. 3. Now, Ashley runs the business, with the help of 10 or so employees.

“It takes a lot to make it go ’round,” said Ashley, adding it is a 24/7 type of job.

The previous owners have also continued to work at the lodge, which Ashley says has been a huge help.

Ashley says she is excited to be there, and keep the same care pets and their families have come to expect. She says they have run the pet lodge much the same as the previous owners and really only made one major update.

“We just remodeled the bathing room here, because it was a really old tub and stuff,” said Ashley, adding the new setup has been convenient.

Ashley says they currently do not offer grooming services, but do give a complimentary bath to dogs who stay for six or more days at a time.

The business has 31 dog rooms altogether – 24 standard rooms in the East and West Pines wings, and seven suites for well-behaved and house-trained dogs.

The suites also have TVs in the room for the pets and a raised bed.

Food and water dishes are provided, along with a blanket, though Ashley says families are always welcome to bring bedding that smells like home. The building also has in-floor heat to make the space more comfortable for the pets.

There is also an 11-acre outdoor play area for dogs. All dogs are put outside on a rotation, so they have some time to use the bathroom and play with a staff member for a bit. Dogs are not intermingled with others from outside their household.

“Everything is fenced in, so that makes it nice,” said Ashley of the play area, adding there is a smaller fenced in yard for smaller dogs, or for when a dog first arrives.

Beyond overnight lodging, Northern Paws also offers daycare for dogs to hang out for the day.

There are six cat condos and they also get time to explore, with an indoor playroom for the felines to take turns visiting.

Northern Paws also boards other animals, such as birds, ferrets and bunnies. Reptiles are currently not accepted.

The pet lodge has a Facebook page, where Ashley says they try to share pictures of the pets who stay with them, so their families can see them.

“We really try to treat them like our own,” said Ashley.

To request reservations for lodging or daycare, visit northernpaws.com or call 715-289-4244.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="242"] Ashley Heerde and her husband, Alex, took over Northern Paws Pet Lodge, north of Cadott, Dec. 3. Ashley says they are running the business with the focus of keeping the same care families have come to expect, treating each pet like their own. Photo by Julia Wolf[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="242"] One of the few changes Ashley Heerde and her husband, Alex, made when they took over Northern Paws Pet Lodge, was remodeling the bathing area. Ashley says the tub was older and the upgrade has been convenient. Photo by Julia Wolf[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="115"] Northern Paws Pet Lodge is a favorite place of Stapleton Heerde, dog of the new owners. Stapleton frequently goes to work with his owners and visits the business. Submitted Photo[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="365"] There are large, fenced in areas for dogs to play, at Northern Paws Pet Lodge. Cats aren’t left out, with an indoor room filled with things for them to explore. Photo by Julia Wolf[/caption]