Pioneer Pet Care

Business Details

47 Years

experience

Your Trusted Pet Care Partner in Hillsborough, NJ

Pioneer Pet Care has been a trusted provider of premium pet care services in Hillsborough, NJ for over 30 years. Founded in 1979 by Vince and Pat, our family-owned business combines decades of hands-on experience with advanced expertise in animal science and nursing. Our state-of-the-art, solar-powered facility offers personalized boarding, grooming, and daycare services designed to ensure pets feel safe, comfortable, and cherished. As a husband-and-wife team, Tara and Jack continue this legacy of individualized care, maintaining rigorous sanitation standards and a country-inspired environment that prioritizes animal well-being.

With separate accommodations for dogs, cats, and exotic pets, we cater to diverse needs while maintaining a 24/7 on-site presence for constant supervision. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our clients' testimonials, highlighting our ability to care for pets with special needs and our exceptional attention to detail. We offer guided tours, flexible feeding options, and no additional charges for administering heartworm medication, ensuring transparency and convenience for pet owners.

Services

Pet Boarding Dog Grooming Day Care Facility Tours Vaccination Services Special Needs Care Pet Feeding Sanitation Services

Details

Year established: 1979

Highlights and features

We provide personalized one-on-one care with decades of animal science expertise.
Our solar-powered facility features advanced sanitation and climate-controlled accommodations.
Family-owned operation ensures consistent, dedicated attention to every pet.
Specialized experience handling pets with fear/aggression issues or physical disabilities.
24/7 on-site care with no extra charge for heartworm medication administration.

What people say

Safe and happy place Exceptionally clean Fabulous with pets Quality of life improvement No stress pick-up

Website

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Services

Pet Boarding

Our boarding service provides secure, climate-controlled accommodations with separate spaces for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. Each guest receives personalized attention, raised beds, and access to indoor/outdoor runs. The facility maintains advanced sanitation and air filtration systems to ensure optimal health conditions.

Dog Grooming

Professional grooming services include bathing, coat trimming, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. Our staff offers free grooming consultations and accommodates special requests. Grooming is available by appointment for boarding guests and day visitors.

Day Care

Daily play sessions in our spacious, fenced yard allow pets to socialize and exercise. The service includes supervised group activities, individualized attention, and optional add-on playtimes. Pets enjoy both indoor and outdoor access throughout their stay.

Facility Tours

Complimentary facility tours help owners familiarize themselves with our accommodations. During visits, staff discuss pet-specific needs, demonstrate sanitation protocols, and explain daily care routines to ensure owner confidence in our services.

Special Needs Care

We specialize in caring for pets with physical disabilities or behavioral challenges. Our experienced team implements customized care plans, including medication administration and gentle handling techniques for fear-reactive animals.

People

Vince

Founder

Vince established Pioneer Pet Care in 1979 after 11 years working with top veterinarians. His hands-on construction of the facility and lifelong dedication to animal welfare laid the foundation for the business's family-centric approach.

Pat

Co-Founder

As co-founder, Pat worked alongside Vince for 35 years to establish Pioneer's reputation for excellence. Her nursing background and commitment to personalized care remain integral to the company's philosophy.

Tara

Owner

Tara, daughter of Vince and Pat, now leads Pioneer Pet Care with her husband Jack. She graduated with honors in animal science and continues the family tradition of individualized pet attention and compassionate care.

Jack

Owner

Jack brings professional grooming expertise and natural animal-handling skills to Pioneer Pet Care. He and Tara ensure continuity in the family business's standards while modernizing service offerings for contemporary pet owners.

Questions

What services does Pioneer Pet Care offer?

We provide pet boarding, grooming, daycare, and special needs care in a state-of-the-art facility with 24/7 on-site supervision.

Are vaccinations required for boarding?

Yes, we require Rabies, Bordetella, and DHLPP combination vaccines. Consult your vet for additional recommendations based on your pet's needs.

Can I tour the facility before boarding?

Yes, we offer complimentary guided tours to familiarize owners with our accommodations and care protocols. Appointments ensure personalized attention during visits.

How are fees structured for boarding services?

Charges apply per calendar day regardless of arrival/departure time. State sales tax applies. No extra fees for administering heartworm medication.

Do you accommodate pets with special needs?

Yes, we specialize in caring for pets with physical disabilities or behavioral challenges, including fear/aggression issues, through customized care plans.

What should I bring for my pet's stay?

Bring vaccination records, medications, and optional items like bedding or special food. We provide Pedigree and Purina brands at no extra charge.

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Reviews (6)

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Mike Giammarco

Jun 25, 2022 Report

Used Pioneer to board my dog for the weekend. The gentleman I dealt with was very kind and the prices are extremely reasonable. They were recommended by a family friend and I definitely will use them again.

Biagio R.

Jun 18, 2022 Report

Out of 5 stars? This place should literally only have 1 star as an option due to how piss poor their service is. I traveled all the way from Hoboken to here, having to rent a car fyi. I arrived 5 minutes, yea you read that right 5 minutes late due to traffic and having to get the car. And they denied my poor dog Pablo. I recommend going somewhere else where they have sympathy for their customers and understand that traffic and real life issues do happen. At least wine and dine us first before you **** us.

Natalie G.

Jun 18, 2022 Report

HORRIBLE place. I wish I could give this place a zero. We made an appointment for an interview here. We rented a car and drove an hour and a half from New York. We were 10 minutes late because of an accident on the highway and some car troubles. When we finally arrived Tara turned us away. In front of a group of people she made a rude comment and didn't even care about our troubles to get there.

Even after explaining our situation- she was cold and rude. I have never had such a terrible experience. I feel we dodged a bullet. I would never want such a rude human being around my dog. STAY AWAY.

Kelly A.

May 09, 2022 Report

I can't thank Tara and Jack enough for what a great job they did taking care of my dog. My dog is a fear aggressive german shepherd with epilepsy and has had issues in the past with being handled by anyone other than me. After my orientation call with Tara, it was clear they were a knowledgable, caring and careful team. Jack was so kind with my endless tears as I dropped my dog off for his first visit and they were able to take him out for every walk, feed him, and give him medication without a hitch for both boarding experiences. I picked him up today after 8 nights and I almost cried seeing how calm and happy he was because I didn't think it was possible. Thank you both!

Maria G.

Dec 26, 2021 Report

I learned about this place a couple of years ago. I decided to give it a chance and bring my dog, but I have to say that the experience has been TERRIBLE! Jack is a nice and calm person, but TARA was extremely MEAN and RUDE. If you really care about your pet, I do not recommend this place at all. I do not think this place is a 5 start care center as they promote in their Facebook Page. I prefer to pay a little more but at the end I know I will be treated with respect and 100% sure that my dog is in good hands. I am giving them 1 star because I can't use zero and I really want people to reconsider this place.

Susan Z.

Nov 27, 2021 Report

I can't say enough good things about Pioneer Pet Care. No hidden charges, in fact quite the opposite. Our dog is very energetic and gets lots of opportunities to run and be with the other dogs when he's there. The owners will make a point of ensuring that when he will be groomed, it's at the end of his stay so that he comes home looking and smelling his best. Our dog LOVES it here!