Protect what you've built. Plan what comes next.
Houndry is a team of experienced operators who run pet-care businesses every day. So when you talk to us about planning ahead, or one day stepping back, you're talking with people who understand the team, the clients, and the work behind what you've built.
We've spent decades building, operating, and growing pet-care businesses.
Not analysts with a spreadsheet. Perfected a route only to lose the anchor client. Perfected the team, right up until the most irreplaceable walker gave notice. Felt the gut-punch of a one-star review from that client who was never going to be happy. We've lived it.
Preserve what matters. Carry it forward.
The best pet-care businesses are built on trust, strong relationships, and great teams. When a business becomes part of Houndry, we protect what made it work: the people, the clients, the reputation. Then we invest in helping it grow from there.
Sometimes that's the right next chapter. Sometimes it isn't. Either way, you'll get an honest read from people who've been there.
Starting is simple.
Start a conversation
A relaxed, confidential first call. No commitment, no pressure.
We learn your business
Your team, your clients, your goals, and what matters most to you.
Understand your options
A clear, practical read on where things stand and what’s possible: growth, planning ahead, or a sale.
Hear from owners whose brands we carry on.
I'm most proud of what happened to my team. The key people who were with me are still here, and Jamie, who was my Operations Manager, is now the General Manager for all Houndry's Chicago brands. Watching her take on that kind of responsibility is exactly what I'd hoped for. Another person from my team, Shannon, who was my scheduler, now works on projects across the Houndry platform as part of the corporate team. Houndry didn't just keep my people, it gave them the opportunity to grow.
Honestly, I didn't know how anyone could take over my business. It felt like something only I could run. But Houndry worked with me to document how everything actually worked, and kept the business running true to its roots even as it became part of a bigger platform. What I thought was impossible turned out to be very doable in the right hands.
I'd spent a long time talking with another buyer in our market, and it never came together. That whole experience soured me on the idea of selling. Then a competitor I trusted introduced me to Houndry, and I agreed to meet them in person. Right after that, the deal started to take shape and got done quickly, without any of the pain of the one that never happened.
Brooklyn Bark was my baby, an award-winning business grounded in safety, culture, and real care. When I decided to move on, I couldn't just sell to the highest bidder; our safety systems and our culture weren't for sale. Houndry got that. They took the time to learn everything about Brooklyn Bark, and one of the first things they did was invest in new safety gear for everyone. That's when I knew they got it. They didn't change things to fit their model; they kept what was working and took it further. I see my team thriving, exactly what I hoped for.
My biggest concern was that Swifto is really a tech company. I had no idea how a dog-walking business was going to manage the technology. It quickly became clear they had the capabilities in-house to handle it. Even a year later, the admin team, the developers, and the key people are all still working alongside the Houndry team every day. I'm excited to watch the business keep succeeding.
Led by operators who've been where you are.
Houndry is led by operators who've built, run, and acquired pet-care businesses, and a few of us have sold our own. We've made the same decisions you're weighing now.
Joshua Stine CEO & Partner 
John McCallum Partner 
David McCallum Partner Katie Pape VP of Operations Just joined a Houndry company?
If your company recently became part of Houndry, welcome. Here's who we are and how we work.
Let's talk about what's next.
Whether you're years from any decision or just want an experienced perspective from people who run these businesses too, we're here when you're ready.
Contact us