Pet Services in Auburndale

Pet apparel ranges from $15 to $40, and toys start at $6. Fetch. Fur. Love. also carries organic dog snacks ($6–$12), holistic and natural goods ($15–$70), and gourmet bites ($1.75–$3.50). Lather up Fido and save on pricey trips to the groomer with pampering products ($2–$15), or reclaim your side of the bed and invest in your pooch's own sleeping spot ($35–$250). Lavish a neglected mutt, spoil your god-puppy, or dote on the canines at your weekly PAWS meetings.

Mark and Sheryl McEachern, owners of the Woof Gang Bakery location in Lutz, opened their shop in hopes it would become a place where pet owners enjoy visiting with their furry friends. "We plan on knowing all the neighborhood dogs by name," Mark says. Bubblegum-pink walls and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling give the shop the feel of a clothing boutique, though displayed trays of dog biscuits and homemade canine cakes leave no doubt as to the store's intended clientele. Helping pet owners provide holistic food for their animals is a priority at the shop, with plentiful dog- and cat-food choices in natural and grain-free varieties. The McEacherns also stock their shelves with chew toys and accessories, perfect for doggy birthday gifts or house-training recognition ceremonies.

Red Fox Stables' experienced equine lovers bring together human and horse for relaxing trail rides, enlightening lessons, and equestrian camps for kids. During trail rides, riders steer their four-hoofed vehicles through the Alafia River Corridor Preserve, keeping their eyes open for passing deer, armadillos, and other wildlife. Horse whisperers match riders to their mobile half based on gender, height, and age, providing helmets that riders 18 or younger must wear.

During lessons, lone rangers or small groups get hands-on training in grooming and tacking before seizing the reins themselves on the riding area and trails. The stables’ seasoned instructors record each lesson on video, allowing students to track their progress and search their gentle steed's expressions for signs of true love. Red Fox Stables also caters to horse-oriented youths with camps and birthday-party specials, during which kids interact with equine residents and enjoy horse-related crafts and games.

Different from the average pet-boarding facility, Paradise 4 Paws has a bone-shaped pool surrounded by more than 20,000 square feet of indoor play area, plush accommodations, and comfy boarding suites. Staff members roam the facility 24/7, playing with animals during the day, tucking them in at night, and performing à la carte services such as grooming, obedience training, health checkups, and canine massage therapy. Paradise 4 Paws has its own training academy, and its pet-care professionals have received pet-first-aid certification from the American Red Cross.

The pet-minded staff cares about pet owners, as well, granting access to the play area’s real-time webcams and offering airport parking and transportation.

Four times a week, the Sanford Orlando Kennel Club unleashes its greyhound dogs for live, competitive contests with up to 16 races per day. Spectators can nosh trackside on savory American fare or wander the grandstand or clubhouse between heats while gazing at the tidy midfield and lush foliage framing the track. A full card of simulcast racing compliments the live action. On monitors throughout the club, nationwide greyhound, thoroughbred, and harness races beam in stretch runs and photo finishes. Once a week, amateur poker players assemble at tables overlooking the track, hoping to win a slot at a monthly or regional tournament, or to get the rare opportunity to play cards with a dog.

The Sanford Orlando Kennel Club nurtures their canine athletes long after retirement with the Adopt a Greyhound program. The initiative places dogs into loving homes with the help of four area adoption agencies, who also find school-bus-driver vacancies for retired stock-car drivers.

Since 1988, the staffers at Pet Supplies Plus have welcomed millions of furry critters of every stripe—from llamas and monkeys to potbellied pigs—into their animal-friendly stores in Pinellas Park and Clearwater. They design their shop so that both pets and their owners can easily navigate the inventory of more than 10,000 items. Wide aisles give leashed pups enough room to roam, colorful signage keeps shoppers moving in the right direction, and low shelves allow dogs to sniff out their preferred brand of rawhide chew. A self-serve dog wash enables guests to scrub their canine companions' coats to a youthful, puppy-like shine, whereas grooming services enlist professionals to tackle tougher jobs, such as brushing out matted fur or convincing dalmatians to stop mixing white and black after Labor Day.