New River Kennels

New River Kennels

Up and down the West Coast, in offices and warehouses, home offices and kitchen tables, small businesses are flourishing. Development West Coast runs a nine-week programme called Co.Starters to equip aspiring entrepreneurs so they can turn ideas into action. Many of the businesses do not have a traditional store front, so in this series of Open for Business, the Greymouth Star and Development West Coast sample some of the emerging small enterprises that are helping shape the future.

Co.Starters graduate Paula Kerr and her partner, Murray Malloch, have recently launched a new business, offering quality, safe and secure canine boarding facilities. Their business, New River Kennels, specialises in the behavioral, wellbeing and personal needs of every dog.

The idea for New River Kennels came during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“We thoroughly enjoyed working together from home on our 10-acre lifestyle property and spending endless amounts off time with our many animals and beloved pets,” Paula said.

“I can only describe our home as a piece of paradise within a stone’s throw of both Camerons Beach and the banks of New River.

“This really got us thinking about ways to work from home while still working within an industry we are passionate about. For us as a couple it was about a lifestyle change while still being connected to the community in which we both live and serve.”

Paula has spent the last ten years as an Animal Control Officer and Pound Keeper for the Grey District Council, including six years’ volunteer work for the NZSPCA as the only local Animal Welfare Inspector for the West-Coast.

Despite her background in animal management and animal welfare, passion, and good business idea, Paula felt daunted about starting a new venture and was unsure what it would involve.

“I was concerned about the paperwork side of things like dealing with IRD, GST and accountants. I had no previous experience dealing with such agencies and the thought was a little daunting. I knew I had to get it right to make a go of things,” she said.

Before jumping into business Paula signed up for DWC’s Co.Starters business start-up and development programme.

“Co.Starters gave me the confidence within myself to approach people I probably would not have otherwise to talk about my business plans and ideas. It gave me the opportunity to learn new things that I had no knowledge about such as costings, pricing, and marketing.

“Co.Starters gave me the confidence and ability to believe in myself and that my business plans were achievable.”

Paula and Murray opened the new business in mid-April.

“New River Kennels has 12 cozy, warm and dry purpose-built inside kennels and runs available. This includes eight extra-large and four large kennels all designed with the comfort of the dog in mind along with the ease of handling and cleaning which was of upmost importance to us.”

“There is a strong focus on our Canine Quarantine and Disease Prevention Policy, Canine Management Handling of Dogs Policy and the Facility Hygiene Manual along with the Occupational Health and Safety Manual which are all designed by experts within the field who have vast knowledge about what works and what doesn’t work within the Industry.

“New River Kennels expects to raise your expectations and experiences within the kennel and boarding industry,” Paula said.

“Our goal is to grow the business and increase satisfied customers so that we can expand to offer additional services such as doggie day care and dog obedience training in addition to our overnight boarding establishment.”

For enquires, viewings or bookings contact Paula at New River Kennels on 027 802 2636 or drop in for a visit at 987 Main South Road, Camerons, Greymouth.

If you would like to register your interest in the nine-week Co.Starters business start-up and development programme contact DWC on (03) 769 7000 or events@dwc.org.nz