Making new best friends since 2011
We want the best for our pack and yours.
Partners in life & The Pack Inc.
Our Story
The Pack Inc. is owned and operated by Ben Hills and Carla Fuenzalida-Hills.
When their relationship began in 2011, Carla had a Rottweiler named Madison, and Ben had two rescue dogs, Molimo and Mitch—affectionately known as the OG M’s. From the very beginning, these three dogs were more than pets; they were family. Carla and Ben often referred to themselves, alongside the M’s, simply as “The Pack.”
That bond became the foundation for everything that followed.
The Pack Inc. logo features three paw prints, each marked with the letter M, honoring Madison, Molimo, and Mitch. Their portraits also live on within The Dog Stay logo, serving as a daily reminder of where this journey began.
Over the years, the pack grew to include a wide range of animals—among them a bearded dragon, a rescued stray cat, and parrots adopted from the sanctuary where Carla volunteered for six years. Caring for animals of different species deepened Ben and Carla’s understanding that great care isn’t one-size-fits-all—it requires patience, empathy, routine, and genuine presence.
In 2021, the OG M’s passed away at the age of 13—each in consecutive months. Their loss left a profound hole in Ben and Carla’s hearts. While no animal can ever replace another, they believe deeply in honoring those who shaped us. The pack lives on today through the new M’s—Marla and May—and through a renewed commitment to helping more animals live safe, fulfilling lives.
That commitment led to the creation of The Pack Inc. and the acquisition of The Dog Stay in May 2023. What began as love for a few animals became a broader mission: to raise the standard of animal care and build something rooted in trust, compassion, and joy.
What We’ve Learned — And What We’re Changing
Over the past two years, Ben and Carla gained firsthand insight into the dog daycare and boarding industry—and it wasn’t always encouraging. Too often, care is designed around efficiency and margins rather than the well-being of the animals themselves. Dogs are treated like units to be stored, environments are optimized to look good rather than feel good, and high staff turnover erodes the consistency and calm that animals need to thrive.
In some facilities, this has meant:
No overnight staff
Overcrowded spaces
Limited enrichment or play opportunities
Charging extra for basic care and attention
These practices are not aligned with what animals—or their caregivers—deserve.
The Dog Stay was built to be different.
We obsess over the experience. We invest in people. We prioritize routine, enrichment, and safety. We believe presence matters more than cameras, and that care should never be transactional. Most importantly, we believe animals deserve to be treated as family—not inventory.
As The Pack Inc. grows, our intention is simple and unwavering:
to expand thoughtfully, lead by example, and help redefine what animal care can—and should—be.
Honoring the OG M’s, the journey of The Pack continues.
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Co-FounderWith a criminal justice, law degree, and Maryland Bar, Carla made a hard pivot to follow the life long passion of helping animals. OG M Madison is in the picture above.
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Co-FounderAfter 28 years in tech, Ben made the hard pivot to put his time and skills towards helping animals. OG M’s Molimo and Mitch are in the picture above.
Helping animals live their best life
Inspired by our own pack, we want to build experiences that help all animals live an amazing life, starting with pups.
The Pack Inc. Vision - “To reimagine animal care worldwide—so every animal, of every species, can live a happy, fulfilling life through trusted, joyful care.”
The Pack Inc. Mission - “To build the world’s most comprehensive and trusted animal care platform—connecting caregivers with everything they need to support happy, healthy lives for their loved ones across all species.”
The Dog Stay Mission - “To provide pups with a safe, enriching, and joyful environment where they can thrive physically and emotionally—while giving their caregivers complete peace of mind through trusted, transparent, and compassionate care.”
How We Care (The Pack Inc. Way)
Animals are family, not inventory.
We treat every animal as a loved one, because that’s how their caregivers see them.Trust is built through presence, not cameras.
We believe great care comes from skilled, engaged people—not shortcuts or surveillance.Routine, calm energy, and consistency matter.
Animals thrive when their environment is structured, predictable, and positive.We invest in people so they can invest in animals.
Paying above industry standards and retaining great talent isn’t a cost—it’s the foundation of great care.Care should never come with hidden fees.
We don’t charge extra to do the right thing. We just do it.Safety and enrichment go hand in hand.
A fulfilled animal is a safer, happier animal.Joy is part of the job.
We take our responsibility seriously—but we believe great care should be filled with warmth, fun, and connection.
Meet Carla and Ben’s Current Pack
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Caesar
Caesar is a beautiful green winged macaw, estimated to be over 40 years old. He bonded with Carla when she started at the Parrot Sanctuary in 2015. He never learned to fly because he was caged his entire life. After he was attacked while at the sanctuary, Carla and Ben took him home from the hospital in 2020. He now spends his time doing puzzels, getting spoiled, singing songs, and walking around an aviary, and the house with the dogs.
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Baby Blue
Baby Blue was adopted as a chick in 2019, and had to be hand fed. She is a blue Indian Ringneck and was brought in to be a companion for Fiona who was depressed after her sister passed away. Baby Blue LOVES to say Pic-a-boo and what are you doing. They took over a room that now houses an aviary for them to spread their wings. Although she loves calling Pearl the cat over to play and doing tricks.
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Fiona
Fiona is an albino Indian Ring Neck, where her and her sister, Blanca, were in bad shape and dropped off at the sanctuary. The sanctuary didn’t have room so Carla and Ben took them in. Blanca passed away, and Fiona has a renewed joy in life with her friend Baby Blue, who can also be a handful but they love each other and sleep next to one and other. Fiona loves mirrors, baths, and treats. Although names after an ogre, she is super sweet.
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Marla
Marla is a wonderful rescue that was found in a dumpster in Alabama. She did not trust people and hated leashes. You could never tell at this point given she wants nothing more than to cuddle and go for walks - a pro on the leash. She is an amazing swimmer although she doesn’t prefer to swim any longer. She also loves doing puzzles, chewing her chew toys and taking care of her stuffed octopus.
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May
May was adopted from a rescue foundation in May, and oddly enough was born the same day that Molimo passed away. She is extremely smart, and loves to use the talking board to say what she wants which is mostly food, and walks - with the occasional belly rub. She is also likely part cat as she sleeps quite a bit, and doe so belly up. She also hates to be ignored and lets you know - as she hits “MAY” on the talking board.
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Pearl
Pearl joined the pack in 2018 when the adopted stray, Mocha, never came back from a long adventure. Pearl loves hanging out with all of the animals, in particular, Caesar, Baby Blue, and Fiona. Who knew cats and birds could get along so well. Pearl loves scratch posts, messing with Marla, and going outside exploring, although those trips are supervised.