n the fast-moving world of pet care, where trends shift and client expectations grow even higher, Green Beagle Lodge has carved out a unique niche as both an industry innovator and a trusted neighborhood institution. And with two locations in North Carolina, the Lodge combines premium pet care with a steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility, employee development and an exceptional client experience.

In 2011, couples Tammy and Drew Purner and Margy and David Schmidt shared a vision of creating a pet resort unlike any other. They each brought unique strengths to the venture: Tammy manages projects and events, Drew oversees finance and facilities, Margy directs HR, recruitment and training, and David guides marketing strategy.

They chose the name Green Beagle Lodge because it reflects their philosophy. “Green” represents their environmentally responsible building and cleaning practices, “Beagle,” as both couples have owned Beagles, and “Lodge” helps capture a feeling of comfort and safety.

Their vision took shape in 2014 with the opening of their first purpose-built facility in Chapel Hill, followed by a larger, state-of-the-art second location in Pittsboro in 2022. Both Lodges were built from the ground up with green principles and sustainability in mind. Drew Purner designed the preliminary layout for their first location, incorporating the green aspects in the layout.

“We have rainwater harvesting systems that collect and store water for cleaning and toilet flushing,” explains David Schmidt. “We also have sun tunnels to bring in natural light, thereby reducing energy usage.

“In addition,” he continues, “we have over 50,000 sq. ft. of reclaimed turf, sourced from sports fields across the country that has been repurposed for our play yards.”

The Chapel Hill facility has five play yards with a total of 30,000 sq. ft. of turf and an 800 sq. ft. activity room. They have accommodations for 105 boarding dogs and 100+ dogs in daycare. Both locations also offer a wide range of training programs, including group classes, board and train, day training and in-home sessions.

At their newest facility, Drew designed improvements based on the operating experience at Chapel Hill. The Pittsboro Lodge has a capacity of 225 dogs per day between boarding and daycare with an 1100 sq. ft. indoor activity room and seven play yards with 20,000 sq. ft. of turf. They also have a zero-entry pool with a salt water to chlorine conversion and a splash pad with timed water features.

A lot goes into the grouping of dogs for daycare, including their size, temperament, play style, activity level, etc. And each dog wears a color-coded Velcro collar with their name, contact information and assigned playgroup. But first, the dogs must undergo a thorough assessment to even be considered for their programs.

“We require a four-hour, on-site assessment of each dog before they are accepted for boarding or daycare,” says Emily Feight, General Manager of the Pittsboro location. “That’s to make sure the Lodge is the right fit for the pet’s needs.

“We don’t do all-day play in our daycare,” she continues. “We have a structured rotation system, where the dogs rotate through different yards and activities and have planned rest periods in their own private enclosures throughout the day.”

One standout feature that elevates Green Beagle Lodge above many in the industry is its Pet Care Advisory Board, which includes the General Managers of both locations, Margy Schmidt and two veterinarians.

“The local veterinarians on the board act as counselors to us,” David shares. “We confer with them when anything in our facilities or the community needs their expertise. It’s another level of care and awareness for us.”

While pets are the heart of the business, their people are the backbone. With a staff of approximately 100, Green Beagle Lodge offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) company match, PTO, employee discounts, and ongoing education and professional development.

“Our Lodge Life principles consist of accountability, focus, teamwork, resilience, and passion—these are what we look for at the core of each candidate applying for a position at the Beagle,” Emily states. “New hires undergo an intensive nine-day orientation and training program, blending hands-on and online modules.”

“We are placing increasing emphasis into career growth for our employees,” David adds. “We are passionate about promoting from within, offering career advancement opportunities, and investing in future leaders.

“We are committed to being a learning organization,” he continues. “What we’re doing this year isn’t the same as last year—and that’s intentional. Innovation keeps things fresh for our team and our clients.”

In addition to the pets and their staff, client satisfaction is another pillar of the Green Beagle approach. Every touchpoint—from their drive-through drop-off to their streamlined check-in and check-out processes—is designed with customer convenience in mind.

Another invaluable resource for pet parents in The Owner’s Portal, which can be created on the Green Beagle Lodge website. Here they can create an account, book reservations, purchase packages, make payments and much more.

“To strengthen our connection with the pet owners, we have the Lodge Liaison team,” Emily explains. “They are our social media wizards. They post day-in-the-life photos of the pets as they play, send clients regular updates and photos of how their boarding pets are doing, and keep owners and followers abreast of all the happenings at the Lodge.”

Community involvement is also at the heart of Green Beagle’s mission. From sponsoring little league teams to participating in local events and fundraisers, the Lodge embraces its role as a neighborhood institution.

“It’s a big part of who we are and what we do,” Emily adds.

While dogs make up the bulk of their clientele, Green Beagle Lodge hasn’t forgotten their feline friends. Cats enjoy spacious, individual condos and supervised free time in a room equipped with climbing structures and windows with a view. The cat accommodations are completely separated from the dogs and have their own air handling systems, food prep area, and laundry area to ensure a calm and safe environment.

Green Beagle Lodge is preparing for the future, with expansion on the horizon—particularly as Disney is opening its second nationwide planned neighborhood, with 4,000 homes being built less than two miles from the Pittsboro location. This proximity places the Lodge in an ideal position to serve a growing, pet-loving community.

By combining environmental stewardship, operational excellence and unexcelled personalized care, the Green Beagle Lodge has cemented its niche in pet care hospitality. Their founding promise of being clean, green, safe and fun remains their guiding compass, and it’s made a huge difference—not just for the pets and their owners, but also for the communities they serve.