New Owners For Hydrant Hotel, Pet Boarding Business On LI – Patch

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Hydrant Hotel, a pet boarding and grooming business in downtown Riverhead, is set for its next chapter.

The business has been purchased by Eva LaMere and Rick Chiorando, president and CEO, respectively, of Austin Williams, a marketing, advertising, digital and public relations agency in Hauppauge.

The Hydrant Hotel, a 10,000 sq. ft. facility located at 845 Raynor Avenue in Riverhead, was formerly owned by Anthony and Rebecca Pollina, who also own Dog Town in Southold.

The business first opened its doors in 2015, providing boarding and grooming services for dogs and cats whose owners live, work and vacation on the East End of Long Island, the new owners said. #@@#@!!

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“This is a true passion project for us, because we just love our pets — specifically our dogs,” said LaMere, who lives in Southampton. “We have rescued our dogs Dixie Doodle and Monty and fostered even more. We felt this was a calling for us to revitalize a business that serves such an important need for pet owners and their four-legged children.” #@@#@!!

LaMere also serves as vice president on the board of Canine Companions Inc., a national non-profit service dog organization which provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities, as well as facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. #@@#@!!

Canine Companions’ northeast headquarters is sited in Medford.

The day-to-day operations of the business are run by Kerri Ficke and Jessy San Filippo, who will remain in their roles, the new owners said.

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“Kerri and Jessy are essential to making sure pets get the exceptional level of care they deserve and putting their owners’ minds at ease when they leave them with us,” said Chiorando. “We plan to give them even more resources and expand the services and amenities for the dogs and cats that think of this as their second home.” #@@#@!!

In addition to the indoor facility, The Hydrant offers an outdoor agility course and a one-acre “nature walk” area where dogs can play and exercise daily. Indoors, an advanced heating and ventilation system with ultraviolet and infrared lighting keeps airborne viruses at bay, and isolated ventilation zones prevent scents from traveling between the dog boarding area and cat boarding area, owners said.

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Looking ahead, LaMere and Chiorando also plan on tapping into their day jobs as marketers and advertisers to give the facility a new look.

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“We have big plans for the interior design of the facility and will be revamping the website to add new features and functionality. We want the Hydrant brand to be known as the premier pet boarding facility on the East End,” said LaMere. “We want people to love it and love telling their friends about it.” #@@#@!!