Melissa’s Menagerie moves to larger space and plans to convert the former pet boarding into an animal shelter

In less than two years, Melissa’s Menagerie surpassed its space in Shawnee.

Owner Melissa Henderson plans to move her doggy day care and pet boarding to a new space across the street; the new facility is approximately five times the capacity of the existing 1,850 square foot space.

While the current space at 11015 W. 75th St. reaches a capacity of 55 dogs and 10 cats, the new space could accommodate up to 250 dogs and 25 cats.

Henderson hopes to open the new space at 7436 Nieman Road in January 2019.

She said she was also excited about the indoor dog play area at the new facility, as well as dedicated offices for humans like her.

“Right now it’s difficult; if it’s raining, if it’s snowing, they can’t be out that much and use up their energy, ”said Henderson. “We’re going to have so much space inside, they can run all their runs and play inside.”

Melissa’s current menagerie space includes three indoor playrooms. This new space, on the other hand, is so much bigger that Henderson hasn’t quite set up the layout yet.

“It’s a huge area; we haven’t divided it into playrooms yet, so we’re still working on that, ”she said, adding that she was planning to have a completely separate area for the kennels. The new kennel space alone will be almost the size of the current facility, she said.

Melissa’s menagerie also plans to keep a boarding room for cats.

In total, she hopes to double her workforce to 19 after the transition.

Henderson started her business about four years ago as a pet sitter and dog walker. She has worked for a veterinarian, an animal shelter, and a dog washing and obedience school. Then, in June 2017, she opened the current daycare.

Her passion is animal rescue, which is why she plans to continue offering all shelters a 50% discount on board and daycare, “which I think is one of the biggest keys to our growth so fast, ”she said.

In fact, she also plans to convert the current space into an animal shelter. Once the new facility opens, she will focus on new plans for the shelter, which she hopes to open by February.

“It’s going to be amazing to have both because like I said rescue is my real passion,” said Henderson. “I love the child care and boarding industry; I love animals, but I want to be able to help a lot more animals with special needs, older animals, animals that just need a second chance.