Selkirk Kennels 30 Years of Trusted Dog Boarding
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Built on consistency, with families returning year after year
By Like Media Team
Tim and Wendy Bertling opened Selkirk Kennels in Moyie Springs thirty years ago, just minutes from Bonners Ferry. They started small, grooming dogs out of their house while raising their kids.
Looking back, Wendy says, "It was a way for me to be home with my kids but also help provide for our family. Then it turned into something much bigger than I expected."
The boarding kennel came next, and from there it expanded into a full operation at 120 Selkirk Street. The approach, though, has stayed the same. It is built around paying attention to each dog.
When dogs arrive, they are greeted at the door and led straight to the play yard to run while the team sets up each kennel with beds and toys from home. Each dog's routine is shaped by what that animal actually needs, whether that means heavy play sessions, quiet downtime, or socializing with other dogs. Wendy and her team let each dog set the pace. Some want constant activity. Others need space. The team pays attention and adjusts.
New options are coming this year, including a scent room where dogs can hunt for hidden items using their noses. A treadmill gives high-energy dogs extra run time beyond the play yard. The team also adds variety with neighborhood walks and car rides, especially for longer stays.
All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations before arrival. No exceptions. Keeping illness out of the facility is a priority. "We prioritize making sure that we surround the dogs with things that make them comfortable," Wendy says. That includes confirmed vaccination records and kennels set up with each dog's own belongings.
For dogs with higher needs or owners who worry, the team sends regular updates. A photo or a quick note about their day. Whatever puts the owner at ease. That consistency has turned many clients into close friends over the years.
"We are very blessed to have the trust of our clients to care for their pets," she says.
Some families have trusted Selkirk Kennels with their pets for months at a time.
One stay stands out. A female St. Bernard arrived for a three-month stay. No one, including the owners, knew she was pregnant. A couple of weeks in, she gave birth to eight puppies. The team cared for the mother and all eight pups for the remaining two months. Her kids were young at the time and came out to the kennel every day to play with them.
She does not take the business's longevity for granted. "I feel so blessed that it's made it this long," she says. The business has stayed relevant by continually learning and improving. How the kennel operated in the early days looks very different from how it operates now, and she is still finding ways to improve it.
Rather than competing with other boarding facilities in Boundary County, Wendy maintains strong relationships and refers clients to kennels she trusts when her own schedule is full. When asked what sets Selkirk Kennels apart, the answer is simple: consistency. Families come back with their second and third dogs to the same place their first one stayed.
Looking ahead, the goal remains unchanged. Selkirk Kennels is known for attention to detail and genuine care for every animal that comes through the door. A true home away from home, built over three decades by Tim, Wendy, and their team.
Selkirk Kennels
120 Selkirk St.
Moyie Springs, ID
208.267.7860
Instagram.com/selkirk_kennels Check out more business spotlights here!
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