i'm john heinz, owner of gray shepherd.

(formerly Shepherd and Grey Daycare and Guesthouse in Cold Spring)

A lifelong animal lover and dedicated caregiver, I bring more than 13 years of full-time professional experience across three iterations of my pet care business, which I’ve relocated over the years from Jersey City to Cold Spring and now to Kingston. I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs of nearly every breed and size, and I have a particular affinity for large, powerful breeds that many people find challenging to handle.

In addition to dogs, I have extensive experience caring for cats and domesticated birds—from parakeets and cockatiels to macaws. Over the years my approach to animal care has evolved into one grounded in thoughtful observation, intuition, patience, and flexibility. I’ve learned that, much like people, every animal is unique—and what works beautifully for one may not work at all for another.
Through the ASPCA and other animal welfare organizations, I’ve also had the privilege of fostering and caring for animals of many ages, abilities, and temperaments. Among them are Murphy, an affectionate and high-strung German shepherd mix, and Byron, my bright and bossy African grey parrot—now 32 years old. These two companions ultimately inspired the name of my business when I first founded it in 2012.
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My animals have given me some of the most meaningful and dimensional relationships of my life. They have always meant the world to me, and I understand just how much yours means to you. As the sole caregiver behind my nearly 14-year-old service, I vow to treat every animal in my care as I would my own—with kindness, attentiveness, love, and respect.

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