Mineola pet resort celebrates 10 years of dog, cat service

Rebecca Klar
Best in Show Pet Resort in Mineola recently celebrated it's tenth anniversary. (Photos courtesy of Best in Show Pet Resort)

Cats and dogs aren’t just boarded in kennels at Best in Show Pet Resort in Mineola – they’re treated like family, co-owner C.J. Bocklet said.

“We have a great staff and facility that gives them a platform they have everything they need to make sure the pets have a great stay,” Bocklet said.

Bocklet credits his staff and amenities as reasons for the pet resort’s success.

The Mineola business, located at 244 Herricks Road, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

For a while, Bocklet said, he didn’t know if the business would be successful.

The idea originated from veterinarian Dr. Raymond Polley, Bocklet said.

Bocklet said he was working on Wall Street when Polley first reached out to him about the project.

“He called me up and was like, ‘Hey, let’s do it,'” Bocklet said. “… And 10 years later it’s still going.”

Before starting on the venture Bocklet said he had never heard of a pet resort.

“I’d heard of kennels, but its more than a kennel,” Bocklet said. “It’s about playtime, it’s Disney World for the pets.”

Bocklet said he and Polley flew around the country looking at different upscale kennels.

There were so called pet resorts in states such as Texas and Florida, but there was a need in the local area for a “quality place where the dogs are treated like family,” said Jess Lupo, lodging coordinator.

In addition to pet lodging, Best in Show also offers daycare, grooming and a training program.

Dogs and cats also have playgrounds and social time.

From left, Kate Polley, Dr. Raymond Polley, Assemblyman Tony D’Urso, Kimball Bocklet, and CJ Bocklet at the Best in Show Pet Resort tenth anniversary celebration.

Activity is mandatory, but customers choose what level of activity they want their pets to get.

The pet resort also has monthly events, such as a Puppy Bowl by the Super Bowl and an upcoming Fourth of July event, that raise money for animal charities, Bocklet said.

At the recent anniversary celebration, the pet resort had a pet adoption center and sent money to no kill shelters, Bocklet said.

Bocklet and Lupo both have pets of their own, one and three cats, respectively.

Thought at times it seems like they each have 180 pets, Bocklet said.

The customers, pets and workers at Best in Show are all like one “big extended family,” Bocklet said.

Lupo said some workers get so close to the animals, it feels like they’re their own.

“All the pets that come here it’s almost like i have all those dogs,” Lupo said. “I get to interact with them and build a relationship with them and their owners.”

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