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Zookeepers Go From Lions To Pack Of Dogs

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Kendall Duncan, left, and Angie Frazier, owners of Canine Cabana, a new boarding kennel and day care for dogs, relax with four of their furry friends. The two women formerly were zookeepers at Busch Gardens.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

RIVERVIEW - For 13 years, Kendall Duncan got up every morning and headed to Busch Gardens, where she and her friend Angie Frazier worked with lions, tigers and all sorts of other exotic animals.

But as of May 1, they went to the dogs.

On that day, Duncan, 34, and Frazier, 33, opened Canine Cabana, a day care and boarding facility for dogs at 9708 Carr Road.

"We're still taking care of animals, but we've simplified things," said Frazier, who lives in Riverview. "We wanted to be closer to home, to our children and to tie in our work with doing something for the community."

"We enjoyed working at Busch Gardens," said Duncan, a Brandon resident. "But dogs are our favorite animals, and having our own business so close to home is a perfect fit."

The women began researching several years ago, determining a need in the Riverview area for a kennel and day care. Next, they wrote their business plan, which took some doing, Frazier said, because they had no business experience.

"So we took SBA Small Business Association and SBDC classes Small Business Development Center classes at USF and got some small-business counseling before going forward," she said.

The community's response has been incredible, Duncan said.

"We're thrilled. The interest has been huge," she said. "We're having so much fun."

They're not the only ones who are thrilled.

Christy Zoellner of Lithia enrolled her 9-month-old Jack Russell terrier, Milo, the day Canine Cabana opened. She said the pup can't get enough of the place.

"It's fulfilling all his exercise needs, which are considerable," she said. "He's got so much energy but by the time I pick him up, he's absolutely pooped. By the time I get out onto Carr Road, he's usually asleep in my lap.

"And he can't wait to get there in the morning. He scratches at the door and whines all the way over. Milo just loves it."

At 5,000 square feet, Canine Cabana has 20 kennel runs and a 2,000-square-foot indoor, air-conditioned play area. There's also a 2,500-square-foot covered patio and about an outdoor play area.

Boarding costs $22 a day. For an additional $10 a day, dogs can be enrolled in day care, where they join other pets in free-roaming activities. Otherwise, they are exercised outdoors three times daily.

Day care costs $22 per day or $15 for a half-day. Discounted packages are available.

Owners complete a multi- page evaluation form, and pets are visually evaluated for a day before officially enrolled.

"We have to be sure they get along with other dogs and the people who work here," Duncan said. "We want to be sure all the dogs are safe, sociable, and mentally and physically OK.

"If we have to, we'll turn a dog away," Frazier said. "We don't like to, but we will."

"This is a fun place to leave your dog," Duncan said as she walked among a flurry of wagging tails. "It's summertime, and people are going on vacation. When dogs stay here, they're on vacation, too."

CANINE CABANA

WHAT: Canine boarding kennel and off-leash day care

OWNERS: Kendall Duncan, 34, and Angie Frazier, 33

WHERE: 9708 Carr Road, Riverview

HOURS: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; boarding pickup/drop-off from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. weekends

EMPLOYEES: Paige Graham, 14; Samantha Bednar, 21; Michele Crimella, 28; Katie Perez, 29

INFORMATION: (813) 672-WOOF (9663) or

www.caninecabana.biz

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 731-7459 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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