Success Stories

Alpha Pet Resort

Jason and Miki Gayle

Alpha Pet Resort: Where a Childhood Passion Became a 24-Year Legacy

It started with a leash and a 12-year-old with a love for animals. Long before Alpha Pet Resort existed, Jason Gayle was walking dogs in his neighborhood — a hobby that turned into a calling as he grew up working in his family’s pet store. When Jason and his wife Miki had the opportunity to purchase an established pet resort in Culpeper, Virginia in 2001, they didn’t hesitate. Their vision was personal: to give every pet the kind of care they would want for their own.

“We weren’t just running a business — we were fulfilling a promise to every pet owner who trusted us. That never changed in 24 years.”

A Campus Built to Last

What the Gayles created over two decades is remarkable by any measure. What started as a single facility grew into a sprawling, multi-building campus offering a full suite of services — boarding, daycare, grooming, and training — to the Culpeper community. Every stage of that growth was deliberate, with the Gayles consistently reinvesting in their campus and expanding its offerings, including a major expansion completed in 2022 that stands as a testament to their belief in the business they loved.

Local veterinarians routinely refer clients to Alpha Pet Resort, and the facility has earned recognition as Culpeper’s Best Boarding & Daycare Facility, with a 4.9-star rating on Google and Yelp — a reflection not just of the facility, but of the culture Jason and Miki built from day one.

Operationally, the Gayles were equally deliberate. A General Manager, Assistant Manager, tenured Grooming Manager, and on-site trainer run day-to-day operations with minimal owner involvement — a seasoned, stable team capable of carrying the business seamlessly through a transition.

Finding the Right Partner for the Next Chapter

After 24 years, Jason and Miki knew it was time. What they didn’t know was how to sell a business of this size and complexity — and they were honest about that.

“We had never done anything like this before. We knew what we had built, but we didn’t know how to find the right buyer, how to structure a deal, or how to protect ourselves. This was not something we could have managed on our own.”

A friend’s recommendation led them to PET|VET — and from the first conversation, they knew they had found the right team.

“PET|VET didn’t just understand the PE world — they understood our industry. They knew what buyers were looking for, how to tell our story, and how to navigate the details that could have derailed everything. They fought to get us top dollar for the business we’d built, and it showed in the final number.  We were in excellent hands from day one.”

PET|VET managed the full process: valuation, positioning, buyer outreach, due diligence, and closing — all while keeping Jason and Miki informed and confident every step of the way. The result was a transaction that reflected the true value of what they had spent 24 years building.

“Selling something you’ve given your life to is emotional. PET|VET understood that too. They guided us through every step and made sure we felt good about the outcome. We couldn’t have done this without them for the same results.”

A Legacy in Good Hands

Alpha Pet Resort moves forward under new ownership, ready for its next chapter in one of Virginia’s most attractive pet care markets. For Jason and Miki, the sale marks not an ending, but the satisfaction of knowing what they built will continue to thrive — and the opening of a new chapter of their own, as they turn their attention to a new venture in a different industry.

“Every pet that came through our doors mattered to us. That won’t change under new ownership — and that means everything.”