At the front desk of the StarLite Pet Motel & Daycare, owner Katie Olson welcomes pups and their humans.
Pups have a large activity area to socialize and play.
By Michael Stein
Enter StarLite Pet Motel & Daycare on Highway 10 east of Dilworth and it might take a moment to realize you’re in a place that boards dogs. The service desk and surrounding space is designed in a spacious, somewhat retro style that welcomes pups and their humans in a warm and calm environment.
Owner and manager Katie Olson said the motel is set up to “provide a safe, fun and stimulating social environment for dogs.” A Grand Forks native, Olson operated Petopia for several years before moving to Fargo-Moorhead where her fiancé resides.
“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do right away because I didn’t think opening a business was possible yet,” Olson said. In early 2024, she was put in contact with local developers who were actually looking for somebody who could open and run a dog daycare. “So. it was kind of meant to be. We got things started and had the building up and ready in less than a year, so it’s been pretty awesome.”
The business is located close to the StarLite Motel, a long-time Highway 10 fixture. That building was modified and renovated prior to construction of the pet motel, which was completed in November 2024. Olson and the development group emailed back and forth about a name before someone suggested linking it to the existing motel.
“Most everyone knows about the StarLite Motel,” Olson said. “I tried to stick with the vintage, retro theme and I think it’s worked very well. We’re pretty proud of how it turned out. I didn’t want it to seem like the typical dog daycare. I really wanted it to kind of feel and look different, and so far I think it’s gone very well.”
Olson said the requirements to board a dog at StarLite are consistent with other area businesses. The pup must be at least 16 weeks old, be up to date on vaccinations, and spayed/neutered if over six months old. Owners generally bring their own food, and boarding staff are trained to administer medications.
“We’re really big on socialization here,” Olson said, adding that mental and physical stimulation is vital for dogs. “Even if they’re here a couple times a week and learning how to socialize, that’s great for them. But if any inappropriate behaviors occur or if a dog is in heat they will not be allowed to board.”
First-timers not used to being around other pups may be reluctant to interact at first. “We’ve gotten dogs at that first were very skittish, very scared their first couple of times coming here,” Olson said. “But before you know it they’re running around and interacting and making best friends. That’s one of the most rewarding things we see. It’s really fun to watch the friendships that develop.”
The “daycare” part of the name is literally just that. Some clients bring their pups in just for their working day. Otherwise, the duration is anywhere from overnight to over two weeks.
“Our average stay is Friday to Sunday,” Olson said. “But it’s whatever people need. We can hold up to 120 dogs but never have that many at one time. We have a lot of space for them to run around, plus the outdoor dog park.”
Olson said a typical staffing ratio for boarding places is around 15 to 20 dogs per staff member. “We are well over that in terms of staffing. We have two full-time staff members and the rest are part-time.”
The prerequisites for hiring are pretty straightforward: “You have to be a dog lover; you have to have patience and have a true passion to work here,” Olson said. “I’ve heard some people say that this must be such a fun job. Yes, but you are in charge of other people’s pets, and you have to make sure they’re safe and well cared for.”
Olson and other staff are on-site until about 7 p.m. “Then I return for a final let-out and then I’m back about 6:15 a.m. We have cameras for security purposes, so I check on them regularly. They’re quite active during the day, so when I do check on them at night they’re all snoozing away.”
Owners can check in on their pets via SnapChat videos. “That has been a huge hit,” Olson said. “We have people who don’t even own dogs that follow us on Snapchat. Our staff people are great at posting pictures and videos throughout the day. It provides peace of mind for our clients. I emphasize communication, so we try to pay attention to behaviors and keep owners in the loop about anything that might be going on with the dogs and their behavior.”
Olson said the challenges of starting a new business and putting in long hours are offset by the rewards. “Of course, there are issues typical of what goes along with owning and starting a business. But I wouldn’t change it. I love it and I’m lucky to be here.”
