About us
Our Story
Run like family, because that’s what your dog is to us.
4 Paw Lodge opened on November 1, 2023 — a leap of faith, and a dream Melissa Merritt had carried for a long time. She grew up in Hebbronville, moved to Kingsville in 2015, and has always loved animals. What she wanted to build was simple: a safe, cozy, homelike place where dogs could come play, explore, relax, and get more cuddles than they know what to do with. Today it’s a woman-owned small business serving Kingsville, Ricardo, Riviera and Bishop — and it has grown into more than boarding. Melissa fosters, works with local and non-local rescues, and has helped find furever homes for dog after dog.
Woman-owned
Est. Nov 2023
Kingsville · Ricardo
100% recommended
Meet the Owner
Meet Melissa
Melissa runs 4 Paw Lodge herself. She and her husband have been married 20 years and have two kids, and her own five dogs share the place with your dog. Her family is her everything — and that’s exactly how she treats every dog who stays here. Since the lodge opened she’s met more dogs and owners than she can count and made real friendships along the way, and helping animals in need has been the most rewarding part of all of it.
The lodge door in Ricardo
Where the drive begins
Run like family
Room to grow
Grooming
Meet Kalye
Kalye Utterback owns KK’s K9 SPA, the grooming side of 4 Paw Lodge, and works right inside the lodge. She was born and raised a Riviera girl and has been grooming for years. As she puts it, grooming is an important part of owning a dog — it keeps their skin and coat healthy and helps them feel their best, and it isn’t only for long-haired dogs. She loves being part of keeping your dog happy and fresh.
The lodge
A calm, homelike setting out in the Texas country — about 15 miles from Kingsville, in a quiet corner of Ricardo. Cozy indoor kennels run from medium up to our Lux Large suite, which has its own doggie door onto a private patio, plus a big dog run outside and six trips out a day.
