Profile of Success
Photos by Anchored Studios and Carla Duharte Photography
t all started when I got into recreational dog sports with my personal dogs,” says Mireille Hernandez, founder and owner of Furrtropolis, a thriving pet care facility in San Jose, California. “My dogs loved it and it was so fulfilling for me. I felt like part of a community with others who were participating in dog sports”
Mireille’s first business venture, Domestic Canine, provided boarding, daycare, board-and-train programs and private training lessons out of her home. Once her business took off, Mireille began to envision creating a facility that would offer all these services—and much, much more. That’s when her vision for Furrtropolis began to take shape.
Mireille wanted to expand and incorporate dog sports foundation programs into her daycare and boarding services, offering these activities daily while creating a space where the pet-loving community could connect.
Photos by Anchored Studios and Carla Duharte Photography
t all started when I got into recreational dog sports with my personal dogs,” says Mireille Hernandez, founder and owner of Furrtropolis, a thriving pet care facility in San Jose, California. “My dogs loved it and it was so fulfilling for me. I felt like part of a community with others who were participating in dog sports”
Mireille’s first business venture, Domestic Canine, provided boarding, daycare, board-and-train programs and private training lessons out of her home. Once her business took off, Mireille began to envision creating a facility that would offer all these services—and much, much more. That’s when her vision for Furrtropolis began to take shape.
Mireille wanted to expand and incorporate dog sports foundation programs into her daycare and boarding services, offering these activities daily while creating a space where the pet-loving community could connect.
“The big message of Furrtropolis is that we are focused on pet wellness as a whole—from physical and mental stimulation, to a healthy grooming experience, to nutrition, to continuous preventative care, holistic approaches, and more,” she continues. “I wanted to embrace different areas that promote an overall happy pet.”
As you enter Furrtropolis, you’re greeted by their boutique-style retail pet store, which showcases products from small business vendors—many of which are handmade or homemade and not typically found in big-box stores.
“On the grooming side, we are heavily connecting the gap between grooming and training,” says Mireille. “We’ve seen many pets who were nervous, scared, or had a bad previous experience.
On the grooming side, we are heavily connecting the gap between grooming and training. We’ve seen many pets who were nervous, scared, or had a bad previous experience. 
Furrtropolis prides itself in being a place where pet parents and sport and working dog handlers can connect. Training clubs and other groups can even rent space in the facility to hold classes and seminars. In addition, veterinarians have hosted pop-up events at the facility, providing services such as vaccines and fecal testing, and wellness therapists have offered pet reiki, acupuncture and massage therapy. Birthday parties and special events keep their space-rental calendar busy.
Every dog that signs up for daycare or boarding at Furrtropolis must go through an evaluation to assess how they adjust to a new environment. Mireille or another staff member speaks with the owner at length about the pet’s background and needs. Then, the dog stays for a half-day in daycare to observe how they interact in the environment and with staff members. All boarding dogs also participate in daycare during their stay.
“We work with different trainers who come onsite to work one on one with our daycare dogs,” Mireille says. “Our most popular training program is our Day Training program for both daycare and boarding dogs.”
Their website, www.furrtropolis.com, allows visitors to take an online tour of the facility, view available services and access the client center, where they can make reservations, update pet profiles and pay their bill. To boost their online presence, Mireille now has a dedicated social media person to help attract new clients.
To conclude, Mireille adds, “We envision a world where every pet enjoys a life of fulfillment and support through a thriving and connected community of passionate pet owners, sport/working handlers, and small business pet product providers.”
With the goal to be the premier destination that seamlessly integrates dog sports, training and exceptional pet care while fostering collaboration with other innovative small businesses, Furrtropolis is truly a pet oasis.
