Behind the Paws: A Chat With Kylie from Kylie's K9 Country Retreat
Meet Kylie, a local resident and the passionate owner of Kylie's K9 Country Retreat in Wilton.
Kylie has created more than just a pet boarding service, she’s built a safe, caring and fun-filled retreat where dogs are treated like family. With a genuine love for animals and a strong connection to the local community, Kylie’s dedication shines through.
Read on to learn more about Kylie’s journey, what inspired her business, and why so many locals trust her with their beloved companions.
Let’s start off with a little bit about you
Growing up, my family always had dogs, along with a variety of other pets including cats, a rabbit, a turtle, and fish. I still remember the day my dad brought home two guinea pigs after being told they wouldn’t breed - we ended up sharing our unexpected baby guinea pigs with our neighbourhood! I also have fond memories of brushing our neighbour’s Old English Sheepdog just for fun when I was about 10 years old.
Over 30 years ago my husband Allen and I started breeding and showing Samoyeds. What began as a passion quickly became a way of life. Dogs have always been at the heart of our family and our daily routine, and I truly can’t imagine life without them. I love that dogs offer unconditional joy - they don’t judge, they simply love you back.
Tell us about Kylie’s K9 Country Retreat. What services do you offer, and how do they support dogs and their owners?
Kylie’s K9 Country Retreat is a 30-acre country property offering a full range of dog care services. We provide dog boarding, doggy day care, full grooming services, enrichment experiences including our scent room, puppy preschool, stay-and-train programs, retail pet food, and hydrotherapy for wellness and fitness. Dogs enjoy real farm life with paddock plays, agility courses, bushwalks, our scent spaces and 24-hour care. Our goal is to support both dogs and their owners by offering trusted, personalised care in a calm, enriching environment. We pride ourselves in giving our human clients the peace of mind that we love their dog as much as they do.
What inspired you to establish Kylie’s K9 Country Retreat, and what vision guided you when starting the business?
The Retreat evolved organically. After moving to Wilton in 2000 and building kennels, we were soon asked to care for the dogs we had bred when their families went away on holidays. From there, the word spread through friends and connections, and the business grew entirely by word of mouth. My vision has always been to create a place where dogs are treated as individuals rather than numbers - a safe, enriching, and genuinely enjoyable environment where they feel comfortable, cared for, and happy during their stay.
Who or what has had a significant influence on your journey as a business owner and animal carer?
My first Samoyed, Akhen, has been one of my biggest teachers. I learned so much from him, mainly what not to do. There have been many more since Akhen, each one shows you something new about patience, resilience, and trust. Over the years listening to our clients and adapting to their needs has also strongly shaped how the business has grown. I learned a lot about business when I was a retail manager and then a mortgage broker. It helped me to understand the workings of owning and running a business. I have also taken advantage of the many courses offered by Business Wollondilly over the years.
What do you believe sets Kylie’s K9 Country Retreat apart from other dog boarding or care services?
What truly sets us apart is the combination of space, experience, and personalised care. We offer a genuine farm stay experience with paddock play, bushwalks, and enrichment activities, not just kennel runs. We also provide grooming, training, daycare, and hydrotherapy all in one location, with staff on site 24/7.
Why did you choose Wollondilly as the place to grow your business and welcome visiting dogs?
Wollondilly offers the perfect balance of space, community, and accessibility. The rural setting allows dogs to truly enjoy nature while still being close to Sydney and surrounding regions. Wilton felt like the ideal place to build something meaningful and long-term.
What are some of your most valued or in-demand services, and why do pet owners appreciate them?
Our country boarding stays, doggy day care, grooming, and hydrotherapy services are especially popular. Pet owners value the large open spaces, personalised care, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their dog is supervised and enriched, not confined. Hydrotherapy is also highly valued for rehabilitation, fitness, and ongoing mobility support.
What has been your proudest moment or biggest accomplishment so far?
Navigating COVID and adapting the business to survive was one of my proudest moments. Moving puppy training online and creating new services during lockdown allowed us to keep supporting families and dogs while maintaining our livelihood.
What do you love most about being part of the Wollondilly community?
I love the strong sense of community and support for local businesses. People genuinely care about where they spend their money and who they trust with their pets. There’s also a wonderful sense of connection between small businesses, which makes Wollondilly a great place to operate and grow.
Aside from your own, which local businesses do you love and support?
We actively support and collaborate with several local businesses. We stock gorgeous harnesses, collars and leads from Bentley’s Boutique. We send our grooming clients up to Teas N Greens while they wait. We buy gifts from a number of local shops including Wick’d Candles, The Kid’s Cottage Toy Boutique, Wild Poppy & Co, Hippy Luxe and Timeless Treasures. Sapphire Pool and Spa help us look after our Hydrotherapy tank, Limitless Fitness & Nutrition helps keep me healthy along with Wilton Pharmacy. I also love our Wilton Business Network where we meet and chat with other local business owners regularly.
Complete this sentence: Most people wouldn’t know that I...
Spent almost every school holidays travelling with the Perry Bros circus (now known as Stardust). One of my closest friend’s Dad was one of the Perry brothers. Later in life she was one of my bridesmaids. We had some amazing times and experiences and visited lots of places. I’ve patted an elephant’s tongue and been very close to a lion and am terrified of circus monkeys!
And just for fun…what was your first job?
I had a few jobs when I was a teenager. I walked the neighbours dogs, babysat lots of children and washed dishes in the local Chinese Restaurant. I worked in the local chicken shop every Sunday serving customers, cooking chips and stuffing chickens to go on to the rotisserie. Cleaning dirty oil is not something I miss. My first “proper job” was as a manager for Grace Bros (now Myer). I managed many different departments while I was there. I learned exactly how to manage a business. I’m grateful I get to combine those skills with my love of animals.
Do you have any exciting plans or long-term goals for the future?
We aim to continue expanding our hydrotherapy, wellness and fitness services. We would love to introduce a fitness program for elderly dogs to give them a better quality of life as they enter their twilight years. We will keep evolving with best-practice animal care while maintaining the personal, family-run feel that defines us.
Where do you see yourself and Kylie’s K9 Country Retreat in 10 years?
Still in Wollondilly, still hands-on, and still focused on providing exceptional care with a strong, experienced team and services that continue to support dogs through every stage of life.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Kylie’s K9 Country Retreat is more than a business, it’s a lifelong passion built on trust, care, and community. Every dog that comes through our gates becomes part of our extended family as do their owners.
