K-9 Cottage: Limerick-Area Small Business Spotlight

LIMERICK, PA -- In our continuing series spotlighting local businesses around town, we sit down with Alison Miller von Czoernig, owner of K-9 Cottage.

Business: K-9 Cottage and A+ Obedience

Owner: Alison Miller von Czoernig

Website: http://www.k-9cottagepa.com/

Address: 3208 West Ridge Pike, Pottstown, PA 19464

Phone: 610-715-0649

What business are you in?

Dog Day Care and Socialization Training

Why start a business in the Pottstown/Limerick area?

"We opened our doggie doors a little over 2 years ago after years of dreaming and working to make that dream come true. The Cottage, named this because it describes what we stand for, is a building filled with fun and love. When a family enrolls at the Cottage, they become part of the Cottage family, and we all work together for the good of the dogs. The Limerick/Pottstown area was lacking a business like this with the many years of experience that the owner, Alison Miller von Czoernig has. As a local resident, and after having raised her two daughters here, it seemed the perfect place for her to put down some business roots. The passion for dogs that the owner possesses is really like no other. When a dog is ill, many times the owner will call for advice before seeing the vet, but definitely before making any major decisions. She has been known to go with clients to vet appointments to help the owner understand a diagnosis, or to handle a dog that acts aggressively when at the vet, or even for moral support. She has gone to middle of the night "house calls", as well as helping mourn with an owner when that owner has had to make the hardest decision of pet ownership."

What's the most difficult challenge you've faced as a business owner?

"The biggest challenge for the business was actually PRIOR to opening it's doors. Trying to convince the local officials that this business would be unlike other "kennel facilities" that they had had in the past proved quite difficult. They were used to kennels where the dogs barked all day long and where the facility may not have been maintained to the highest of standards. This facility is quite different from most facilities out there. We utilize the A+ Dog Training method of training as the way we keep the dogs in our care safe during their day."

What's been your proudest accomplishment since opening?

"One of the proudest moments we have experienced since we opened was when we were awarded the Montco Happenings List Best of 2016 for Best Pet Day Care. We are anxiously awaiting the results from the 2017 vote to see if we repeated again this year."

How does your business give back to the community?

"As a relatively new business, we take pride in the contributions that we make to our community. Without our community, we would not be here! Since before we even opened our doors, we have supplied the turkeys for the Community Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl, a donation that we look forward to continue making for years to come. We have sponsored many Limerick Township events as well as Pottstown's Bark for Life. Right now, we are very proud to be helping one of our Cottage family members raise money for the Olivet Boys and Girls Club through the "Kiss a Pig" Campaign."

Know of a local business or nonprofit that deserves the spotlight? Email us at justin.heinze@patch.com.

Image via K-9 Cottage