Evergreen Awards is proud to present Paws Life with the Best Independent Dog Daycare in Cornelius, NC of 2026 award. This recognition celebrates a locally owned business that has earned the trust of pet owners through personalized care, experienced leadership, and an unwavering commitment to every dog that walks through its doors. By focusing on relationships instead of volume, Paws Life has created an environment where dogs are treated like family and every visit is tailored to their individual needs.

A Business Built on Heart and Experience

Behind Paws Life is owner Kayla Shaw, whose career spans more than 25 years in dog daycare and boarding management. Her lifelong passion for animal care has shaped a business that combines professional expertise with genuine compassion. Every aspect of Paws Life reflects her belief that dogs deserve a safe, enriching, and loving place to stay while their families are away.

Much of that inspiration comes from Lulu, Kayla's beloved Shih Tzu and the unofficial Director of First Impressions. Lulu serves as a daily reminder that every dog has a unique personality and deserves individualized attention.

"Lulu taught me that every dog has their own quirks, their own comforts, and their own way of showing love. That's exactly the kind of attention every pet at Paws Life deserves," says Kayla Shaw.

Why Paws Life Earned This Recognition

Evergreen Awards evaluated Paws Life based on several important factors that define excellence in independent dog daycare. The business demonstrated exceptional performance in personalized pet care, staff experience, customer satisfaction, safety practices, supervised socialization, facility cleanliness, transparent communication, professional grooming services, boarding accommodations, community involvement, and overall dedication to animal wellbeing.

Rather than operating as a large corporate facility, Paws Life embraces a neighborhood approach. Its smaller size allows the team to know every dog by name, understand their personalities, and provide individualized care that helps each guest feel comfortable and secure.

A Different Kind of Dog Daycare

One of the qualities that distinguishes Paws Life is its commitment to remaining independently owned and locally managed. While many facilities within the industry are operated by large investment groups, Paws Life continues to prioritize relationships with both pets and their families.

The experienced team works closely together to ensure every dog receives personal attention throughout the day. Whether guests are visiting for daycare, overnight boarding, or professional grooming, the goal remains consistent. Every dog should enjoy a safe, engaging, and positive experience.

Families also appreciate the availability of free online webcams that allow them to check on their pets throughout the day, providing added transparency and peace of mind.

More Than Daycare

Paws Life offers a complete range of services designed to support dogs through every stage of their visit. Spacious boarding accommodations, supervised daycare playgroups, professional grooming, and attentive daily care allow pets to remain active, comfortable, and happy while away from home.

The facility encourages healthy social interaction while ensuring dogs are grouped appropriately based on temperament and play style. This thoughtful approach helps create positive experiences for both first time visitors and long time guests.

A Commitment to the Cornelius Community

As a woman owned small business, Paws Life has become a valued part of the Cornelius community. The business reflects the values of trust, accountability, and neighborly service that many pet owners appreciate when choosing care for their beloved companions.

"Caring for dogs has never felt like a job to me. It's a calling. As a woman owned small business, I'm proud to serve the Cornelius community with integrity, professionalism, and a whole lot of heart. I couldn't do any of it without the amazing team beside me. And yes, plenty of belly rubs," says Kayla Shaw.

The Evergreen Awards Selection

Evergreen Awards selected Paws Life for this recognition because the business consistently demonstrates excellence across every aspect of independent dog daycare. From experienced leadership and personalized attention to professional care, transparent communication, and a genuine passion for animals, Paws Life exemplifies the qualities that pet owners seek when choosing someone to care for their furry family members.

Its independent ownership, experienced team, welcoming atmosphere, and dedication to treating every dog like family make Paws Life a deserving recipient of the Best Independent Dog Daycare in Cornelius, NC of 2026 award.

About Paws Life

Paws Life is a locally owned dog daycare, boarding, and grooming facility located in Cornelius, North Carolina. Led by owner Kayla Shaw, the business brings more than 25 years of professional experience to every guest's visit while providing individualized care in a welcoming environment designed around each dog's comfort, safety, and happiness.

For more information, visit www.PawsLife.fun, Instagram, and Facebook.