Mad About Pets!

If you don't already do your pet supply shopping at Mounds Pet Food Warehouse, now is a great time to check them out. February 2013 is "People for Pets" month at all Mounds Pet Food Warehouse locations! With every pet food purchase for the month of February, Mounds will donate 10% of the purchase price to the Dane and Rock County Humane Societies.

Buy food for your pets, and help support pets in need!

Southern Wisconsin pet store chain Animart chooses to routinely declaw all kittens and cats available for purchase/adoption in their stores. Please encourage them to stop this practice, and instead focus on educating their customers to make knowledgeable choices for their own pets.

Help out with this very important cause by click "Sign Petition" below!

Many vets and pet owners are beginning to realize the benefits of feeding a raw, species-appropriate diet to their cats and dogs. One of the forerunners in offering a raw diet commercial is Stella & Chewy's, based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founder and President Marie Moody was kind enough to offer this exclusive interview with Mad About Pets and tell us about what makes her company stand out above the rest.

Marie with Stella and Chewy

(Mad About Pets) I understand that you are started Stella & Chewy's after your own dog Chewy was aided through illness by a raw diet. What are the benefits of a raw diet, and what types of common illnesses can it help prevent or treat?

(Marie) We have heard from pet owners that while feeding Stella & Chewy’s their animals have a healthier appetite and better digestion, increased stamina and vitality, healthier coat and skin and less ear and eye issue. We’ve also gotten feedback that while on this diet the animals have fewer allergies and less obesity. The food increases not only the quality of life for the pet but also longevity. Stella & Chewy’s philosophy is based upon what pets naturally eat in the wild. Our frozen and freeze dried foods are made without using any heat. Foods that are processed above 120 degrees have less active enzymes and the vitamins and minerals are also impacted by heat. The food is therefore not as bioavailable. Stella & Chewy’s products are made without grains, fillers, artificial preservatives, added hormones or antibiotics. We don’t add sugar, salt or colorings. Stella & Chewy’s offers 100% complete and balanced dinners for dogs which are 95% raw meat, poultry and fish, 5% organic fruit and vegetables with added probiotics, vitamins and minerals.

Many pet owners are leery of raw food diets because of the threat of foodborne illnesses. How does Stella & Chewy's ensure that their foods are safe?

When I first started "S & C" I didn't know a lot about the regulatory side of pet food. Then a couple of my competitors were recalled for salmonella and I quickly educated myself about it. Since the FDA mandates a 0% tolerance for salmonella in pet food, it was a challenge to figure out a way to address the issue when it’s so frequently found in chicken. I had to figure out how to do it without using heat, radiation or chemicals that would alter the food from a raw state. I found a technology called HPP- hydrostatic high pressure which is essentially cold water pressure that kills vegetative bacteria without altering the enzymes and vitamins and proteins. Stella & Chewy’s was the first company in pet or human food to use this technology in a prepackaged product. That technology combined with advanced oxidation units which omit a low level of ozone and hydrogen peroxide which kill airborne bacteria...same technology that's used on cruise ships.....is the patent pending process that we use. This keeps the raw foods safe for pets and their owners. In addition we test every batch of frozen and freeze dried products at an independent lab and post the results on our website. Customers can go online and match the batch number off their bag of food to the corresponding number online and see the results

Stella & Chewy's offers both frozen and free dried raw diets for dogs. Is there a nutritional difference between frozen and freeze dried? What are the advantages of one over the other?

When I took Chewy to the vet and found out how sick he was the vet recommended home prepared meals. I researched options and thought a raw diet made sense because it was species appropriate. It simulates how they eat in the wild and how their ancestors ate; no thumbs to make fires, no cooked foods. Foods cooked above a certain temperature lose much of their nutritional value and natural enzymes. Raw foods have natural enzymes, which are critical in building proteins and rebuilding the body. Both our freeze–dried and frozen products are raw and they do not differ nutritionally. The biggest difference is one is shelf stable and the other is frozen. The great thing about the freeze-dried is that it’s very convenient and easy to use. It’s a great option for a pet owner who’s either not familiar with or not committed to feeding a 100 % raw diet. The freeze-dried products enable him/ her to incorporate at least some raw into what is presently being feed. The freeze- dried is also extremely palatable, offers a long shelf life and is easy to travel with.

I notice that for cats, Stella & Chewy's currently offers freeze dried diets only. Is there any plan to introduce frozen patties into the current feline line of products?

At this point in time we are focused on the freeze-dried products for cats.

What would you say the biggest difference is between Stella & Chewy's and other raw food diets currently available on the market?

One big difference is that we have our own manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, WI. We have complete control over all aspects of the manufacturing and production of our products. We’ve implemented a safety process that ensures our products are free from harmful bacteria. We use only organic fruits and vegetable, cage-free poultry, wild- caught fish and naturally raised beef. Quite possibly the biggest difference between Stella & Chewy’s and other raw food diets is that we’ve made it very convenient to feed a raw diet.

Does Stella & Chewy's have plans at this point to introduce any new flavors to the cat line?

Stella & Chewy’s has recently introduced a new line of freeze-dried cat dinners in six varieties, all made from wild-caught fish and cage-free poultry. The dinners are available in Chick, Chick Chicken, Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey™, Duck, Duck Goose, Heavenly Herring & Tuna™, Sea-Licious Salmon & Cod™, and Yummy Lickin’ Salmon & Chicken™. The line includes the first-ever, single-serve dinners for cats, ideal for finicky eaters and to add mealtime variety. The single-serve pouches provide consumers ease-of-use and convenience – just add 3 tablespoons of warm water, mix & serve. Re-sealable 12 oz. bags provide customers the opportunity to purchase larger sizes once their pets establish favorites.

If you could give readers one piece of advice when it comes to pet nutrition, what would it be?

Good nutrition is the single most important factor in promoting longevity and quality of life for your pet.

COMING SOON: Mad About Pets puts Stella & Chewy's to the test!

Photo left: Stephanie Sherlund

Comedy and cats--two of Mad About Pets favorite things, together at last! Madison's Cat Care Clinic is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a comedy extravaganza, all to benefit the friendly felines of Dane County Humane Society. "Stand-Up for Cats" is an all-ages comedy show going on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the High Noon Saloon in Madison and featuring some of the area's best comedians. Event organizer and Madison's best female comedian Stephanie Sherlund was kind enough to give Mad About Pets an exclusive interview about this great event:


What kind of comedy can people expect to see at this event?

The event is for kids of all ages. While most comedy events tend to steer toward an adult audience, this event is going to be light-hearted, goofy and clean. We have also for our anniversary been working events at the DCHS such as Catapalooza and Kids Extravaganza!

Can you tell us a little about the performers at Stand-Up for Cats?

I hand selected each comedian performing at the event; we are all great friends and mesh really well as comedians and friends. I chose comedians I believe would work well for a family-friendly audience and of course my fellow feline lovers! Alan Talaga is a local talk-show host who holds The Dan Potacke Show monthly at The Frequency and is also a co-writer for Off the Square comic strip featured in The Isthmus. He jumped at the chance to be involved with anything cat-related. Ryan Casey originates from Richmond, Virginia but has been gracing the Madison comedy scene for the past couple of years and we’re glad to have him—he came in third at Madison’s Funniest Comic 2012! Adam Waldron is not only the artist who came up with our wonderful flier idea-- he is also a long-standing Midwest comedian with a child-like spirit that kids and adults alike can relate to. Aaron Quinn is a Madison Comedy native, though he hasn’t been on stage for a couple years; he is making his triumphant and much anticipated return to help us “Stand Up for Cats”. Nate Bjork, the event headliner, is not only a great comedian, but the proud father of two wonderful kitties—his humor is goofy and fun for the whole audience!


Besides comedy, are there other activities at the fundraiser?

We will be doing the stand-up event, of course, and between comedians we will be giving away our raffle prizes. Tickets for our raffle tickets will be $4 a piece or 3 for $10, 6 for $20. We have various prizes to be given away and the guests will get to decide what they opt in to win. Our prizes have been donated by local businesses and vary from hotel stays to Ale Asylum beer/t-shirt, Food Fight gift certificates, Avid Microchips for your kitty, Milio's gift certificates, gift baskets with many cat related prizes and many more great donations! Cat Care Clinic will be giving away TWO Adult Wellness Packages which include an exam, bloodwork, urinalysis and 6-month supply of Revolution parasite preventative! We will also donate a behavioral consultation with the founder of the Cat Care Clinic, world renowned feline behavior specialist, Dr. Ilona Rodan!

In addition to our great prizes given between comics you can also get a drink at the bar at our venue, High Noon Saloon, which so graciously donated the space for our event and we will have some desserts out for our guests!

How will the proceeds from Stand-Up for Cats be used?

Unlike a generic donation to the Dane County Humane Society, all of our proceeds go to benefit DCHS’s Feline Friends division. We have been fortunate to have every aspect of our event donated either by local businesses or Cat Care Clinic itself, meaning every single raffle ticket price will go to the kitties at the shelter. Feline Friends donations go to pay for all the food, litter, bedding, medical supplies, vaccinations, microchips, toys, etc.


Check out the Stand-Up for Cats event on Facebook for more information! Hope to see you there :)

Who watches your pets when you're away on vacation? Many of us are lucky enough to have a trusted friend or family member to care for our pets when we're away, but sometimes that's not a possibility. There are many pet sitters available for hire--it can be overwhelming with all the choices! It's hard to know which pet sitter is best qualified, who you can trust with your pets, and who will treat your pets with the same love and respect you give them. It's even more difficult when you live in rural Dane County, outside of the service area of many Madison-based pet sitters. Mad About Pets wants to make your job a little easier: meet Lindsay's Pet Sitting! Lindsay's Pet Sitting is based out of Waterloo, Wisconsin and serves other surrounding communities. Lindsay is a lifelong pet lover and has over 20 years of professional experience with animals. She was kind enough to grant Mad About Pets an exclusive interview about her pet sitting business. Get to know Lindsay, your new favorite pet sitter!

Lindsay and pals

What is your personal background with pets? Do you currently have any of your own?

I have been working with all kinds of animals since I was 6-7 years old. I grew up with a bunch too: dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles (iguanas, chamelions, etc), rodents (gerbils, mice, rats, etc), and of course fish. (In fact, my parents took a picture of me in my crib touching nose-to-nose with our Dachshund Charlie.) If I wasn't in school, I was attending animal care classes, dog training classes, and helping care for family's and friends' pets. I started training dogs when I was 14-15 years old in obedience, and when I was 16 I worked my first job at the Washington County Humane Society as an animal caregiver. I just continued working in various animal jobs up until currently. The list of places include the Dodge Country Humane Society as an animal caregiver, adoption counselor, receptionist, and working with the Beaver Dam Police Department for animal/stray control and on cruelty cases. I also worked at Dane County Humane Society, Spring Harbor Animal Hospital as a caregiver and vet assistant, I was a manager at a dog daycare, I worked at Pet Supermarket in Madison, and various boarding kennels around the state. I also have done animal behavior modification for aggressive dogs and cats over the years, through the humane societies and with various dog trainers. I also have volunteered at various humane societies for vaccination clinics. I have worked with all breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits, birds (including cockatiels and parrots), chinchillas, ferrets, snakes, lizards, amphibians, sugar gliders, and SO many more. I was always doing something with animals on my free time as I grew up.

Willie and Laurel, two of Lindsay's cats

What made you decide to pursue pet sitting?

I have always enjoyed caring for people's pets. It was always a natural thing for friends and family to contact me to care for their pets. They knew I had a strong passion for animal care, had a good rapport with animals, and made a connection that was very spiritual with the animals. 3 years ago I moved to Waterloo due to a divorce. At that time I noticed there weren't many options for boarding around this area. As I met people, and they found out what I did for a living, they asked me to care for their pets. (I was also hearing from a number of people they were upset with the boarding prices at many of the facilities around and that it was inconvienient to drive 20-30 miles one way to board their pet. PLUS their pets were anxiety-ridden about being boarded in a kennel.) I was commuting to my job at a pet care facility on Nesbitt Rd in Madison 5 days a week, driving a total of 500 miles a week. There came a point I couldn't drive that much, due to gas prices, anymore. This past February I decided to market my own pet sitting services. I figured with over 20 years of animal care experience under my belt, and other qualifications (which I'll mention in a bit) and the need in this community for this kind of service, I felt it was a good fit. Animal care has always been a passion, I honestly couldn't envision being happy doing anything else.

Do you have any special training or qualifications that set you apart as a pet sitter?

Besides my previous experience mentioned, in 1997 I took a 3 month Humane Education Class at the Hinsdale Humane Society in Hinsdale, Illinois. I also attended an animal behavior class and lecture while I was working at the Dodge County Humane Society (the class taught how to reduce stress in shelter animals). Then, back in July of 2010 I completed a course for Emergency First Aid for Pets at Emergency Medical Training Services out of Brookfield, WI (run by an instructor through the Red Cross), and became certified in animal CPR and Heimlich. My pet sitting is also fully insured through American Family Insurance.

Lindsay's sugar gliders

What kinds of animals do you serve? Do you have any restrictions?

I care for all kinds of animals. I have no restrictions. Dogs (all breeds, I'm 100% comfortable around Rottweilers, Dobermans, Shepherds, and the bully breeds), cats, birds, rabbits, exotics (chinchillas, sugar gliders, wildlife, etc), lizards, repitles (yes even snakes-I have no fear of them), amphibians, and even livestock (I have clients who have llamas, sheep, steers, horses, etc). I have always had dogs and cats of my own, but I've also had 2 chinchillas and 4 ferrets in the past. I've grown up with Great Danes, Bassets, and a Shepherd/Collie mix, so I'm used to BIG dogs. I've also rehabilitated a red squirrel and a grey squirrel. Currently, I have 7 cats, 2 dogs (a Basset Hound and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi/Miniature Poodle mix), a mini-lop bunny, 5 sugar gliders, 2 gerbils, and two 50 gallon fish tanks. One of the tanks is all chichlids (which are aggressive fish), the other tank is a community tank with a Snakeskin Gourami, various species of tetras, etc which are non-aggressive fish. So, as you can see, this passion still carries on in my personal life.

Contact Lindsay's Pet Sitting to see if you're in her service area!

Where is your service area?

My service area is Waterloo, Watertown, Lake Mills, Marshall, Sun Prairie, and all the country roads in-between.

Why should Mad About Pets' readers hire Lindsay's Pet Sitting over other pet sitters?

As I tell everyone, I take animal care seriously. Animals can't speak, and they trust us, so we need to show them that respect and love back and work to understand them and their needs. In my eyes, animal care doesn't take a vacation, just because it's a holiday and everyone else is not working, that doesn't mean your pets don't need care during that time. I apply that dedication to every single animal I care for. I am always flexible and don't mind working through the holidays. I'm a no-nonsense kind of person. In my eyes, someone saying on paper why they're "the best" is a good selling point, but it's the personal connection I make with the owner and the pets (and my experience) that speaks for itself. Pet sitting IS my full time job, I do not have another full-time job. This is considered a part-time position, but I also am the Alderperson for Ward 4/5 on the Waterloo City Council currently. I also am on the Community Development Committee, Public Safety and Health Committee, the Plan Commission, and the Library Board. So, I'm very involved with the community, and serving the public politically has run through generations of my family. Everyone from my great aunt, to my grandma, then my mom (she also was the Municipal Court Judge in Horicon as I was growing up) have "politically served" either in their communities, and even in Washington D.C.

Willie and Bella

Where can readers find more information about Lindsay's Pet Sitting?

As I tell everyone, my preferred method of finding out about my services is to call me at 608-279-4264. While email is ok, I prefer speaking to an actual person, I believe there is a level of respect due when working with people's pets. Email, or any other electronic method, is very impersonal in my opinion, and I pride myself on establishing a real-life in-person bond with someone. Otherwise for simple inquiries people can check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lindsayspetsitting or email me: kitt...@gmail.com

Everyone knows that dogs love going for a walk. Even the laziest pups enjoy a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood! Unfortunately in today's hectic society, sometimes it is hard to make time to walk the dog every day, or walk the dog as far as he'd like to go. This can lead to an overactive dog with no way to burn off his extra energy, or even an obesity problem.

What can you do in a situation like this? You could hire a neighborhood teenager to walk the dog. But what if there are no trustworthy teens? What if you live in a quiet neighborhood full of retirees? The prospect of having a healthy, active dog may start to seem bleak. You may give up on your dream of owning a canine companion. NOT SO FAST!

Dogs Love Running to the rescue!

Dogs Love Running is a dog running and dog walking franchise that offers a variety of pet care services including pet sitting, dog walking, and...dog running! Yep, you heard me right---they will actually take your dog for a run. Imagine how tuckered out your dog would be after a long, satisfying run!

At the moment, Dogs Love Running is only available in Illinois and Indiana, but it's a quickly growing franchise and certain to spread throughout the midwest soon. Hey, if you're serious about pet care or fitness, you may even want to check out starting a franchise of your own! Though Dogs Love Running doesn't yet have a location in Wisconsin, they were kind enough to grant Mad About Pets an in-depth interview about their business.

Mad About Pets can't wait until Dogs Love Running is available here in the Madison Area!

Photo credit: thatmutt.com

(Mad About Pets) First off…why dog running? Is it better for dogs to run than walk?

(Dogs Love Running) We started this company and our flagship service, dog running, because we saw a need that many dogs have; they are naturally full of energy but their owners have very limited time/ability to really let their dog cut loose and expel that energy in a positive way.


Running can be great exercise for many dogs. Clients of ours that have sporting breeds like Labs, Retrievers, and other high-energy dogs absolutely love our running service. For them, running is a better option than walking just because it allows the dog to use up the energy inside them that otherwise might manifest itself in other ways (sometimes as bad behavior). For other clients of ours, walking is the better option due to the breed's nature, health concerns, or physical limitations.

 Do you find that certain breeds pop up more frequently in your business than others? Does it seem that some breeds *need* to run more than others?

(DLR) Certain breeds naturally have more energy than others and most of our running clients tend to be mid-size to larger sporting type dogs. We still have pugs and bulldogs and those types of breeds too, but they'll use our walking service, not the running. Although we wouldn't say that any dog needs to specifically RUN, many do absolutely need a way to use all the pent up energy inside them. Running with us is a safe, consistent, and reliable means to burn off that energy and make dogs tired.

Photo credit: 4pawsu.com

If a dog has never run on a leash before, is it something they pick up on easily? Does a dog need to be well-trained to walk on a leash before they can use your service?

We've never had a situation where a dog wouldn't be able to walk or run with us on a leash. Some dogs are more trained and used to being on a leash than others and that definitely makes our job easier. But even if they're not used to being on a leash, we always follow general dog training principles of keeping the dog on our left side and right next to us so that they get a consistent experience. They'll typically get used to this pretty quickly and it helps make for a more enjoyable experience for all since they know what to do.

What kinds of people do you think most frequently use Dogs Love Running?

85% of our customers are those that are at work during the day (or somewhere that takes them out of their home for 8-12 hours/day) and need us to come and make a mid-day visit with their dog. Sometimes we visit 5 days per week if it's a case where the pet needs a bathroom break in addition to the exercise. Some clients have us come 2 or 3 times per week mostly just for the exercise portion of what we do. Also, there are lots of people that don't necessarily need us for running, but still appreciate what we can do for their pets with our walking service. Pugs, toy breeds, and many other dogs make for great walking partners. The other 15% of our business is from pet sitting. When people are gone for more than a day at a time, we can come and take care of their pets at their home. This can be for dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, and most other household pets.

What kinds of safety precautions do you take so that customers know their dog is in good hands?

Pet and human safety is our number one consideration. As mentioned earlier, we adhere to generally accepted dog training principles while walking/running as well as during all other times when we have possession of a customer's furry friend. This helps keep people and pets safe since we're always doing the same things in a consistent and reliable manner. Our franchisees are people that run their business as their full-time job so they take it very seriously. They are always involved in dealing with the customers and keep a very detailed watch over their staff team members. All the people on our team go through an extensive interview and background check process as well as do a lot of training before they come in contact with customers' animals. Because of what we do and how we do it, we attract highly-qualified, responsible, trustworthy, and energetic staff members who truly love what they do.

Photo credit: petazon.com

You also provide dog walking services: how important is it for elderly and/or obese dogs to get out every day to walk? Can you provide service to special dogs like these?

Nearly every dog not only wants, but also needs, some type of routine exercise. For extreme examples that may include physical and/or health limitations, we need the client's veterinarian to sign off on what we're doing. Assuming that we have authorization, we can definitely help with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Not all our clients use us for running. Many use us for walking and even just backyard playtime. For an elderly pug, as an example, a run isn't going to be what they need. But some gentle backyard playing or a very casual stroll up and down the block in short distances may be just the ticket. We're very in tune with what the animal wants and can handle.

In your opinion, what is the most important reason people should consider checking out Dogs Love Running?

What we do that's different than 99.9% of all the other related services out there is that we try to help pets live longer and behave better through exercise. As a customer of Dogs Love Running!, you know that everything we do has a focus on exercise, healthy choices, and living an active lifestyle. And using our service is super-easy. We have the same team member visit your pet all the time, flexible scheduling, automated weekly credit card billing, and many other operational processes that make it a breeze for people to work with us. And, if someone is considering starting a pet business, they can join our team as a franchisee and we'll help them start and operate their own Dogs Love Running! business in their home town. We love what we do and both our human and animal clients love it, too.

People can find out more at http://www.dogsloverunning.com/ or by calling 1-877-PETS-RUN.

Here is a way to help DCHS that Mad About Pets just learned about today...Community Change! Community Change is a website that offers discounted gift cards for local restaurants, stores, etc. like Wando's, The Brink Lounge, Benvenuto's, Claddagh Irish Pub, and tons more. When you buy a discounted gift card through Community Change, DCHS (or several other charities, if you prefer) will get 20% of the purchase price donated to them.


Click the image to check out Community Change's gift card deals!

 Next time you're looking to buy a gift, consider purchasing a gift card through Community Change and help homeless animals in Dane County! Heck, why not just treat yourself to a gift card at a local spa? :)

HUNT FOR YOUR EASTER EGG AND REDEEM FOR A FREEBIE WITH YOUR PURCHASE!

Examples of prizes: BOWLS ~ BEDS ~ CAT TOYS ~ DOG TOYS ~ FREE BATH AND DESHEDDING TREATMENT ~ FREE NAIL TRIMS ~ COLLARS ~ LEASHES ~ DOG AND CAT FOOD ~ PET NATURAL TREATS ~DELIFRESH 8 OZ BAGS OF DOG NATION TREATS ~ CAT ATTRACT LITTER ~ TECH CLEANING PRODUCTS~ MUCH MORE!

Fitchburg Store

2990 Cahill Main
Fitchburg, WI 53711
608-277-5900

Store Hours:
M-F: 10-8, Sat: 9-6, Sun: 11-4
Capitol Square Store
14 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
608-271-7888

Store Hours:
M-F: 11-6, Sat: 10-5, Sunday: 11-4

Online retailer Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture provides designer and luxury pet furniture for cats and dogs of all sizes. The website features quality premium cat and dog beds for sale, in small and large sizes, bumper, donut/round, and elevated/raised. They also offer a large selection of Made in the USA and earth eco friendly furniture for your pet.

Madison resident Barb Pawlik has owned and operated Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture since 2007. Her husband, Carl, helps out by doing unique engraved glass pet portraits, memorials, pet portrait lights, etc. It is truly a 21st century "mom and pop" business! As of March 11, 2009, Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture carries only products made in the USA. According to Barb, "I've always thought it was important to try to use only products produced in America in both my personal and business life. I'm happy to say I've now found several manufacturers who not only make their own products right here on U.S. soil, they do it in an earth-friendly manner. Yes, you can buy less expensive beds, gates, toys & more elsewhere. But I hope you won't! This is my small effort to support USA workers and the products they make. If we all make some contribution to this effort maybe we can turn the economy around. It's become my mantra, "Is it made in the US? Ok, let's talk. If not, thanks but no thanks." "

So before you buy your next piece of pet furniture from Amazon or another online retailer, consider purchasing from Comfy Cozy Pet Furniture to keep your money right here in Madison supporting local business and American manufacturing.

From Tabby & Jack's:

It brings us great excitement to announce that we will be opening a location on the Capitol Square this August! After much research in many of Madison's neighborhoods and the surrounding communities, we found the Capitol Square to be the greatest opportunity for us. The Central Downtown District currently is lacking a pet store and grooming facility and we are thrilled to fill this need!

We will be located at 14 W. Mifflin on the Square located next to Coopers Tavern and conveniently located 1/2 block from State Street. Meter Parking is available on Mifflin or in the W. Dayton/N. Carroll parking ramp only one block away.

We will provide the same human grade dog and cat food free of byproducts and fillers. Our focus still remains on fresh foods containing raw meats balanced for your dog or cat. Of course the unique accessories will also be plentiful including new lines of gifts for the pet lover.

We will also provide full service grooming. Our holistic grooming salons provide the most calming environment for your pet. We do not use cage dryers and only use the highest quality products free of any chemicals. The 1-2 hour appointment is ideal for a trip to the square with just enough time to grab a bite to eat, some java or shopping on State Street.

To make a Capitol Square location possible, we are moving our inventory and equipment from Struck Street and closing the west side store. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause our west side patrons, and hope you understand that this was an opportunity of a lifetime that was too hard to pass up.

Because of the anticipated closing, new store hours for Struck Street will be as follows:

-Monday: Closed
-Thursday: 11-6
-Friday: 11-6
-Saturday: 9-1
-Sunday: Closed

Starting immediately, everything store-wide at the Struck Street location is 20% Off. We anticipate Struck Street closing permanently in approximately 3 weeks.

Please stay tuned for our downtown opening sometime in August!

Bone Appetit!

The Pack at Tabby & Jack's

From Tabby & Jack's:

Saturday, February 27, 2010- Tabby & Jack's Grand Opening!

Stop by the NEW Struck Street location (631 Struck St, Madison WI 53711) for freebees, coupons, in-store specials, demos, "Ask the Vet" and much much more!

*Free Stella & Chewy's Raw and Freeze Dried Trail Size Patties
*Free Tech Stain removers wipes
*Free Tabby & Jack's canvas bag with $20 purchase,
 *...and Much, Much More!!!

FREE NAIL TRIMS FROM 12-2 IN THE TABBY & JACK'S MOBILE GROOMING VAN!! First come first serve!

Drawings:

(No purchase necessary. Must come instore to register. Need not be present during drawing)

(2) Stella & Chewy's Gift Baskets ($40 Value ea.)
(2) Large Bags of NutriSource Dog Food ($40 Value ea.)
(2) Tabby & Jack's Baskets with Tabby and Jack's Cookies, Canvas Bag, Free Groom and Planet Dog toy ($100 value!)

The store is open M-F from 11:00am-6:00pm, Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm, and closed Sundays.

To celebrate the opening of their new Struck Street location in Madison, Tabby & Jack's is holding a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, February 27, 2010! Many experts will be on hand to talk about raw diets, training, and healthcare. Stop by the new location anytime during the month of February to receive a treat bag for your dog or cat.

To further celebrate, Tabby & Jack's will have great deals this month, so check out the monthly specials and stop by either store before the end of the month to take advantage of these great deals!

Tabby & Jack's also provides mobile grooming and home delivery service for your pet's supplies. Please call 277-5900 to arrange for mobile services.

The new Tabby & Jack's location can be found at 631 Struck Street, Madison WI 53711. The store is open M-F from 11:00am-6:00pm, Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm, and closed Sundays.

Madison, WI, October 17, 2009 -- When Tami Lewis, the owner of Gotta Go Out, LLC, wanted a way to celebrate her local pet sitting company's anniversary and give back to the Madison area pet community, she decided to participate in a national pet goods/fund raiser called Wishbones for Pets. What she didn't know was which local adoption or rescue group to help. Then she met Tony.

Tony is a whippet mix that was being fostered by her clients Lauren and Michael Wojtasiak. He had come from an overflowing shelter in Illinois. "We found out that he was heartworm positive before he came and that the poor guy had been attacked by dogs before making his way to us", says Lauren. Madison Mutts spent money treating Tony's heartworms, but it was well worth it for Tony. After some basic training, medical care, and a good foster home with Michael and Lauren, he turned out to be the perfect family dog. Tony was adopted by a wonderful mom and her two sons and they have reported that he has brought such joy to their lives.

As a pet sitter who loves all pets, Tony stole Tami's heart and she decided that Madison Mutts would be the rescue group she wanted to help by hosting the Wishbones for Pets program in Madison. Wishbones for Pets began in 2004 by Janet Depathy, a professional pet sitter in Plymouth, MA. It is the first pet sitter related charity open to all professional pet sitters in North America, and runs annually from mid-October through the week after Thanksgiving. The pet sitter asks local businesses to sponsor drop off bins for pet goods donations or coin jars in their store or office. Since 2004, hundreds of pet sitters across the United States and Canada have participated in the program.

Madison Mutts is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on volunteers and donations. Every donation helps them continue their much needed work. The Wishbones for Pets program runs until November 29th and the following businesses are sponsoring donation bins for dog goods or coin jars for cash donations.

• Tabby and Jacks, 2990 Cahill Main, Fitchburg
• Bad Dog Frida, 2094 Atwood Avenue, Madison
• Nutzy Mutz and Crazy Catz, 330 W. Lakeside and 555 S Midvale Blvd, Madison
• Candlin Pet Hospital, 1244 S Park Street, Madison
• Rufus DuMonde Pet Salon, 600 Williamson Street, Madison
• Goochi Poochi, 6708 Raymond Rd, Madison
• Finer DeTails Pet Spa, 5502 Mahocker Rd., Mezomanie
• Whole Pet Veterinary Clinic, 529 S Park St, Madison
• Dog Lovers of Madison, 901 Watson Avenue, Madison
• Muir Field Pet Clinic, 3175 Muir Field Rd., Madison
• Companion Animal Hospital, 660 South Gammon Rd., Madison

Related Post: Mad About Pets' interview with Gotta Go Out, LLC owner Tami Lewis

Rover Makeovers is one of Dane County's premier pet grooming businesses. Based out of Cambridge, WI, it is a full service spa sure to please even the most discerning of pets (and of course their owners!) Mad About Pets is pleased to provide you this exclusive interview with owner Julie Anderson:

What animal(s) does/does your business cater to, and what kinds of products/services do you offer?

We cater to both dogs and cats, but we see a lot more dogs. We offer trendy or traditional pet grooming with a gentle touch. We will soon be offering touches of color or the bling of Swarovski crystals to your pet. We use spa line products & give blueberry facials and paw treatments. We also offer beautiful & unique pet photography at the location of your choice. And introducing "Spoiled Rotten Rover", a small line of unique gifts for for dogs & the humans who love them. We are proud to carry Fido-Vite, a natural food supplement to help keep your dog healthy from the inside out.

What made you decide to start up your business (how did your business come about?)

I have had a love affair with dogs since I was a little girl. Unfortunately , allergies kept me from owning a dog for many years. Thankfully, I out grew those allergies. I had gone to school for commercial art & photography in the 70"s. I became a groomer 19 years ago in Illinois. After 12 years there, I moved back to Wisconsin & eventually to Cambridge where I found the perfect little spot, right on Main St. to open Rover Makeovers.

How are you different from other groomers in the Madison area?

I am different because I understand dogs & their behavior. They seem to know right from the start that I am someone they can trust. I keep it calm by not having a shop full of barking unhappy dogs. They are rarely kenneled & wait by the front door or in the front window on a bed for their "taxi" to pick them up. We are not a "daycare". It is rare that a dog has to spend the whole day in our shop. Most are picked up when they are finished unless requested by the owner to pick up after work. I also am pretty good at what I do & will suggest for you a stye that I think would make your dog look best. Not to mention, I have the very best homemade doggie jerky around! Everyone gets a reward after their grooming!

What is your favorite aspect of your business?

Being able to spend the day with various dogs and "sculpt" them in to works of living art.

How can customers contact you for more information or with questions?

By phone at 608-445-0755 or email at mydogsdig@gmail.com, visit one of my websites http://www.rmpetportraits.com/ or http://www.rovermakeovers.com/, or just stop in at 150 W Main St, Cambridge, WI 53523

Gotta Go Out, LLC is one of Madison's premier pet sitting services. Principal Owner Tami Lewis provided this exclusive interview with Mad About Pets, to help better acquaint pet owners in Dane County with the history of Gotta Go Out, LLC and the services offered:

What animals does your business cater to?

Cats, Dogs, Fish, Birds (including parrots), Lizards, Horses, Chickens, Hamsters, etc. Pretty much any pet, as long as they don’t require live feedings during the visit and they are in our service area of Central, West, or South Madison; Fitchburg; Middleton; Monona; or Verona.


What made you decide to start up your business (how did your business come about?)

After working 20 plus years in corporate America and using pet sitting services to take care of my own pets, I decided to follow my passion for pets and start my own pet sitting business.

Please describe your facility or accommodations, and any special training or accolades you or your staff possess.

Gotta Go Out, LLC is bonded and insured and a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI). I (Tami Lewis) have been trained in pet first aid through the American Red Cross and am an accredited pet sitter through PSI. I am well versed in caring for pets from cats and dogs to rodents, reptiles, parrots, and horses. I have cared for geriatric pets, provided hospice services, provided puppy training, and medicated pets when needed.

How are you different from other animal boarding/sitting services in the Madison area?

I spent some time and money getting accredited by Pet Sitters International, the largest pet sitting organization in the world. I also set the business up as an LLC from the beginning and bought Liability insurance and got bonded. I currently have 100% satisfied customers and I go out of my way to keep my reputation extremely high. I have experience providing hospice care to pets ill with cancer as well as administering medications, so I offer services to human clients with their terminally ill and geriatric pets.

How can customers contact you for more information or with questions?

For general information about Gotta Go Out’s services and pricing, the website is a good resource. They can see it at http://www.ggout.com/. If they wish to ask questions or get more information, they can contact me at (608) 316-2021 or tlewis@ggout.com.

The Bucky Book contains 2-for-1 and 50% off offers for 300+ local merchants, as well as over 50 coupons for absolutely free items and services! An added bonus to this year's edition is online access to even more coupons and offers, as well as special deals sent to buyers (with online access) on their birthday or anniversary. In addition, the book comes with a free gift of over $70 in coupons good-as-cash with 16 participating businesses.

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For more info: Participating businesses, Buy Bucky Book online, More Bucky Book Info

Located at 4934 Felland Road, Camp K9 Pet Care Center has offered devoted service to Madison area dogs for over two decades. Just what makes Camp K9 so special, and how have they enjoyed such longevity? Owner Lori Campbell discussed these questions and more in an exclusive interview with Mad About Pets:

What animal(s) does/does your business cater to, and what kinds of products/services do you offer?

Camp K9 is a full service pet care facility. We offer boarding for dogs and cats, Daycamp (Mon-Fri for social dogs), Grooming, Training and some retail.

What made you decide to start up your business (how did your business come about?)

A lifelong passion for animals combined with a dream of starting a premier pet facility since the age of 16. Camp K9 started with the purchase of a home with a small kennel attached and turned a dream into a reality for myself and my husband Duncan. That was 24 years ago. The once small kennel has grown into the Madison area’s premier pet pamperer.

Please describe your facility or accommodations, and any special training or accolades you or your staff possesses.

Camp K9 is nestled in a serene wooded valley on Madison's east side. We offer accommodations to suit every taste and budget. From our classic rooms to our lavish Bed and Biscuit suites, all of which were recently remodeled, customers can have a choice of accommodations for their pet's visit. House -buddies, our newest overnight option, allows your pet a true "just like home" experience.

We are proud of our many acres of grass play yards for our guests to enjoy during their visit. Our customers always express that is one of their favorite parts of bringing their dogs here - because their pet's come home tired, refreshed and happy from these extra playtimes we offer and that we have such huge areas for their pet's to play in.

We offer multi-level custom designed Kitty condos with indoor/outdoor access and believe they are the largest kitty room accommodations available in the area. We are currently working on remodeling our activity and training center which rounds out our facility.

Many of our staff members have pet CPR certification. Our staff has more than 2 centuries of combined pet care experience; this may make us the most experienced facility around.


How are you different from other animal boarding/sitting services in the Madison area?

We really are Madison's premier pet spa. Camp K9 has been in the same location and under the same ownership for more than 24 years now. With this kind of experience and a commitment to Madison's pets and their people we are unparalleled. We also feel we stand out because of our country setting with lots of room to run and play for our guests. We have several acres of fenced in play yards, plus more acres of nature trails for pets to use. These big yards and fresh air make for a great vacation for any pet.

For more info: Visit Camp K9's website or call at (608) 249-3939

With locations in both Fitchburg and Middleton, Happy Dogz Daycare is an established business serving the greater Madison area with doggy daycare, recreation and care services for nine years and counting. Owner Joel Hinsey was happy to discuss Happy Dogz with Mad About Pets:

What animal(s) does your business cater to, and what kinds of products/services do you offer?

We cater to canines. We offer daycare and light grooming (baths, ears, nails, teeth) and Dog's Best Friend offers training classes at each of our locations.

What made you decide to start up your business (how did your business come about?)
My wife and I are dog lovers and saw the need for dog daycare on the West Side of Madison. We did a lot of research, consulted with some trainers and other existing dog daycares and opened our 1st location in May of 2000.

Please describe your facility or accommodations, and any special training or accolades you/your staff possess.
Our locations have 5000 square feet of indoor play space that is heated and air conditioned. We have a variety of toys and activities including bubble machines, kongs, agility equipment, play equipment and swimming pools for the dogs to enjoy! Our staff is trained in dog play behavior and pet first aid.

How are you different from other animal boarding/sitting services in the Madison area?
What sets us apart is our staff and our focus. Many of my staff have worked for us longer than most of the other dog daycares have been in business. We have over 120 satisfied customers bringing their beloved dogs to Happy Dogz (between both locations) daily and many of my staff have been serving those people for years and years. Anyone who brings their dogs to us know that our staff loves and cares personally for every dog that comes through the doors.

The other thing that makes us different is the fact that we focus on daycare. We are not a kennel or a training company. We do not offer hair cuts or vet services. We do daycare and we do it well. All the dogs at Happy Dogz are there for the day. They are not stressed from being away from their owners for an extended period of time or because they just got their shots at the vet clinic. They know when they come to Happy Dogz they are there for one reason: to come in for the day and play with other dogs in a safe and fun environment!

How can customers contact you for more information or with questions?
If customers want to contact us they can check out our website, email me personally at joel@happyz.com or call our locations: Fitchburg at 608-278-8563 or Middleton at 608-831-1283.

PETSITTERS AND BOARDING

Aunt B's Pet Resort
6990 Hickory Ln
DeForest WI
Ph: (608) 846-4115‎

Camp K-9
4934 Felland Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 249-3939‎

Catnip Hill
3312 County Rd W
Deerfield WI
Ph: (608) 764-5406‎

Gotta Go Out
P.O. Box 6281
Monona WI
Ph: (608) 316-2021‎

Happy Dogz
3148 Deming Way
Middleton WI
Ph: (608) 831-1283‎

--and--

6060 Mckee Rd.
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608) 278-8563‎

Hound Huddle
1145 Park St
Oregon WI
Ph: (608) 835-6622

MadTown Critter Care, Inc.
PO Box 8732
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 225-3369

The Dog Den
2821 Index Road
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 278-7529

The Pet Squad
1201 Meadow Sweet Dr.
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 669-7387

Windogs Pet Lodge
2332 Pinehurst Dr.
Middleton WI
Ph: (608) 831-8000‎

TRAINING

Blue Dog Training

1830 Helena Street
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 213-5304‎

Dog's Best Friend Training

2409 Muir Field Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 277-1339

If you would like to add a sitter or trainer to this list, please contact me.