Pet Services in New Britain

In the fall of 2003, Bryan was working as a successful business analyst. He had a great job, had recently purchased his own house, and adopted his new best friend, Tuckerman. Bryan struggled leaving his 9-pound black-lab puppy at home when he went to work and grew weary of his unfulfilled search for a place with compassion, knowledge, and resources for him and his new pooch. Hoping to fill that gap in the community, Bryan opened Appalachian Tails Pet Company in 2005. He recruited staff members who matched his passion for pet care. Together, they opened a pet-nutrition center stocked with high-quality pet food backed by a satisfaction guarantee, toys and snacks for cats and dogs, and an aquatic center that houses African cichlids, fancy guppies, and misguided swedish fish. The pet-friendly facility, which houses more than 10,000 products, also stocks food, toys, and accessories for ferrets, hamsters, birds, and reptiles.

Man's best friend isn't just a pet to the staff at this pup parlor, but a member of their client's family. As such, each canine is treated like a four-legged king and rewarded with luxuries ranging from spa appointments to birthday parties. At the pet "spaw", canines can bid adieu to excess fur with a grooming session or release stress from chasing their ever-elusive tails with a white-tea-and-vanilla bath. Though denied a driver's license by state law, furry pals can still get from point A to B with taxi services, which employ a van outfitted with special harnesses to shuttle dogs to their daycare or grooming sessions. The Good Dog Spot also boasts a small boutique stocked with pet food, collars, and treats from local New England manufacturers and trusted national brands.

The staffers at The Landlocked Dog don't put sugar into dogs’ birthday cakes. To cater to doggy palates, they only use all-natural ingredients such as bananas, honey, carrots, and peanut butter, though they can still spell out the name of the birthday pooch in icing. They also handcraft treats for their store's brand, Sophie's Seabiscuits, shaping delectable morsels into hearts and ladybugs. They concoct seasonal bites for the treat-of-the-month club, which gives pups two half-pound bags of incentive to do their owner’s laundry.

Their dedication to wholesome pet care extends beyond gustatory rewards, however. The boutique stocks fashionable collars, leashes, and grooming products tailored toward specific ailments, including odor and itchiness. Their selection of calming music—composed specifically to put dogs at ease—fosters peaceful car rides, in which pups aren't compulsively changing the radio station. At doggy daycare, small packs can frolic about the cozy and comforting setting while their owners check in via webcam.

Frank and Jen Allen, along with their canine companion, Buddy, strive to provide a nurturing home away from home for pets while families are away at work or on vacation. Pups romp freely around a fenced outdoor yard with other fuzzy friends before heading indoors, where spotless accommodations inspire restful dreams of taking over the postal service. Petopia Doggie Day Care also provides expert grooming services, delivering dogs and cats back to owners with a pleasant new-car smell.

Nestled on 55 acres brimming with evergreen trees and verdant fields, Integrity Equestrian Center's facilities cater to equestrians' every need, hosting activities ranging from lessons and camps to dressage competitions. Inside the main barn, the team of school horses whinnies in anticipation of rides across the wood-chipped trails or romps in the indoor arenas or outdoor ring, equipped with gates and fences for the age-old English sport of horse limbo. Whether helping advanced riders further their hunter-jumper skills or introducing beginners to the basics of horsemanship, the ranch's instructors—all experienced riders themselves—create a fun and positive learning environment during private or group lessons.

Due to improper training or seemingly aggressive appearances, some dog breeds have bad reputations. At Northeast K-9 Academy, however, the trained and dedicated staffers see past stereotypes and offer grooming, boarding, and training services to dogs regardless of their size, breed, or questionable musical tastes. Inside the three spacious indoor playrooms, pooches can explore, romp, and nap. Outside, a fenced-in stone play area provides dogs with fresh air and room to run while keeping their paws and coats clean.