Staffing and Safety Questions Stall Kenneling Request With Ferdinand BZA

At its first meeting of the year, the Ferdinand Board of Zoning Appeals considered a request for a pet boarding facility. 

Before addressing new business, the BZA approved its slate of officers for 2026. Mark Dilger will serve as Chairman, with Jenny Etter as Vice Chair and Kyle Lechner as Secretary. The primary agenda item was a request from Juel Deni-Ramirez for a special exception to allow the operation of a small animal boarding and kenneling facility at 2105 Pine Drive. 

Ramirez explained that the in-home pet care business would be fully insured. It would utilize approximately 1,750 square feet of indoor space and 1,600 square feet of outdoor space, with staffed operating hours from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Animals would be housed indoors at all times, with outdoor access limited to supervised relief and enrichment breaks. She stated that no outdoor kennels would be used and that fencing would be installed in compliance with applicable regulations. Animals would remain indoors overnight in a secure climate-controlled environment. Parking will be limited and managed with off-street gravel parking available for staff and scheduled client drop-off and pickups. 
 
The facility would accommodate 10 to 12 dogs and cats at a time for short-term boarding, ranging from one day to two weeks. Ramirez emphasized her background as a former veterinary technician, her insurance coverage, sanitation protocols, and her intent to operate quietly and respectfully within the neighborhood. 

Board members raised several concerns during questioning, particularly regarding overnight staffing, emergency veterinary care protocols, fencing placement and design, and the absence of the building owner at the meeting. 

Ramirez confirmed that animals would remain on-site overnight but that there would be no staff present overnight, relying instead on security cameras and her proximity to the facility, which she stated was approximately 15 minutes away. Several board members expressed discomfort with this arrangement and suggested that 24-hour staffing might be necessary if overnight boarding were permitted. The owner said that once she is more established, she will hire staff to stay on site, but right now she is the only one running the business. 

Two nearby residents addressed the board, voicing questions and concerns primarily related to fencing placement, available space on the property, and the size and type of animals that would be boarded. While neither speaker voiced outright opposition, both emphasized the need for clearer details before approval. 

After discussion, board members agreed that there was insufficient information to render a decision at this time. The board voted unanimously to table the special exception request until the next meeting, allowing Ramirez time to provide additional documentation. They requested proof of insurance, a detailed site and floor plan, fence design and placement details, clarification about overnight staffing and emergency protocols, and input or documentation from the building owner. The request will be considered at the board’s next meeting. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit www.ferdinandindiana.org 

 - Drew Hasselbring