Your dog’s Home away from home
Welcome to Ruby Lou’s Ranch - a dog’s dream come to life. When your dog comes to us, they get lots of exercise, love, and happy dog pals . . . . But we also work with dogs who like to go solo too.
We keep it small and always will, so your dog gets the attention it needs and feels at home. Could it get any better than that?
We pick up and drop off too!!!
Interested??? Chat with Matt!
Text or call: 919-564-9148
Services
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We are a dog’s dream, and we want this doggy dream to be affordable. We have both monthly daycare package options and a great daily rate ($40) with pick up and drop off in Hillsborough included.
Right now, we have space for a few more dogs to join our group of doggy regulars! Learn more about our doggy daycare options by clicking HERE. You can also call or text Matt at (919) 564-9148.
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Our doggy guests stay in our home with us. To make things even sweeter, we pick up for free in Hillsborough during our daily pick up and drop off times. Additionally, our nightly rate is affordable ($60), includes daycare, and we have packages for longer stays. BUT the best part is that you know your pup is safe and comfortable, very likely having the time of its life while you’re gone.
Learn more about our overnight boarding by clicking HERE. You can also call or text Matt at (919) 564-9148.
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Dogs are my life’s work and I have developed an intuitive style of working with them. We also have an ideal space to train and socialize dogs who need help. If you have challenges with your dog, I’m happy to talk with you about my training.
Our homestead dog ranch in Prospect Hill, NC
Theo in the creek
Lucy, having a blast
The original Ruby Lou
Canelle creek jumping
FAQs
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Our new pricing includes pick up and drop off for daycare in Hillsborough! We have pick up and drop off hours in Hillsborough, and during those hours, we are happy to pick up and drop off your pooch. For boarding, we also pick up and drop off dogs in Durham, Chapel Hill, and a few surrounding areas for a small additional fee.
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We never have more than 15 for daycare or 10 for boarding.
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Our goal is always to avoid problems by maintaining a calm assertive presence at all times. Because we have an established tight-knit group, the dogs also do a great job helping keep other dogs in line, so that all dogs can have the best time possible. Otherwise, I’m always happy to chat about how we do things here.
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No, we do not. We perform initial assessments to make sure (1) that the dog is a good fit for us, and (2) that we are a good fit for the dog. Not every dog loves being here (although it’s rare), but we make sure you know what’s going on. For the sake of our the group, we carefully make sure that dogs are suited for this environment and monitor all new dogs closely.
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We separate the dogs into comfortable spots in our home. When we have a large crew, we put some dogs in our ‘Dog Mahal’ dorms to ensure safe, happy quiet time.
Meet the Johnsons
I (Matt) started working with dogs after college and with over ten years in the business - dog walking, dog sitting, dog driving, dog daycares, dog training - I’m still not tired of dogs yet. I always say that I learn so much from them, probably more than they learn from me. Thankfully, I found my wife who loves dogs almost as much as I do, and our little dream works.
I met Sarah at a music festival in Pittsboro in 2021, and our life vision came together very quickly. Sarah moved from Atlanta to Durham, we got married, and we bought what is now Ruby Lou’s Ranch in 2022. We found out that we were pregnant with our son, Colt, the day after we moved in. Thankfully, he loves dogs too (pre-approved dogs with supervision, of course ;) ).
As a small business owner, one of the things I’m most proud of is the connection we have not just with the dogs we care for, but the families that entrust us with their precious pets. I, and now we, are often brought into people’s lives when a dog is a puppy, and we get to see the dog grow, mature, and become a beloved member of their familiy home. I believe that their time here with the healthy small group socialization, exercise, fresh air, and touch of extra family makes all the difference.
Our Mission
Our goal is to do what we love, develop happier, healthier dogs, connection to local families, and community through it all.
Our Vision
In the name of healthier, happier animals and happier, healthier humans - our hope is to expand into an animal sanctuary and community space where we connect people with each other, with animals, to nature, and themselves.
And, we do all this under the name of Ruby Lou, the little red dog Sarah rescued in 2020 who was weird then and is still a weird little loner today. We love her, and by naming our family business after her, we proclaim that weirdos are welcome here too.
