Kat Harrell

“Dog-Gone” Good Days

story by KJ NALLY
photos by SUSAN DELOACH

Kat’s Dogs is a business that’s more than just something to “bark at,” it’s changing the way people care for their furry friends. Kathleen ‘Kat’ Harrell started her grooming salon with “a leap of faith and some dog-gone good grooming knowledge,” says Kat. Kat’s Dogs is also known as the Kitty and Canine Resort in Beaufort. In June 2014, Kat started the pet-loving business out of a small rented room in Burton. Supported by loyal patrons on her journey, Kat now operates in a building on bustling Parris Island Gateway.
Kat explained, “Aside from my obvious admiration of pets and the people who love them, I wanted to give fellow animal lovers an opportunity to work somewhere that gives them purpose and makes them proud to be in the animal care field.”
More than a grooming salon, Kat and her amazing “Krew” also have a daycare for play and lodging and a holistic boutique where you can find a wide assortment of fun toys, delicious dog foods, care products, hip and joint care, natural anxiety solutions, collars and leashes, gourmet treats, and grooming merchandise to spoil your furry babies.
Pet owners can bring their dogs for 5-hour half days or 10-hour whole days of play. Also, play packages of 15 or 30 days are available that can be used as half or whole play days. A few things to consider for play dates or lodging: all dogs must be at least 16-weeks of age, have updated shots, and complete an evaluation from one of Kat’s Dogs’ employees. “It’s our passion to care for your pets like family,” says Kat.
Kat’s Dogs has many grooming services with an advanced level of knowledge, care and efficiency to help you provide the best groom possible to suit your pets’ needs. The word “groom” refers to the upkeep and maintenance of a pet’s well-being and appearance. According to Kat, grooming is as essential to the health and well-being of your pet as it is to you. “Don’t hesitate to ask questions,” Kat encourages pet owners, “we want to be able to serve you and your pet with the best grooming services possible.”

The “Krew” runs by the motto, “All Paws on Deck.” From daycare attendants, groomers, and doggie hygiene and nutritionists, Kat says, “Every task is just as important as the next to keep a smooth-running business. It’s important to show pride doing those tasks.” Kat explains that the best philosophy to be a good boss is the same as being a good pet owner, “Listen and look for opportunities to adapt.” This attitude makes for a fun and respectful working environment.
The staff believes that dogs were put on Earth to teach us patience, loyalty and forgiveness, and help connect us to our humanity in daily chaos. Kat has learned from her furry friends that a happy pet owner makes a happy pet. “I think dogs help our society,” explains Kat. “My two favorite quotes capture that “Dogilosophy”.
“Be the person your dog thinks you are.”
“To Err is human, to forgive Canine”.
Kat says, “If we learn to listen more than we speak, act like we have a purpose, appreciate the simple life, give more than we receive, be happy with what we have and be someone’s best friend, it makes our complicated lives, simple.”
“I love sharing grooming tricks or tips for nutritional care,” shares Kat. “I help people as I help their pet.” In times of disaster, like a hurricane, Kat has sent pallets of dog and cat food to areas that didn’t have access to pet needs.

Kat’s passion for pets was most obviously shown only four days after the Grand Opening of her business five years ago. As Kat was on her way to work, an unchained trailer hit her car head on. She was life-flighted to Roper Hospital in Savannah. When the accident occurred, concerned drivers stopped at the scene to call emergency response. Many claimed it was a miracle she survived.
During recovery, surgery, and rehabilitation, Kat was asked if she was going to close her shop. She responded, “I hadn’t even considered it to be an option, this is what I love.” Only two months after the near-fatal accident, Kat returned to her dream job, each morning smiling as she greeted costumers. It’s a testimony to her passion for providing high-quality grooming and care services for pets and their owners.
This Mother’s Day, Kat not only celebrates her fur-babies and business baby, but she is also sharing the joy as a new mom to her two-month-old baby, Robin. “She’s my little bird,” said Kat. “My favorite thing about being a new mother is the amazement that Robin is created from myself and my favorite human, my best friend and husband. When she smiles my whole world melts.”
Kat has learned that being a new parent is like starting her own business. “You have to nurture a new business just like a new baby. It needs your attention all the time, you lose sleep over whether you’re doing the right thing, it costs time and money and you only really hear from it at first if it’s upset” laughs Kat. “Keep your head up, adapt and do your best to make it better.”