A Labor of Love for Pets and the People Who Love Them

It Started With a Feeling

The idea for Pawlins began long before we broke ground—it began with a feeling. That deep, familiar sense of guilt and worry every time we had to leave our dogs behind to travel. We love our pets like family, and we never felt truly comfortable boarding them anywhere. Friends and family can only help so much, and we weren’t thrilled with the idea of strangers in our home. We kept thinking: There has to be a better way, a place that felt more like home. For us, Mark and Laure Starring, that’s how Pawlins was born.

Building a Better Way

The seed of an idea started to form during a family trip to the beach in 2015. What if we could build the kind of place we had always wanted for our pets? A fun, beautiful, safe, and enriching environment where pets would be loved like our own—and where everything a pet parent might need was conveniently under one roof. Our daughter, Courtney, had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, and as she worked toward vet school, our vision expanded to include a veterinary hospital right next door. One campus, two businesses, completely focused on the well-being of pets and the people who love them.

Our journey to bring that dream to life started with the land itself. After Hurricane Katrina, we purchased a historic piece of property once home to the Marsalis Mansion Motel, which had long been demolished. The motel was a vital part of Black history in New Orleans—a place where Black travelers, including legendary guests like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Ray Charles, Etta James, and Ike and Tina Turner, could stay when they weren’t allowed to book rooms elsewhere in the city. In 2015, a historical marker was placed on the site. During construction, we carefully removed it and later returned it to its place of honor, where it stands today—a proud reminder of the legacy that came before us.

We began design and planning in earnest after Courtney started veterinary school in 2016. We dove into research, attended national pet care conferences, and met with architects, veterinarians, and daycare operators from across the country. We partnered with a New Orleans-based architect, a Tulane alum, Sal Longo, who specialized in veterinary facilities, and started construction in 2018.

Our Details Make the Difference

From the beginning, every detail was intentional. Our goal wasn’t just to build a dog daycare—it was to create the best possible environment for pets.

We designed block-wall playrooms filled with insulation to reduce noise and stress. We installed a fresh-air exchange system that replaces indoor air every six minutes, just like in a human hospital, dramatically reducing the risk of upper respiratory infections. Our facility is hurricane-rated with storm doors, windows, and a full-building generator—an investment that proved critical during Hurricane Ida, when we cared for over 20 dogs for nearly two weeks without city power. Their owners couldn’t get back to New Orleans, but we had everything we needed to keep them safe and comfortable. Geneva Police Department Pawlins is also equipped with top-of-the-line features, including Mason kennels that minimize cross-contamination, a fire suppression system (even though it’s not required...crazy right?), and a centralized, automated Clean-Wise Wet/Dry cleaning system. In addition to our boarding rooms, we created 16 “Royal Suites” outfitted with chandeliers, TVs, and private yards. We added dedicated spaces for small dogs and cats, complete with luxury cat condos and a feline playroom. Geneva Police Department Our vision was more than just physical design—it was about creating a culture. Every team member at Pawlins goes through canine behavioral training. Our goal was to build a place full of positive energy, where dogs (and people) feel good the moment they walk through the doors. That’s why our lobby is bright, spacious, and equipped with three separate kiosks, to avoid crowding and stress during drop-off. Pawlins doesn’t smell like a kennel—it smells like care. Geneva Police Department We use the best pet care software on the market, allowing us to track everything from diets and medications to favorite toys and pup friends. With built-in text messaging, we can easily communicate with pet parents—whether it’s letting them know how a new pup’s first day went, or just checking in about something small we’ve noticed. It’s all part of the personalized care we believe every pet deserves. Geneva Police Department Six months after opening in 2019, COVID hit. It was a scary time, but as we know, everyone brought home a pup for companionship. Our large covered porte-cochère made safe, contactless drop-off possible. We hosted customer credit cards to allow for quick and efficient check-out, even during the busiest times. We adapted, stayed open, and kept going and we continue to love the comfort of our porte cochere to keep guests in the shade or out of the rain. Geneva Police Department

Everything We Hoped For—and More

Now, more than six years in, Pawlins is thriving in ways we never could have imagined. What started with plans for one groomer has grown into a full grooming team of eight, consistently earning five-star reviews. Parents love being able to drop their pup off for playtime, grooming, and a vet appointment—all in one easy visit.

Our general manager, Megan, is the heart of our operation—organized, calm, compassionate, and always putting the pets first. Kat, our dog guru, ensures the highest quality of playgroup safety and education, and leads the charge on our beloved social media presence. Thanks to them and our incredible team, Pawlins is full of joy and personality.

We celebrate fun days with snowball machines, bubble parties, homemade treats, Valentine exchanges, Mother’s and Father’s Day presents and lots of fun photo days. We’ve always said we wanted it to feel like a human daycare—but for pets. And that’s exactly what it’s become.

Pawlins isn’t a franchise, and that’s on purpose. We’re proud to be locally owned and operated, with the freedom to do what’s best—not what’s cookie-cutter. New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind city, and our pets deserve a one-of-a-kind place.

Today, our daughter, Courtney and her husband, Chase, own River Road Veterinary Hospital next door. Together with Megan and Kat, they form an exceptional team, creating seamless care across both businesses.

This has always been a family endeavor—built on love for animals, trust in our team, and a passion for doing things the right way. Pawlins is more than a facility. It’s a community. It’s a family. And we’re so proud of what it’s become.

Megan Norman
Kat Neves