Meet Ashley – The Heart Behind Pets in the City
Lifelong Dog Lover | Experienced Pet Care Professional | Passionate Business Owner
Born and raised on the east side of Oahu, I always dreamed of working with animals—dogs in particular. That dream became a reality when I graduated from the University of Hawaii, Manoa Shidler Business College in 2012. As I was preparing to walk the graduation stage, another exciting opportunity presented itself—the chance to take over Pets in the City.
Having worked at Pets in the City since 2008, I knew this was more than just a job; it was my calling. With 15 years of experience in doggie daycare and dog handling and celebrating 13 years of ownership in 2025, my mission is clear.
What Drives Me?
My top priority is simple: happy dogs and happy pet parents. I believe in providing personalized care, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and creating a space where dogs get to be dogs. At Pets in the City, we go beyond basic pet care—our team is dedicated to making every tail wag and every visit feel like home.
Whether your pup is here for daycare, boarding, or just some extra playtime, you can rest easy knowing they’re in the best hands. Welcome to Pets in the City—where dogs rule, tails wag, and every day is a pawsome adventure!
Meet Kailey - Our Pet-Loving Superstar Manager at Pets in the City!
Dog Daycare Specialist | Animal Enthusiast | Experienced Pet Care Manager
Born and raised in sunny Hawaii, Kailey has always had a soft spot for animals. Her passion for pet care kicked off in high school when she started volunteering at the humane society, and she’s been hooked ever since. Now, with nearly 20 years of experience, she’s our go-to manager, making sure everything runs smoothly while keeping both pets and their parents grinning ear to ear!
With over 12 years of daycare experience and 2 years of pet nutrition knowledge, Kailey knows how to keep our furry guests happy, healthy, and totally wiped out by the end of the day (and yes, that means lots of playtime and snuggles).
When Kailey isn’t making magic happen at Pets in the City, she’s out adventuring with her energetic sidekick, Sundae – her 1-year-old Chihuahua mix who’s basically the daycare’s VIP. Whether it’s beach days, neighborhood strolls, or just soaking up the sunshine, these two are always on the go. And if you ask Kailey about her dream dog, she’ll tell you it’s the Welsh Corgi – because who can resist those little legs and big personalities?
Fun fact: Kailey once had 13 pets! From dogs and cats to mice, turtles, and even a pet duck – she’s truly a pet lover at heart.
Kailey’s favorite part of working with dogs? It’s the pure joy they bring into her life. There’s no bad day when you’ve got a wagging tail and a puppy face asking for attention!
If Kailey could sum up her job in three words, they’d be: Fun, Loving, and Full of Laughs – and she wouldn’t have it any other way!
Meet Rylee – The Kahala Pack Leader at Pets in the City!
Compassionate Leader | Skilled Pet Professional | Dedicated Pet Manager
At home, Rylee has two adorable fur babies: Madison, a playful Shih Tzu-Jack Russell mix who loves her sniff walks and snacks, and Dakota, a Golden Retriever-Cocker Spaniel mix who’s all about swimming and fetch. When she’s not hanging out with pups at work, you can probably find her outdoors—beach days, hiking, and traveling are her go-to adventures.
And fun fact? This island girl at heart still loves to ski!
Her favorite dog breed? King Cavaliers—because they’re the absolute cutest and have the sweetest, most loving personalities.
Meet Sarah – Our Senior Animal Care Attendant!
Senior Animal Care Attendant | Team Tail-Wagger Extraordinaire
Say Aloha to Sarah!
Meet Sarah, our Senior Animal Care Attendant, who traded the mainland for the Hawaiian sunshine! Sarah’s love for animals began at just five years old when she got her first dog, and it’s been a tail-wagging adventure ever since. With 5 years of experience in the pet care world, Sarah is living her dream, surrounded by wagging tails and happy paws at Pets in the City.
Sarah’s role is all about keeping things running smoothly and making sure every dog gets the care and attention they deserve. From feeding and walking to boarding and health checks, she does it all with a big smile. Her ability to stay organized and manage her time efficiently is key to ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. No task is too big or too small for Sarah—she loves that her day is full of dogs and smiles. It’s the perfect combination of hard work and fun!
Before joining us, Sarah gained tons of experience working at an animal shelter and doggy daycares, giving her the skills to handle pups of all shapes and sizes. At home, she has a pack of 6 dogs and 2 cats, so it’s safe to say she’s got her hands full with plenty of furry love!
Her job in three words? Caring, organized, pawsome!
Favorite dog breed? Dachshunds—those little legs and big personalities always win her heart.
Fun fact? Sarah’s a music lover! Whether it’s chill tunes or upbeat jams, there’s always a soundtrack to her day!
Meet Joy – The Calm in the Chaos of the Play Yard!
Animal Daycare Attendant | Skilled Pup Communicator | Trust-Building Pro
If you’ve ever seen a pup light up when the door opens—ears up, tail wagging, eyes full of excitement—it’s probably Joy they’re running toward! Born and raised in Kalihi, Joy didn’t originally plan on joining the pet care world. But sometimes, the best adventures start with a leap into the unknown, and now she can’t imagine life without paws and playtime! Unlike many who enter the pet care industry with a lifelong passion for animals, Joy was just looking for something new. What she found was a fulfilling, lively career she truly loves—a job that challenges her in all the right ways.
As our Animal Daycare Attendant, Joy is the calming presence and watchful eye that our pups rely on throughout the day. Whether it’s feeding time, playtime, or making sure every tail is wagging happily, Joy ensures each dog is safe, seen, and having the time of their life. From day one, Joy connected with the dogs like she’d known them forever. Whether it’s a high-energy floof or a shy new pup, she knows how to win them over with her natural ability to connect. Every day starts with wagging tails and tons of energy. Joy monitors behavior, keeps an eye on the pups’ well-being, and, of course, is always ready for belly rubs and kind words.
Creating trust and building relationships with each dog is where Joy’s heart is. That moment when a pup decides, “Yep, you’re my person today,” is everything. Outside of work, Joy doesn’t have her own pets yet, but her family dog visits from Waipahu every weekend, so her weekends are still full of furry snuggles.
Her favorite dog breed? Huskies! Joy has always loved them, and meeting Hachi, our resident fluffy heartthrob, on her first day was a dream come true.
Her job in three words? Fulfilling, lively, and challenging.
Fun fact? Joy once learned Japanese and still remembers a few words. So, don’t be surprised if she throws out a kawaii or two while working with the pups!
Meet Nate – The Shy Dog Whisperer at Pets in the City Hawaii!
Daycare Attendant | Dog Play Enthusiast | Future Comic Book Legend
Nate landed in Hawaii from L.A., and since October, they’ve been the go-to person at Pets in the City Hawaii for making pups feel right at home. Whether it’s zoomies with the Yorkies or winning over the shyest furballs, Nate’s playful spirit and patience make every dog’s day a total tail-wagging success!
At PITC, Nate’s superpower is turning nervous pups into confident cuddle bugs and keeping all the dogs entertained with games, belly rubs, and lots of love. Every day is a new adventure filled with furry friends and fun.
When Nate’s off duty, you’ll find them sketching comic heroes, reading graphic novels, or crushing it at video games—always dreaming up their next masterpiece.
Favorite pup pick? Yorkies, because tiny dogs + big attitudes = instant crush!
If you want your dog’s daycare experience in Honolulu to be full of fun, care, and wagging tails, Nate at Pets in the City Hawaii is the friend your furry pal has been waiting for!
Fun fact: Nate’s got four pets named after Star Wars legends—Lando, Sky, Darth, and Leia—so their love for dogs and epic stories goes way beyond the play yard!
Scott
Groomer
- Certified Dog Groomer from Wag My Tail Grooming school in Pasadena, California
- 15 years of dog grooming experience.
- He’s a part of the National Dog Groomers Association of America
- His favorite part of grooming is customer satisfaction. Seeing the dog owner’s eyes light up with happiness when they come to pick up their dog is the most rewarding.
Brian
Groomer
- Certified Dog Groomer from Wag My Tail Grooming school in Pasadena, California
- 15 years of dog grooming experience
- He’s apart of the National Dog Groomers Association of America
- His favorite part of grooming is the before and after transformation.