<div>For years, I’ve built my life around caring for other people’s animals. I’ve walked their dogs in every season, sat on floors with nervous rescues until they trusted me, taken cats outside safely for the first time, and created enrichment adventures that go far beyond basic “drop-off daycare.”
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<div>I’m a veteran, a small business owner, and the founder of The Soft Side of Wild. Through my pet care work, I’ve seen how many dogs and cats thrive when they’re given space, nature, structure, and genuine one-on-one attention. I’ve also seen how limited most traditional daycare models can be - loud, overstimulating, concrete-heavy spaces that don’t work for every animal. This haven was inspired by a simple idea: what if pet care felt more like a retreat than a holding facility?
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<div>My vision is to build a nature-based dog and cat haven in Colorado - a space with shaded trails, secure fenced play areas, enrichment zones, quiet rest cabins, and thoughtfully designed cat spaces. Not a rescue. Not a long-term sanctuary. But a safe, intentional place where animals can play, decompress, and be truly seen. What makes this unique is that it’s being built from lived experience. I’ve spent years learning what dogs and cats actually need - not just physically, but emotionally. This project is the next step: securing land, establishing basic infrastructure, and creating a foundation that can grow into something lasting for both animals and the people who love them.
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<div>This fundraiser helps secure the first piece of land and begin building the foundational spaces that will make this haven tangible - a physical place animals can walk into.
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<div>This isn’t a rushed project. It’s a long-term vision built on consistency, care, and community.
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<div><strong>How The Soft Side of Wild Will Be Built</strong>
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<div>This project will grow in intentional phases - starting with a strong foundation and expanding thoughtfully over time.
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<div><strong>Phase 1: Securing the Right Land</strong>
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<div>The first step is acquiring property in Colorado that allows for proper zoning, natural shade, wooded trails, and room to grow. The goal is not to build inside a warehouse or on artificial turf, but on real land where animals can move, explore, and decompress safely.
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<div>The land itself is the foundation.
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<div><strong>Phase 2: Safety &amp; Foundational Infrastructure</strong>
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<div>Once land is secured, secure perimeter fencing, gated access points, and essential infrastructure will be established. This phase creates a controlled, safe environment where structured, nature-based daycare can begin.
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<div>At this stage, fenced trails, wooded exploration areas, and intentional pack introductions become possible.
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<div>Simple. Safe. Operational.
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<div><strong>Phase 3: Nature-Based Enrichment Spaces</strong>
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<div>With the foundation in place, the environment can expand to include:
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<div>• Shaded rest areas
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<div>• Decompression cabins
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<div>• Varied terrain play zones
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<div>• Natural water features designed for safe cooling and enrichment
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<div>• Thoughtfully designed cat spaces
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<div>The focus remains on emotional regulation, movement, and balance - not over-stimulation.
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<div><strong>Phase 4: Thoughtful Expansion &amp; Community Programming</strong>
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<div>As the space stabilizes, additional offerings may be introduced, such as structured memberships, guided enrichment sessions, and controlled off-leash training environments.
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<div>The long-term goal is not only supervision, but deeper understanding, confidence, and connection between animals and the people who love them.
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Building The Soft Side of Wild: A Nature-Based Pet Haven

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