Pet Services in Lancaster

Each year, the SPCA Serving Erie County gives more than 15,000 dogs, cats, and exotic pets a new lease on life. Founded in 1867—making it the second-oldest humane society in the country—the SPCA’s compassionate animal rescue, rehabilitation, foster care, and adoption services have earned Charity Navigator’s four-star rating for extraordinary accountability and transparency, the highest rating available in all three categories. In the adoption center, furry faces peer from comfortable, clean cages as staff and volunteers evaluate customers’ needs and introduce them to compatible pets, decreasing the chance of conflict when adopters' favorite shows compete with Animal Planet specials. Before becoming eligible for adoption, pets undergo thorough health, temperament, and behavioral evaluations, and those who need extra TLC receive additional obedience training.

In addition to matching people with loving pets, SPCA Serving Erie County’s staff investigates more than 200 animal-cruelty complaints per month, and provides emergency animal-rescue services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rescued animals receive state-of-the-art medical care in the facility’s onsite surgical suite, and rehabilitation programs prepare them to thrive in loving homes. A local, independent humane society, the donation-supported SPCA Serving Erie County is not associated with the ASPCA and receives no government funding.

Spruce Meadow Farm is owned and operated by Al and Karla Deacon, who lovingly tend to the 20 horses that reside inside a complex of three riding rings—including an indoor ring—and two barns. For the past 20 years, the couple has been assisting and administering year-round lessons for riders of all ages, guiding trainees toward stronger bonds with their equine counterparts. Their lessons detail proper mounting, grooming, and tacking techniques, and culminate with safe cool-down exercises rather than unsafe attempts at horseback surfing. Al and Karla also assist equine enthusiasts through walker-led pony rides and ferry services geared toward off-site rides. Gift certificates are also available, to give the gift of riding to friends and loved ones.

The slight breeze one feels upon entering A Gentle Touch Pet Care Services, Inc.’s breed-standard grooming facility is generated not by fans, but by feverishly wagging tails. Dogs who find themselves in the certified groomers’ care have ample reasons for excitement, starting with a hydromassage bath that washes mud from paws and undersides with soothing jets. Owner Charlene Hibbs watches over the proceedings, drawing on knowledge gleaned from her advanced pet-sitting courses at A Pet’s World Academy in Loomis, California, to gently coax away stresses and existential crises triggered by endless, meaningless games of fetch.

Charlene and her fellow groomers tend to cats as well as dogs, with spa packages that include scented facial scrubs, aromatherapy treatments, and hair conditioners designed to prevent itching and shedding. In-home cat-sitting services include at least half an hour of feline care so that cats don’t have to face traumatic travel experiences, such as explaining why they can’t buckle their seatbelts properly.

At Dog E. Woggy's K-9 Playtime, qualified canine supervisors watch precious pets as they rest, frolic, and make new friends amid cage-free play spaces, beds, and boarding units. Pooches romp amid padded rubber toys, watchful human minders, and 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor play areas during recess sessions that promote healthy exercise and development of social skills. Private playgroups safely separate pets into bunches based on energy level and size, while two-hour dog birthday parties see staff members treating lucky pups to cakes and explaining the meaning of birthdays to befuddled animals. Nearby, Sophie's Salon beckons to mud-covered dogs and their exasperated owners, pampering four-legged dirt magnets with brushing, shampoo, teeth cleaning, nail polishing and grooming from a certified technician. Within the well-stocked barktique, treats and food items made from human-grade ingredients elicit impressive tricks from hungry hounds.:m]]

Paws and Claws prides itself as a comprehensive stop for all furry friends. At each location, owners can bring along their creatures to find ample supplies to feed and entertain them, such as a large selection of toys and treats. Their knowledgeable staff includes professional groomers and retail specialists trained in the ways of pet nutrition and hygiene, as well as a consulting veterinarian who keeps the business up-to-date on animal-health trends. This commitment to enhancing the quality and longevity of pet lifespans is also apparent in Paws and Claws' donations to animal charities and adoption efforts.

Since 1988, Pet Supplies Plus has welcomed millions of furry critters of every stripe—from llamas and monkeys to potbellied pigs—into their animal-friendly stores. The shop is designed 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.