Animals First

Animals First, is a full-service pet care resort, created to provide your animal friends all the comforts of home and more. The husband-wife team work of Marc and Sandie Taylor combines talent, training, years of hard work, and a deep love of all living creatures to form a calm and loving environment for your pets, whether you leave them for a few hours for grooming or several days (or months) at the pet resort. With Animals First, you can rest assured that your pets are in the best of hands.

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Marc & Sandie Taylor

Sandie Taylor, born in Devon, England, came to the United States in 1987 working with horses on the Show jumping circuit. Later, she transitioned to Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that trains assistance dogs for the physically challenged. In 1991 Sandie founded Animals First in San Diego, specializing in puppy & obedience dog training. In 1993 she became a certified dog groomer, and earned national certification as a Companion Animal Hygienist (C.A.H.) the following year. In 1994 Sandie was invited to open a grooming facility at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe by the center’s director himself. The Pet Beauty Parlor has thrived ever since, and is a great asset to the HWAC facility.

Marc Taylor, born a minister’s son in Ohio, is himself an ordained pastor. He attended the Horizon School of Evangelism under Pastor Mike McIntosh and headed up several ministries while attending. Marc became the senior pastor at the Seaside Christian Fellowship church, in San Diego, for over six years. Since joining the partnership of Animals First, Marc has become known as “Mr. Wonderful” to all his furry friends. His gentleness and playfulness makes him a great companion and buddy to guests staying at the pet resort or being groomed at the Pet Beauty Parlor. In addition, Marc now maintains Fairhaven Ranch and oversees the horses, barn, arenas, and landscaping.

The Taylors say that the biggest challenge of all has been the design, preparation and creation of their new facility that combines doggy day care, training, grooming, and luxury accommodations for everything furry, in addition to starting up our special events calendar for horse clinics, lecture days, teeth-cleaning days, vaccination days, etc.

Animals First is located at Fairhaven Ranch, the 21/2-acre home of Marc and Sandie Taylor. There are several luxury suites, large romp arenas, and outdoor lounge areas for dogs, VIP suites for cats, a spacious nine-stall show barn for horses; and even a guest house for human visitors to rent.