Aberglen Pet Resort suffers wind damage

Aberglen Pet Resort is closed for the time being, after a massive oak tree blew over on Saturday, crushing its main office and grooming building. Operated by Sally George, the dog kennel and grooming business has sat on Napa Road for decades.

“I thought we could try to Band-Aid something together,” George said, when asked if the business is still operating. “But it’s not working well, so I’m going to close for now.”

Last Friday night, wind whipped the area, getting up to 25 mph in some areas of Sonoma. It continued Saturday morning, but by that evening, the skies had calmed. It was quiet on the property when George heard a “swoosh” sound, which she didn’t think much of, at first.

“I just thought the wind was kicking back up,” she said.

But when a neighbor called around 9 p.m., she knew there was trouble.

“We could barely see because it was so dark,” said George, who has owned the property where she lives and works since 1987.

They realized a “big beautiful California oak” was sitting on the building that greets customers to her Pet Resort. It’s where her computer and other office equipment was kept, while the back of the building was used for grooming. Luckily the dogs in the kennels behind the building were unharmed. Downed power lines required a call to 911.

At first, George was hopeful the impact was not too bad. But when the tree was removed, it showed massive structural damage along the roof line.

“It’s a disaster,” George said.

She’s working with her insurance company to figure out the next steps, but got the impression the building may have to be demolished. Repairing the building could take up to 18 months, the insurance adjuster told her.

“It has to go through the permit department,” George said. “I don’t know why, if I already had a building here.”

She added, “I guess I’m going to figure that out.”

The property has been for sale for several months. George said she’s not sure what she will do next.

“I am almost to the point where I have to make a decision and I’m not ready to make a decision,” George said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen moving forward.”