Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Brannian.
Hi Rebecca, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m going to give you WAY more info than you need- but figured you can pick and choose from there :).
I have always worked with animals- whether it was caring for my own dogs/ cats/ horses/ anything else I could con my mom into letting me have … or helping neighbors with theirs. I was at a turning point in my life back in 2005 and know I didn’t want to stay with the corporate job I was working, so I started planning for Dogtown. At that point in time, there weren’t many dog businesses in Austin and I wanted to create a home-like atmosphere, different from the typical “kennel”, where I would feel comfortable taking my own rescue pups. I planned for about a year- putting a business plan together (working with a consultant specializing in dog daycares/ boarding facilities) – and then worked to get an SBA loan and find the right property. It was an exciting time but obviously very stressful!
I established the business in September of 2006 and found the right building (with an amazing landlord who was ready to take a leap with me), I worked with a contractor to build out the space for our needs. When we were about a month away from finishing (in November 2006), a subcontractor accidentally started a flash fire in the building (leaving the hot water heater on while treating the concrete floors) and we were set back another 6 months. It was traumatic but I was just grateful that we didn’t have much inside the building at the time and no one was hurt! I definitely learned a lot dealing with insurance, lawyers, and then more contractors trying to get ready to open our doors. During that time, I also boarded dogs from my home and continued my education in animal behavior and dog training through Animal Behavior College. It was honestly a great way to dip my toe into things before formally opening our doors in May of 2007.
I started everything solo- and had a very small staff the first few years. One thing I always wanted to do with the business was find ways to give back to the dog community, so in 2008 we started fostering dogs for Austin Dog Rescue. During that time, I met their adoption coordinator (Laurie Molter) and we became friends. In August of 2009, she started working as the assistant manager at Dogtown and immediately added so much to the business. She ended up leaving Austin for family reasons and going back home to Florida for about 10 months in 2010, but we stayed in touch, and I talked her into coming back to Austin in 2011 and coming on as the General Manager for Dogtown…. And the rest, as they say, is history :). She has been a huge part of the evolution of Dogtown (and my closest friend) and in 2022 she became a partner/ co-owner of Dogtown.
We have both grown so much over the years- all starting with Dogtown. Laurie is now married with an 8-year-old daughter … passionate about all things dogs and is also a phenomenal rhythm cycling instructor in her spare time. I moved out of Central Austin in 2022 and when I’m not at Dogtown, I’m at my 25-acre property in Cedar Creek where I rescue all sorts of animals (dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, goats, sheep) and hope to establish a non-profit in the near future to continue providing a safe haven for animals in need.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, the story above lays out the struggles starting out… and of course there have been additional struggles over the last 18-19 years, but that’s how it goes with any small business! We have learned SO much along the way.
I would say that one challenge has been finding and maintaining a quality staff (which we take great pride in doing). Since we are taking care of living creatures that we truly treat like they were members of our own family, it is always a 24/7 job. While Laurie and I are involved in every aspect of the day-to-day business, it is important that every member of our team is on the same page. We have been so incredibly lucky over the years to find quality team members and create a work atmosphere where they feel valued, but of course that takes a lot of work!
Taking care of people’s 4 legged family members is a lot of responsibility and safety is the #1 priority for us. We have worked really hard over the years to learn what works and what doesn’t to provide the safest environment possible for our customers.
One thing we are currently dealing with is making sure everyone knows about us! We have always flown under the radar in terms of marketing and have stayed incredibly busy. As the city has grown, so has the saturation of dog businesses in Austin, so we continue to work on letting people know why we are the best :). While our environment isn’t right for all dogs, we feel that we are the best at what we do with the open play set up.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a dog boarding, daycare, and grooming facility in the heart of South Austin.
We work hard to create an environment where dogs thrive through the perfect balance of freedom and guidance. Through years of hands-on experience, we’ve perfected our approach to pack management. Today, Austin Dogtown stands as a testament to this philosophy, having helped thousands of dogs develop confidence, social skills, and joy in our care.
We believe in letting dogs be dogs—but with boundaries. Through years of experience, we’ve learned that the right balance of freedom and structure helps dogs feel secure and confident. While we ensure every dog has fun, we maintain clear expectations that create a safer, calmer pack environment.
● Structured playtime with positive reinforcement
● Regular rotation through indoor/outdoor areas
● Size and temperament-appropriate groupings
● Rest periods based on individual needs
● Clear communication with pet parents
● Continued education in animal behavior
Every detail of Austin Dogtown reflects our dedication to exceptional dog care:
● Expert-led pack management
● Personalized attention to each dog’s needs
● Ongoing staff education and development
● Clear communication with pet parents
● Continuous facility maintenance and upgrades
One thing that sets us apart is the involvement of Laurie and myself in all aspects of the business – we truly feel that our dedication sets us apart!
Over the years, we have been committed to helping the animal welfare community in Austin – primarily fostering dogs for Austin Dog Rescue, working with the PALs program with Meals on Wheels, supporting APA!, Emancipet, and Austin Humane Society among others. We are committed to continuing this in the future!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have been in Austin since 1994 and while it has changed tremendously, it is still an amazing spot to live and run a business!
I would say some of the best things about Austin are:
** easy access to nature
** generally speaking, more liberal/ accepting of all people
** Animal- loving nature of the city
Some of the less than perfect aspects of the city:
** Crowds
** Growth with little infrastructure support
Pricing:
- Daycare @ $37/day
- Boarding ranging from $53-58/ night
- more details at www.dogtownaustin.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogtownaustin.com
- Instagram: @austindogtown
Image Credits
photos with humans/ dogs taken by Lauren Reynolds Photography https://www.laurenreynoldsphotography.com
photo of building taken by Dogtown
