Happy Tails Pet Retreat is owner Nichole's dream come true. As a native Delawarean Nichole knew she wanted a career taking care of animals. As a child she adored her family pets and thrived on the responsibility of caring for them. Growing up Nichole would always help to find homes for stray animals and would save every insect that crossed her path. She began volunteering at a local animal hospital in high school and also worked at a boarding kennel. After acceptance into the University of Delaware, Nichole continued to stay active in animal studies; it was in college that Nichole became an advocate for animal rights. During her sophomore year of college she became a vegetarian and joined the group PAW (People for Animal Welfare). The members were able to rescue many mistreated animals from neighboring pet stores and helped raise money to support the SPCA's efforts in its trap and release program. With family and friends knocking down her door to watch their animals while they were away. In 2006, Nichole started her own pet sitting service calling it Happy Tails Pet Sitting Service. Going door to door with flyers and homemade business cards for several months finally paid off and Nichole began pet sitting full time. With the success from pet sitting, Nichole researched boarding kennel design and construction along with animal care management. After finalizing a business plan along with designing not only a beautiful facility on the outside, but creating a safe and functionable full service retreat, she teamed up with local custom builder W.T. Wilson, Inc. to bring it to life. Happy Tails Pet Retreat opened on April 10th, 2009. “The unconditional bond I share with my pets reminds me everyday that there is no other career out there for me. This job is both amazingly satisfying and challenging; I can't wait for what the future has in store, I am devoted to the very end". To this day, Nichole is still a vegetarian, stops to save turtles and any bug that crosses her path.

"We don't own the planet Earth, we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife." — Steve Irwin

Nichole lives with her two children, and of course their furry, four-legged, crew. Piper, Sophia, and Ginger. Anyone who has been to the kennel knows Ginger. She was found, along with her 6 kittens in 2012. The poor thing had been living under debris in the cold of winter. She was skin & bones, but just the friendliest l ittle thing. Ginger was given shelter, medical care and was even spayed. Her kittens were put up for adoption through the SPCA kitten program, but Ginger decided Happy Tails was her home :)

In Remembrance:
Losing a pet is one of the hardest things in life. They grow with us; they see us at our worst and at our best. Through all of life’s milestones and everything in between. I was lucky enough to see two make it to 20, most lived their fullest lives, and one that passed too soon. I was fortunate to be present till the very end with each. I miss them all dearly.

-From one pet lover to another, Nichole

Brodie Simon Sabrina Charlotte Stewart Sable