The Wells County Chamber of Commerce, along with its ambassadors, is pleased to welcome Craig’s Canines to the community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on September 9th. Craig’s Canines, located at 4496 E. Elm Grove Road, a new dog boarding facility, is already creating a buzz with its innovative approach to pet care.
Craig's Canines was born out of owner Craig Lambert's love for dogs and his desire to help others. "I started the business in September of 2018 to provide a trustworthy pet care option for friends and family," Craig explained. "This made me realize that many people don't have friends or family in the area to help them care for their pets while they are at work or on vacation, and that I could be the solution. When my seasonal work ended for the summer, I decided to give it a shot. Spoiler alert: it turns out I absolutely loved taking care of animals full-time!"
Building on his passion, Craig took the next step in expanding Craig’s Canines by transforming a former cattle barn into a modern, dog-friendly facility. The renovation began in October 2023 and was completed by early July. "We fully renovated the interior," he explained. "We added spray foam insulation, installed HVAC systems, and put in a disinfecting unit to ensure optimal conditions for the dogs. I'm thrilled with how quickly we've been able to get up and running," Craig shared.
The facility features 10 private kennels, each measuring 6 feet by 5 feet, capable of accommodating 1 to 3 dogs, depending on their size and the specific requirements of their owners. Each kennel also includes an individual outdoor run measuring 5 feet by 10 feet. Craig offers flexible drop-off and pick-up times seven days a week to fit any schedule, and he also provides in-home visits for clients who prefer not to board their pets.
Moreover, Craig’s Canines offers house visits exclusive to Bluffton, providing a convenient option for dog owners with busy schedules or dogs that don’t do well in boarding situations. This service includes a 15–20-minute visit to let pets out, provide food, water, and medication if needed. Additional fees may apply for longer visits. For health concerns, Craig’s Canines does not offer house visits to individuals who smoke inside their homes.
“House visits are a great way to break apart long workdays,” Craig noted. “They’re especially useful for dogs that may find boarding stressful. This service is not limited to dogs and operates separately from the dog facility’s hours.”
Looking ahead, Craig plans for growth, including potentially opening another location in the next few years. “My goal is to continue expanding to meet the needs of the community,” Craig added. “I’d love to hire more staff and provide even more services in the future. The support from the community has been amazing, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has helped spread the word about Craig’s Canines.”
Craig’s Canines is open Monday through Sunday, with flexible drop-off and pick-up hours from 9 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. For more information or to schedule services, visit their website at www.craigscanines.com or contact Craig's Canines at craigscanines@gmail.com or by text or call at (260) 273-8976.
In the ribbon-cutting photo, Craig Lambert stands with his family, community members, and Chamber Ambassadors, celebrating the launch of this valuable new addition to the community.
Pictured left to right:
Alyssa Brown, Archbold & Lewis, Chamber Ambassador
Erin Prible, Executive Director, Wells County Chamber of Commerce
Danielle Lambert, Craig’s Canines
Amara Hitchcock, Craig’s Canines
Austin Hitchcock, Craig’s Canines
Tyler Lambert, Craig’s Canines
Lenny Vandegriff-Mauzy, Craig’s Canines
Missi Lambert, Craig’s Canines
Craig Lambert, Craig’s Canines
Tammy Schaffer, WC Friends of a Shelter
John Stauffer, WEG Commercial Motors
Tim Lambert, Lambert Painting
Nate Stauffer, Parlor City Cabinetry
Adrian Biberstine, Craig’s Canines
Patty Langel, WC Friends of a Shelter
Arlene Biberstine, Craig’s Canines
Steve Stauffer, Craig’s Canines
Letty Stauffer, Craig’s Canines
Ben Renkenberger, United Way of Wells County, Chamber Ambassador
Cindy Fiechter, North Eastern Group Realty, Chamber Ambassador
Hank Ifer, Ifer Construction
Kurt Ifer, Ifer Construction