After a decade working in veterinary medicine, I'd seen too many animals stressed and sick from poor boarding conditions. In 2014, I built the lodge I wished had existed. Ten years later, it's still guided by the same principle: treat every animal like it's your own.
— Sarah Callahan, Owner & Founder
Everyone on our staff completes a 40-hour training program before working with animals. No exceptions.
12 years as a licensed veterinary technician before founding Wagging Tails. She still does morning rounds on every boarding pet, every day.
Marcus has been with us since year one. He's a certified animal behaviorist who specializes in fearful and anxious dogs. If your dog is nervous, Marcus is your guy.
Certified master groomer with 8 years of experience. Dani works with all coat types and is especially patient with dogs who find grooming stressful.
Plus 6 more full-time caretakers and 2 part-time trainers on our staff.
We encourage tours before booking. Come see the suites, the play yards, and the cat lounge in person.
We don't have one-size-fits-all answers. Different pets need different things, and we're honest about that.
Our daycare groups max out at 12 dogs. Our boarding staff ratio is 1:8. We're not trying to run a high-volume operation — we're trying to give individual animals the care they need.
We offer structured suite boarding for dogs who do better with a private space and defined routine. We also offer open-room options for social dogs who want to be in the mix. Neither is better — it depends on the dog.
If your pet has a rough day, we'll tell you. If they're not eating, you'll get a call. We'd rather have an uncomfortable conversation than send you home an animal we weren't upfront about.
These aren't just policies. They're the things we actually do every single day.
Every new dog goes through a 20-minute supervised meet-and-greet before joining any group. If it's not a good fit, we find another solution.
We verify current vaccine records for every pet before their first stay. Dogs need rabies, distemper, and bordetella. Cats need FVRCP and rabies.
Every morning, each boarder is checked for appetite, energy levels, coat condition, and behavioral changes. Sarah reviews any flags personally.
We have a direct line to Nashville Animal Care Clinic. In the event of any medical concern, we contact your primary vet first, then proceed as needed.
All suites are cleaned and disinfected between every guest. Play yards are sanitized daily. We use pet-safe disinfectants throughout.
A trained caretaker is on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No automated systems, no "check in later in the morning."
We maintain an active relationship with Nashville Animal Care Clinic for emergency situations. We also coordinate with your primary veterinarian when handling medications or special health conditions. You can list your vet's contact on your pet's profile and we'll reach out directly in case of any concern.