Happy Tails Pet Resort & Camp

If you enjoy working around animals and being outdoors, this is a unique opportunity to experience life in the heart of Muskoka. Surrounded by forests, lakes, and wildlife, this is a combination of daily animal care, outdoor living, and cultural exchange in one of Canada’s most beautiful regions. It’s a different pace of life — and for the right person, it can be a very rewarding experience.

We offer a true Muskoka cottage lifestyle for dogs, set within large, fully fenced parklands spanning 25 acres of meadows, ponds, woodlands, and trails. This is a cage-free, natural setting where dogs can move freely, swim, run trails, and follow their instincts — bounding after chipmunks, exploring pond edges for frogs, and chasing dragonflies — all within a safely enclosed environment. Our approach is calm and low-key, quite different from typical city daycare or boarding, and focused on allowing dogs to settle, socialize, and live in balance with their surroundings.

Living and helping here means being part of that daily rhythm. Volunteers support a calm, structured environment where the dogs are safe, comfortable, and well cared for through routine and teamwork. This is not a rescue or shelter, but a working, cage-free setting focused on consistency and balance. We take care in selecting helpers so the experience works well for everyone — both for the animals and for the team living here. This tends to suit people who are comfortable with routine, shared responsibility, and a quieter, nature-based setting.

Our location makes it easy to experience some of Ontario’s most spectacular landscapes. We are 15 minutes from Arrowhead Provincial Park and about 45 minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park, both known for hiking, wildlife viewing, canoeing, and stunning scenery. Muskoka itself is home to over a thousand lakes and is one of Canada’s premier outdoor destinations for swimming, paddling, and exploring nature. Wildlife sightings are common, including moose, deer, and blue herons.

Huntsville, just 6 km away, offers shops, cafés, restaurants, and seasonal events. In warmer months, volunteers often spend time at lakes and beaches, hiking trails, or exploring nearby towns. In winter, the region offers cross-country skiing, skating trails, snowshoeing, dogsledding, and snowmobile routes.

Volunteers typically enjoy a balance of meaningful contribution and free time. Many spend their days off planning small adventures such as camping, canoeing, hiking, or visiting provincial parks and nearby lakes. For those who enjoy animals, nature, and meeting people from around the world, this is a memorable way to experience rural Canada in a unique cottage-country setting.

I opened Happy Tails Muskoka in April 1996, building a cage-free pet resort that has grown into a unique cottage-country setting where animals, nature, and people come together. Over time, it’s also become a way to share Muskoka with visitors and volunteers from around the world.

I work closely with a small, steady team. Vee (Yysahk), our full-time manager, helps guide the daily rhythm of the property and supports both the animals and volunteers. Danielle, our groomer, keeps the dogs comfortable and well cared for. Volunteers are part of that flow, typically helping about four days per week and working alongside us in a hands-on, practical way.

Your first day is simply about settling in — getting familiar with the space and easing into how things run. Each morning starts with a short check-in around 8:30 AM to go over the dogs, park areas, and the day ahead. From there, the day unfolds through routine, awareness, and teamwork. Working with animals means paying attention — to gates, spaces, and small details that keep everything safe and running well.

There’s a natural balance here. Some days are busy, but there’s also time to step back, explore Muskoka, or just relax. Evenings are often easy and social — sharing stories, getting to know each other, and enjoying a bit of life from different parts of the world.
Because we live and work closely together, a good team dynamic matters. This tends to suit people who are comfortable being part of a shared routine, communicating openly, and contributing in a steady, grounded way.

There are many stories from life with dogs and from across Canada, and volunteers often enjoy sharing those moments during relaxed evenings together. We also enjoy getting to know you — your background, your travels, and your experiences. It’s a chance for everyone here to learn from each other and share a bit of life from different parts of the world.Because we live and work closely together, a positive team environment matters. This experience tends to suit people who are comfortable working cooperatively, communicating openly, and being part of a shared daily routine.