our roots

What do you get when you cross a dog nerd and a driven entrepreneur? A reimagined dog boarding experience. This is not your mother’s “Dog Boarding Facility.” Far Fetched Acres is the brain-child of Colleen Safford. Colleen is known through her work as a positive reinforcement dog trainer and owner of renowned Walk and Train in New York City. Working in the dog care industry for more than twenty years and having an extensive background in Animal Science and Behavior, Colleen realized pet care needed a shake up! Together with co-founder John Manning, they packed up their Subaru with dogs and headed upstate. It is there they fulfilled the need for an enriching boarding experience centered around a safe environment, predictable routine, designed around mental and physical welfare.  The idea was if humans could relax and unwind in Upstate New York, why couldn’t dogs do the same? Since 2005, Far Fetched Acres has welcomed city pups of all shapes, sizes, and colors through our doors.

OUR MISSION

"Violence begins where knowledge ends" (Abraham Lincoln, Sheila Booth, Susan Garrett) 

It is our mission at Far Fetched Acres to use ONLY humane and gentle methods of handling to provide the best care and build calm and confidence in our guests. Proactive and gentle handling helps our guests understand the rhythm and routine during their stay, aiding them in relaxing and enjoying. 

We believe in "psychology over might" and "willingness over force." 

Positive reinforcement training and practices builds a dog's confidence and helps him/her to feel safe. We use the most recent, evidence-based methods of enrichment and stress reduction to keep our campers feeling comfortable and engaged while they're away from home.