Farms Do No Harm: Volume VIII – Primrose Lane Farm

A nontraditional stretch of protected agriculture, yet one fulfilling an important need for wholesome care of fur kids, makes its name known in Spring City through the fourteen acres of Primrose Lane Farm.

Back in July of 2003, husband and wife John and Kristin Murray opened their pet boarding and doggie day care operation at 766 Bethel Church Rd., provoked into the idea after a bad experience when one of their dogs became almost deathly sick at a kennel where the staff didn’t seem troubled about their serious concerns. A veterinarian told them another day at the kennel would have been lethal.

But John pointed out that a lot has changed across the kennel and pet boarding industry since then, for the better.

The two also found it important to set a good example for their children, keeping them close to a reverence for nature and the benefits of regular time spent around animals, including horses, donkeys, chickens, peacocks and ducks, with them as active as 4-H members.

“Children learn by example, and ours see us treating both people and animals well,” Kristin said.

The Murrays believe their business and lifestyle is helping to lead Grace, 12, Bryce, 10 and Aiden, 6, to grow into smart and considerate adults.

The pets are now considered not separate, but instead, a part of family units in households, more cherished and esteemed for the psychological good they do in our lives.

“They’re a part of our family now, and people’s evolution of thinking has changed,” Kristin said.

Before the Murrays began working with pets professionally, the way of their hearts kept them habitually taking in rescued animals; they even have a rescue from Louisiana because of overpopulation, less spaying and neutering down south and eventual after-effects of Hurricane Katrina—Mojo, a Chihuahua mix, is a friendly model of that in their home.

Kristin estimates that since the beginning, Primrose Lane Farm has been the temporary home to around 18,000 dogs, with many from around the area but a handful of them from Philadelphia, and some even from out of state because owners moved away and only trusted the Murrays to care for their pets.

At any given time, Primrose Lane Farm has around 10 to 25 dogs on-site with assistance from four part-time employees, in addition to John and Kristin’s efforts. Each dog has three healthy-aired walks around the property daily and supervised play time with fellow guests.

The farm is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

A nursery on the second floor of the barn even has a cozy home-like area with a television and music for those canines who find the sounds to be reminders of comfort from their usual routine. Cats stay in the nursery, too.

“Dogs go home happy, healthy, and not stressed,” Kristin said. “Some dogs get urinary tract infections from being afraid to pee in an unfamiliar place, stressed and not eating, at certain kennels.”

This is far from a problem at Primrose Lane Farm, as dogs are given the opportunity to be outside as much as possible and enjoy socialization amongst their furry population.

“We’re different from a traditional kennel,” Kristin said. “People appreciate that it’s more set up like being at home, with close personal interaction involved.”

And for the rare instances when a dog doesn’t seem to fit in well at the farm, John and Kristin are grateful to have resources which usually better suit the pets, including pet-sitters and dog-walkers to recommend to the owners.

“Some people think ‘My dog is going to have a horrible time,’ but no, they’re not,” Kristin said in noting a misconception held by those who project their own feelings onto their pets.

In fact, the dogs usually love running around with their fellow fur kids and are content during kennel stays in the barn.

“We put so much of ourselves into this,” John said. “Giving clients peace of mind is rewarding, and they really appreciate that they can go on vacation or away for business, not worrying about their pets.”

Some clients email or call regularly to check in on their dogs, with John and Kristin giving them updates on what the fur kids have been up to while at Primrose Lane Farm.

“It’s a tremendous source of satisfaction to know that the dogs are safe, happy, healthy and playing in the countryside,” Kristin said.