After 18 years at the forefront of changing the way dogs are cared for while their owners are away, No More Kennels founder Rebeckah Vaughan is handing over the reins to begin an exciting new chapter – becoming a mum.
The Liverpool-born canine behaviourist and entrepreneur founded No More Kennels in 2008, initially caring for just five dogs from her home after deciding there had to be a more personal alternative to traditional boarding kennels.
Long before luxury dog hotels and home-from-home boarding became commonplace, Rebeckah was pioneering a very different approach to dog care – one built around the belief that dogs are part of the family and should be treated that way even when their owners are away.
What began with five dogs grew into a hugely successful luxury dog hotel licensed to care for up to 90, helping change expectations of what dog boarding could look and feel like.
Traditional kennel accommodation was replaced with proper bedrooms, human-sized beds, heating, TVs and home comforts, alongside play, enrichment, grooming, pampering and plenty of attention.
Rebeckah also made sure the dogs didn’t miss out on life’s celebrations, with Paws the Parcel, Christmas dinners, Easter egg hunts and birthday celebrations all becoming part of life at No More Kennels.
Demand grew significantly again following lockdown, when the surge in dog ownership during the pandemic was followed by people returning to work, travelling and taking holidays.
Many owners were looking for something beyond conventional kennelling, further accelerating demand for more personal, home-from-home dog care.
After 18 years at the helm, Rebeckah has now sold No More Kennels to Amanda Eley-Rixson, who had already worked within the business for more than a year and now owns and operates it independently.
For Rebeckah, handing over the business she created from scratch marks the end of an extraordinary era – but she couldn’t have a happier reason for doing it.
Rebeckah and her partner Jamie are expecting their first baby in December, as she prepares to fulfil her long-held dream of becoming a mum.
Rebeckah said:
“I was born and bred in Dingle and started out as a girl who simply loved dogs and wanted to give them the best possible care. I could never have imagined that looking after five dogs in my home would eventually become a luxury dog hotel caring for up to 90.
“When I started, I wanted to do things differently. I wanted dogs to have a holiday too – proper bedrooms and beds, home comforts, playtime, pampering and lots of love. We even had Paws the Parcel and Christmas dinner!
“I’m incredibly proud that we helped change people’s expectations of dog boarding. Some of the things we were doing 18 years ago seemed unusual at the time, but today home-from-home care and luxury dog hotels are much more familiar.
“No More Kennels has been a huge part of my life and I’m immensely proud of what I created, but I knew the time was right to pass the reins to Amanda and begin a completely different chapter.
“Jamie and I are expecting our first baby in December. For years I joked that the dogs were my babies and now I finally get to have my own real-life baby. Becoming a mum is what I want my life to centre around now and I couldn’t be happier.”
Rebeckah also credits Liverpool and its dog-loving community with playing a huge part in the No More Kennels story.
She added:
“Liverpool really got behind me. The local press followed our journey and dog owners recommended us to their friends and families. There is something very special about Scousers – we really do support our own – and I’ll always be grateful for that.
“Dogs will always be a massive part of my life and I’ll continue helping rescue dogs whenever I can.
“I’m incredibly proud of the paw print No More Kennels has left on the dog boarding industry. Now it’s time for my next adventure – and this time there’ll be two tiny feet rather than four paws keeping me busy.”
The move will allow Rebeckah to step away from the day-to-day running of the business and focus on family life after almost two decades devoted to building No More Kennels.
Her departure brings to a close a remarkable 18-year journey which saw a small home-based dog care business develop into one of the best-known names in luxury dog boarding in the region.
And while ownership has changed, No More Kennels will continue under Amanda’s leadership, building on the home-from-home approach which has been at the heart of the business since Rebeckah welcomed those first five dogs back in 2008.
For Rebeckah, meanwhile, a very different adventure is about to begin as she looks forward to welcoming her first child later this year.
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