Women's Small Business Month Spotlight: Molly McAleer, Full Moon Kennels

For National Women's Small Business Month, we are spotlighting Molly McAleer, the owner of Full Moon Kennels, a dog grooming and boarding facility. 

Molly is rebranding Full Moon Kennels, previously a family-owned business, with a focus on providing high-quality, personalized care for every dog. The facility includes nearly 70 kennels dedicated exclusively to boarding, and Molly ensures each pet receives individual attention. She is making improvements, such as adding outdoor green spaces and modernizing the software systems, while also introducing online reservations to better serve clients. She plans a soft opening to help current customers transition smoothly.

Molly's passion for animals began over two decades ago, when she was inspired by a dog boarding business in Wapato, Washington. The couple who owned the business purchased a large plot of land with a barn, which they converted into a dog boarding facility with spacious, fenced-in play runs. Molly recalls driving over an hour to drop off her dogs, who loved the experience so much that they would head straight for the runs without looking back. This experience solidified her dream of owning a kennel, and now, as the owner of Full Moon Kennels, she is bringing that vision to life.

Molly's journey includes her fiancé, Tim. They first met while walking their dogs—Molly was walking her dog, Harvey aka “Moon,” and Tim, who was watching a friend’s dog from a nearby apartment, recognized Moon from seeing him through his window. Their shared love of dogs brought them together, and today they are engaged and have three dogs: Harvey “Moon,” Moses, and Franny. Tim brings his experience from working at several boarding facilities to Full Moon Kennels, complementing Molly’s leadership. Together, they also run Harmony Dog Rescue, a nonprofit they founded to offer temporary foster care for animals in crisis situations.

As they expand Full Moon Kennels, Molly and Tim have entertained several exciting ideas, including building small cabins on the property for "luxury boarding." They are also considering adding a pond and an agility course to further enhance the experience for dogs staying with them. These future plans reflect their commitment to providing the highest standard of care.

Although Molly continues to work full-time as a pharmacist, her commitment to creating a top-tier boarding experience remains strong. Full Moon Kennels is not just a business for Molly; it is the realization of a lifelong dream and a way to provide meaningful care to both animals and their owners.

If you would like to learn more about Full Moon Kennels, you can visit their website (coming soon!) at fullmoonkennels.com. You can get in touch with Full Moon Kennels by emailing fullmoonkennels200@gmail.com or calling 724-935-2185.

Visit Full Moon Kennels (currently Tan-Zar Kennels):

200 Mingo Road

Wexford, PA 15090

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