The story behind the retreat
Owner & caregiver
Amber Lee Zug has spent her life caring for dogs, and more than a decade working professionally with them through grooming, dog services, and dog shows. That hands‑on experience taught her that every dog is different. Some want extra playtime, some need a quiet environment, and others need patience and one‑on‑one attention while adjusting to a new place.
Amber personally oversees every stay at Woodlands Pet Retreat. She checks the facility's built‑in monitoring systems throughout the day, remains on call overnight, and responds promptly to facility alerts. Woodlands is also an insured pet‑care business, for added peace of mind while your dog is staying away from home.
Amber also owns our sister company, Chien d'amour, a boutique dog grooming salon in St. Marys named Best Pet Groomer of Camden County in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
A family effort
Woodlands Pet Retreat is family run, built by two people who have spent their lives around animals.
Owner & CEO
Amber has spent her life caring for dogs, with more than 10 years working professionally through grooming, dog services, and dog shows. She founded Woodlands Pet Retreat to offer the kind of personal, one‑on‑one boarding she always wanted for her own dogs, and she personally oversees the care every guest receives. Amber also owns our sister company, Chien d'amour, named Best Pet Groomer of Camden County in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Partner
After 35 years in the construction industry, Jon decided to follow a lifelong passion, caring for animals. Having shared his life with dogs and cats from an early age, his love for pets has always been a constant. Today, Jon brings his strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to quality into the family dog kennel business. He takes great pride in providing a clean, safe, and welcoming environment where every pet is treated with patience, kindness, and genuine care. For Jon, caring for pets isn't simply a new career, it's an opportunity to turn a lifelong love of animals into something meaningful for families and their beloved companions. His experience running businesses is also a big part of why Amber went into business herself.
Suites fill up around holidays and school breaks. Reserve your dates early.
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