A familiar site at the end near the end of Mount Comfort Road in Fayetteville is a large white building with a green roof. Inside, you will find some very happy dogs and cats, cared for by the amazing staff of Stone Chapel Kennel and Cattery.
Owner Jamie Wiese offers a full-service kennel with dog and cat boarding, doggie daycare, and grooming. Loving animals and ensuring their safety and care is a top priority for Wiese and her team. Grateful for a staff who is as dedicated to animals as she is, Wiese praised her staff for how well they are able to care for so many pets, saying, “I don’t think you could work here if you did not absolutely love animals.”
And, of course, the same can be said of Wiese. She herself would not own Stone Chapel if it wasn’t for a deep love of animals, that was originally developed at her grandparents’ farm in Ohio. Her grandfather kept horses, and her grandmother raised cocker spaniels, granting her an introduction to the care of animals early in life.
Even with an upbringing rich with animal experiences, Wiese said she never thought that her love of animals would turn into a business. Before starting Stone Chapel, Wiese worked for an insurance company. It wasn’t until she saw a need for a grooming and pet care business in her area that she began to dream of Stone Chapel. But as is the case in starting many new businesses, there were obstacles in the way.
First, she was told by county officials that she would need a conditional use permit to start the business in the location. Bothered by the idea of the business in the area, community members objected. “It was a long journey and a difficult fight, those two years,” she said. At the end, however, she received a call from the county’s attorney who informed her that dog boarding can be zoned as agricultural use and there would be no need for a conditional use permit.
Soon after, in 2020, Wiese had an open house event during the Super Bowl in February. With Spring Break coming soon, she booked Stone Chapel with pets that would be cared for during family vacations. Unfortunately, soon after, COVID-19 struck the U.S., and, like many businesses, Stone Chapel was affected by the restrictions. With many vacations canceled, Wiese said that Stone Chapel “dwindled to almost no boarding at all.”
Without her love of animals, Stone Chapel would not have been persisted through all the challenges. Because of her perseverance, Stone Chapel has flourished. Now, Stone Chapel offers boarding, daycare, training, as well as other accommodations for many pets in Fayetteville. “Around this area, we have all these neighborhoods where we can fill a need,” Wiese said. “And, I have the best customers in the world. They are so appreciative, and they feel like family, because we know their stories and their dogs’ stories.”
Despite the growth in business over the past few years, Wiese said that she always prioritizes quality over quantity. “We try and give dogs the individual attention they need…dogs can be like children with different personalities, quirks, stressors, and even friend groups,” said Wiese. "Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for your animal, so they can be as happy as possible while they are in our care. Every detail of our facility has been designed with your pet's comfort and safety in mind.”
Stone Chapel Kennel and Cattery contains spacious suites to fit preferences, indoor and outdoor play areas, and 100% staff supervision. With their highly trained staff, family members can be sure that their pet is personally cared for.
Speaking to Wiese, she continually used the word ‘dream’ to describe her position as owner of Stone Chapel. I asked her to clarify what that meant for her. “Owning a business, serving my community, and getting to come to work to be with my dog every day,” she said. “I started this all from a dream and didn’t know whether it was a good location or how to get through covid, so this is truly a blessing. The Lord has blessed me a lot.”
“We try and give dogs the individual attention they need…dogs can be like children with different personalities, quirks, stressors, and even friend groups,” said Wiese.
Wiese praised her staff for how well they are able to care for so many pets, saying, “I don’t think you could work here if you did not absolutely love animals.”