Porter Road Pet Care traces its roots back to 1935, when Dwight W. Ellis—an accomplished textile factory owner from Springfield and Monson—built the original kennel. He named it Maridor Kennels, inspired by the Maridor restaurant in Framingham, MA. At the time, Mr. Ellis focused on breeding English Setters. Notably, his dog “Max” made history in 1937 by becoming the first English Setter to win Best in Show at the world’s largest dog show.
Soon after this achievement, expert dog handler Charlie Palmer took over operations. In 1937, he purchased the kennel from Mr. Ellis and rebranded it as Palmer’s Kennels. Among his staff was John Bortle, whom Mr. Palmer unofficially adopted. When it came time to retire, Mr. Palmer passed the reins to John, who continued to grow the kennel’s reputation.
During the 1980s, John Bortle expanded the facility by adding what is now affectionately known as “The Hilton”—a modern upgrade for pet boarding and comfort. In the early 1990s, he sold the business to a new partnership led by Warner Cross, who served as both President and Kennel Manager. Under his leadership, the business adopted a new name: Porter Road Pet Care.
Fast forward to May 2017—Kate Morrissey and her husband Paul, Warner Cross’s very first employee, purchased the business. Today, under their ownership, Porter Road Pet Care continues its long-standing tradition of exceptional pet care, offering premium pet boarding, grooming, and dog day care in a welcoming, professional environment.
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