Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyra Neilly.
Hi Kyra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a child we had several animals, but the biggest impact came from our three big, sweet rescue dogs. I always wanted to help walk them, but they were bigger than me and I couldn’t hold them. When one of them unfortunately passed away, we got a corgi, Bella, who was a much better fit for a kid. I joined the youth development organization, 4-H, and quickly found my favorite group, dog training, and stuck with it from 9 years old through high school. I loved bringing Bella every week for obedience and showmanship training and competing at the County Fair each summer. Working with animals built my confidence and gave me a sense of purpose that has stayed with me to this day.
My freshman year of college, at CSUMB, I still had to earn money but knew I couldn’t commit to a big work schedule. So in April 2018, I started walking dogs in my free time. I’d done it for family friends before, but this was the first time it was real income. Eventually my partner and I moved to Colorado to live with family for a while, and I worked at an animal shelter there. It was my first real exposure to reactive dogs, and it broadened how I think about animal welfare and pet ownership.
After two years we came home to California and landed back in Monterey. I started taking clients again and got busy right away. After a year of building a client base, I felt ready to start the business officially. Everything I’ve learned about animal care over the years went into it, and my uncle has been a great business mentor throughout.
I’ve spent the last year perfecting the business and getting the foundation right. ReTreat Pet Services LLC now has insurance, bonding, workers’ comp, background checks, an employee handbook, and a lot of heart. I wanted to build this business as if we were already at the level of growth we want to get to. I’m sure we still have lots to learn and mistakes to make, but I just know that the little girl who fell in love with working with dogs at a young age would be so proud of where she is now and everything we’ve built.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been smooth but it has absolutely been worth it. College was a really rough time in my life and I struggled with my mental health. I love learning, but the classroom setting was overwhelming and it wasn’t working, so I left. That’s actually when things started to make sense. I moved back home and worked as a contractor for Lucy, who ran a local pet care business. She taught me the foundational pieces of how to start a business in this industry. I had always assumed I’d go to college, get the degree, get the job. I was never on that path, and once I stopped trying to be, I figured out what I actually wanted to do.
Getting there took a few more years. We ended up in San Diego for a stretch, living in our car. We took turns working, because we had our dog Zadie with us and couldn’t leave her alone for long. Early on we were barely making enough to eat, and we made sure she was fed even if we weren’t. When summer came and the heat wasn’t safe for her, we moved back to Monterey. It’s home, and the weather here is a lot kinder.
I started walking dogs again but we knew two incomes were what it would take to save up and qualify for a place. So after some careful planning, my partner went back to work and Zadie came with me on my routes. Every decision we made in that stretch worked around what she needed. After several months of both working, we got into our own beautiful apartment in September 2025. We’ve been here almost a year now and feel so grateful that our hard work paid off.
Going through all of that is a big part of why I run the business the way I do. I prioritize my team’s mental health and build a village where everyone supports each other. I aim for my people to be healthy and happy, so they can bring their full heart to all the care they provide.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ReTreat Pet Services LLC is a pet care agency on the Monterey Peninsula. We do dog walking, drop-in visits, extended drop-in visits, stand-in care, and adventure outings, across Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, Seaside, Marina, Del Rey Oaks, Sand City, East Garrison, and parts of Carmel Valley.
How our team is structured is what sets us apart. We assign each client a small team of 2 to 4 care providers who all know their pets, their home, and their routines. That’s their village, and it’s the same familiar faces every time. It also means we can cover a Tuesday walk or a two week trip and my team can take time off while still ensuring all client needs are met.
This structure is also what allows us to take on pets that require more specialized care. I’m the only one trained for behavioral cases right now, so availability is limited, but building a team that grows into that kind of work is exactly what I structured the business for. As someone with a reactive dog myself, it matters to me. We believe that every pet deserves a village, and that means every pet, not just every easy pet.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
There is so much to love about Monterey including the endless beauty and the cozy beach town lifestyle. But the best part about Monterey is that it is full of animal lovers. Dogs are part of daily life here, and people really do treat their pets like family.
The only downside to Monterey is the cost of living. So many people work so hard just to afford to live here. There are several factors driving up housing costs between limited supply, water rights, and how much of the housing here goes to tourism. Regardless, Monterey is my forever home and the ideal place for ReTreat to grow our village. If you’re looking for a pet care provider in the Monterey area, we hope you’ll consider joining our village!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://retreatpetservices.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/retreatpetservices?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ReTreat-Pet-Services-LLC/61592595180144/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/retreat-pet-services-monterey?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/retreat-pet-services/
