From a single kennel operating out of founder Michael Smith’s home in 2019, Yaadie Kennels has grown into a multi-service pet-care business offering boarding, training, grooming, breeding, and sourcing services. The expansion, driven by increasing demand for companion animals and specialised pet care, has seen the company broaden its offerings, add a second location, and prepare for the launch of a dog park later this year.

“It was a long lost passion for dogs that turned into a business,” Smith shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “After keeping dogs for friends and family for a period of time, we realised that we could then train them and care for them as well as groom them.”

One of the German Shepherds trained by Yaadie Kennels..

Although family members were initially sceptical of the venture and uncomfortable around dogs, Smith pressed ahead with a single wooden kennel at the time. However, it quickly became apparent that the structure would not withstand the wear and tear that comes with housing dogs, which often chew and bite at their surroundings. He then invested in metal kennels, which offered greater durability and were better suited to Jamaica’s tropical climate. Since then, the operation has expanded from a single boarding enclosure to roughly 15 kennels, along with additional space where dogs can exercise, play, and undergo training. Over time, those reservations faded as Smith demonstrated his ability to train, muzzle, and manage dogs safely. His interest in dog training developed after he began following trainers overseas through social media platforms. Exposure to their content sparked an interest in canine training and behaviour, prompting him to develop those skills and eventually add training services to the business.

“Content creators can really inspire a lot of people worldwide, so they definitely made an impact on Yaadie Kennels, and we have been training dogs ever since then,” he said.

An American Bully puppy. The breed is among those bred by Yaadie Kennels as the company expanded into breeding and pet sourcing services..

The business now offers a range of training services, including basic obedience, behavioural rehabilitation, leash training, and potty training. Through these services, Yaadie Kennels helps owners address common behavioural challenges so they can fully enjoy the experience of having a dog in their homes. As the business cared for more animals, additional opportunities emerged organically. Boarding led to training, and training eventually paved the way for grooming services as owners sought a one-stop location to meet their pets’ needs. Further opportunities emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period Smith described as a turning point for the business. As lockdowns, quarantines, and movement restrictions kept people at home, demand for pets surged as many sought companionship during an uncertain and isolating time. The increase in interest translated into strong growth for Yaadie Kennels, with more Jamaicans looking to purchase dogs and other animals. To meet the rising demand, the company expanded beyond boarding, training and grooming into pet sourcing and breeding.

“When COVID came, it actually did great for our business because everybody wanted an animal around,” Smith said. “Lots of people were getting birds, dogs, and other pets to keep them company throughout that period.”

Metal kennels at Yaadie Kennels’ boarding facility.

Although boarding and training remain the company’s largest revenue generators, the demand for pure-bred dogs led the business to specialise in breeding American Bullies while also sourcing a range of popular breeds for customers, including Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Siberian Huskies, and Pomeranians. Demand is particularly strong for Rottweilers and German Shepherds, which are often sought for both companionship and security purposes. Despite its expansion, the company continues to face operational challenges, particularly in sourcing quality pet products. Limited access to premium dog food, supplements, and other pet-care products in the local market prompted the business to begin importing some of its own supplements and accessories while conducting research into products that best support canine health and help prevent common issues such as allergies. By 2024, Yaadie Kennels extended its boarding services to cats after receiving a growing number of requests from pet owners. Smith admitted that he was initially hesitant to expand beyond dogs, given the different temperaments and care requirements of cats.

German Shepherd puppies at Yaadie Kennels.

“The cats can be very frisky. So we were kind of not willing, but because of the overwhelming calls, we opened our doors and our hearts to accommodating them,” he shared.

While caring for both dogs and cats presents unique challenges, Smith said the business has created separate areas for each animal to ensure their safety and comfort. To maintain service quality, the business currently limits its boarding capacity to approximately 15 dogs and around five cats at a time. Now, in 2026, the company expanded with the addition of a second location on Washington Boulevard and is preparing to open a dog park later this summer. While Smith hopes to see dog handling and training gain greater recognition as a legitimate profession in Jamaica, he shows no signs of stepping away from the industry any time soon. More than a business venture, he describes working with animals as a passion that continues to motivate him each day.

Managing Director, Yaadie Kennels, Michael Smith .

“Knowing that you can get up and look forward to the animals being happy to see you and happy to be around you, despite all the chaos in the world, is special,” he told the
Sunday Finance. “They are energetic and they really give you a push to start your day. That’s something that has stayed with me from the very first day until now.”

Prepared meals for dogs at Yaadie Kennels. Access to high-quality pet food and supplements remains one of the company’s ongoing operational challenges.

Dogs housed in individual boarding spaces at Yaadie Kennels.

An American Bully bred through Yaadie Kennels.