Fenway Bark Stay.Play.Heal. Successfully Completes “Ruff” Zoning Journey in South Boston

South Boston, MA - In a 7–0 vote, the Boston Zoning Board of Appeals approved Fenway Bark Stay.Play.Heal.’s (www.fenwaybarkonline.com) off street parking and First Street entrance on May 25, 2010. On June 29, 2010 both the March 9 Zoning Board of Appeal unanimous approval for the dog hotel and the second permit for off street parking lot and entrance were ratified by the Zoning Board.

Fenway Bark has begun in earnest to recruit and hire experienced dog care professionals to staff its operation at 553 E. First Street. As of the date of ratification, Fenway Bark has already identified half of its twenty person opening staff, most from South Boston or the Boston urban area. Additionally, Fenway Bark has also hired some local construction professionals to complete interior work.

“We are committed to the community,” said Jane Fulton, President of Fenway Bark, “we have encouraged neighbors and dog care professionals from the community to work with us in many ways including employment or independent contractors.”

In addition to hiring people from the South Boston area, Fulton shared that Alliance for Animals on Silver Street is one of two identified charitable partners to Fenway Bark. Shortly after opening, Fenway Bark will work in partnership with Alliance for Animals to launch a pet food pantry for the South Boston/Dorchester community. Fulton has arranged for its retail food suppliers to work with Fenway Bark to stock the pet food pantry as a percent of sales from its retail store.

“A pet food pantry in the South Boston community will prevent people who are facing tough financial times to keep their cherished family pet in their care instead of having to surrender the pet due to the financial burden of pet food cost,” said Donna Bishop, Director and Founder for Alliance for Animals(www.afaboston.org), a No Kill shelter and veterinary clinic in South Boston. Alliance for Animals will be the administrative body of the pet food pantry at Fenway Bark.

In addition to jobs and the pet food pantry, Fulton has made conscious efforts to ensure that Fenway Bark has a low carbon footprint. Employees will be encouraged to use public transportation through a subsidy program offered by Fenway Bark and the building will be seeking LEED EB certification, a reflection of a conscious green approach to business. “Each decision we make about products we buy, install, or use will be passed through the LEED “filter” to see if a reasonable green alternative is available,” said Jim Morrison, General Manager for Fenway Bark.

“Fenway Bark is the best thing to happen to the area in a long time,” said Jackie Cannata, a Dorchester resident and owner of Tony, a golden retriever puppy.

Fenway Bark is located at 553 E. First Street, South Boston and will open in late summer.