West Seattle businesses: New owners for Stella Ruffington’s

Just got word that a Morgan Junction business has new owners: Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare. The buyers own a training/boarding facility on Camano Island, and say they “have wanted to enter the Seattle market for quite some time.” Read on for the announcement they sent:

Jason and Dianna Young of Camano Island, Wash., have purchased Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare, 7003 California Ave SW in West Seattle.

“We plan to continue to operate Stella’s in the same manner that its former owner, Shane Tracy, employed so successfully,” Dianna Young said.

The business provides canine day care and overnight boarding for dogs of all breeds and all sizes. The Youngs also will offer dog training and canine behavioral problem-solving through Stella Ruffington’s. In addition to local classes, the Youngs will provide optional shuttle service for dogs between Stella Ruffington’s and Camano Island Kennels, a popular professional training and boarding kennel on Camano Island, northwest of Everett, where the training schedule embraces a range of opportunities that span standard obedience training to correction of the toughest problematic behavior, including aggression.

The Youngs founded Camano Island Kennels in 1997. Dog owners of Stanwood, Wash., and Camano Island have voted Camano Island Kennels best kennel in the area three times in the last three years in balloting conducted by the Stanwood/Camano Chamber of Commerce.

“We are thrilled to have been able to acquire Stella Ruffington’s,” Dianna Young said. “We have wanted to enter the Seattle market for quite some time, and Stella Ruffington’s provides us with an opportunity to take the reins of a service that has earned the widespread respect and support of dog owners in West Seattle.”

Dianna Young is a certified professional trainer and canine behaviorist with more than 20 years of experience who combines the best of European and American traditions in her programs. Jason Young is a lead trainer at Camano Island, providing group lessons, private lessons and in-kennel training for a wide variety of clients. He also advises the staffs of some animal shelters and veterinary clinics on effective dog handling.

Change of ownership took effect on Dec. 6, and Shane Tracy will work with the Youngs during the transition to new management. John Mottram of West Seattle has been named on-site manager of the Seattle portion of the Young canine enterprises.

The name will stay the same for now, Dianna Young told us in a followup exchange.

12 Replies to "West Seattle businesses: New owners for Stella Ruffington's"

  • CEA December 7, 2011 (12:15 pm)

    Shane is such a terrific guy and I sure will miss him — and Stella! However, I’m so pleased Stella Ruffington’s will continue to exist. It’s in a great location and provides a nice service for the community. Best of luck to the new owners!

  • BB December 7, 2011 (1:37 pm)

    wonder if they will offer grooming again?

  • Rob December 7, 2011 (1:49 pm)

    Yea, glad too see it will stay in business as my 3 dogs love to go there. And Shane is a terrifc guy, always a pleasure to see at anytime of the day.

  • MTM December 7, 2011 (2:28 pm)

    It will be interesting to see if they offer grooming again under the new owners. Tammy, the former groomer there has stayed in West Seattle, working at The Wash Dog, after Shane changed Stella’s business model. Best wishes to Shane in whatever new venture he undertakes.

  • DQ December 7, 2011 (3:03 pm)

    I will also add on that Shane is a wonderful guy. We always appreciated bringing our dog there and they always did a great job.

  • Diane December 7, 2011 (3:07 pm)

    Shane will be missed. We have been going to Stella’s for many years. When I lost my 14 year old pug they offered many kind words which meant the world to me. Good luck, Shane.

  • Bill December 7, 2011 (4:12 pm)

    I am sure it is a great location if you don’t have to live nearby and listen to the incessant barking; sometimes in the middle of the night and early in the morning. They do nothing to their surroundings (ie: fence) to mitigate the noise either.

  • Dianna Young December 7, 2011 (4:35 pm)

    Bill,

    Thanks very much for your input. We appreciate hearing from you. Please be assured that we will address this issue.

    ~Dianna Young

  • moneaux December 7, 2011 (5:20 pm)

    Shane has always been so kind and caring to both our dog and us. Best of luck to you wherever your life is leading you, Shane. You will truly be missed!

  • Steph December 7, 2011 (9:07 pm)

    I hope the staff doesn’t change. I really like all the people there (and my dog loves all the people there.)

  • Jody December 7, 2011 (10:34 pm)

    Seattle is very lucky to have Dianna and Jason taking over this business. We have boarded our dogs with them for a dozen years on Camano Island and their care and love for their guests is outstanding. I am sure they will continue to foster exceptional care, training and high expectations at this location as well. Congradulations Dianna and Jason! “Dottie” sends best wishes as well.

  • Brad December 21, 2011 (4:05 pm)

    The staff has always been amazing and our dog has been going there for almost 2 years. Shane was seriously nothing short of a superhero when we first started going there given the situation we were in that required doggie daycare. We definitely wish him the best as he truly deserves nothing less.

    The new owners and the new manager seem very cool as we’ve gotten a chance to chat with them some. We live in Lake Stevens (near Everett) but work in downtown Seattle so it’s not the easiest to get to, but we will continue to come here because we know the NEW staff (some have stayed the same) will take just as good of care of our pup.

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