Residents of the small unincorporated rural community of Elk, in northern Spokane County, will soon have new boarding accommodations for their furry companions with the opening of Creekside Pet Lodge LLC, says owner and operating manager Alaina Hull.

“People are already booking reservations,” Hull says. “They’re so supportive … and happy they don’t have to go all the way into Spokane.”

Construction of Creekside Pet Lodge is currently underway at 6611 E. Oregon Road, on a 20-acre property about two miles east of U.S. Highway 2 and 30 miles north of downtown Spokane. Reservations are being accepted for lodging starting July 1, she says.

The total project cost is just under $400,000 and is being developed by Deer Park-based Tavnith HD LLC, Hull says.

The pet lodge is specifically designed for "country pets," Hull explains. Country pets are different, she contends; they are more focused on protecting their people and spaces and don’t do well being mixed in with other unknown animals, which is how many traditional pet boarding facilities function. The smells of other animals in their space and extra stimuli is not a peaceful place to leave country dogs who are not accustomed to mixing with others, she says.

As envisioned, the pet lodge will feature 10 private dog runs, each able to accommodate up to two dogs from the same household. Each dog run will offer an outdoor space with shade as well as indoor quarters separated by a small door. Dog guests will also have access to two outdoor play areas, each taking 1,500 square feet of space, Hull says.

The lodge will also feature six cat condos capable of boarding two felines from the same household, Hull says. The design for the cat condos has not yet been finalized, but each will likely feature two levels with space for litter on the bottom and play and rest areas on the upper levels, she says.

Additionally, because pets from different households are not mixed, there is no need for behavioral assessments, she says.

As the owner of a blind and deaf Catahoula hound named Olive, as well as a 5-year-old pit bull named Bella, and a 12-year-old black cat named Brutus, Hull and her wife have struggled to find a safe and appropriate place to board their pets, and have even forgone vacations due to the stress of not having anyone to available take care of them.

“This is a solution for dogs that haven’t been able to board before,” Hull says. “We are very mindful of creating a good, safe place for pets so owners don’t feel guilty or stressed and can enjoy their vacation.”