Catering to dogs with distinguishing taste, a new Union City hub for pets offering specialized grooming services and natural and organic food and treats will officially open its doors this weekend.
Furry Tails Dog Spa and Boutique, at 3607 Park Ave., will celebrate its grand opening with pet adoptions, games, and giveaways on Sunday, May 31, from 1 to 5 p.m.
People are welcome to bring their pets or find one to call their own with the three organizations, the Liberty Humane Society, TLC Rescue, and A Purrfect World Rescue, that will be there to help people learn more about adoptions.
Furry Tails owner Mercy Garcia has also planned a doggie contest, which will include best trick and which dog looks most like its human. At the event, pet owners will also have the opportunity to find out more about natural pet food and animal health.
For more information, call Furry Tails at (201) 601-0800.
Make a mess
The spark that started Furry Tails, said Garcia, was a dog walking service she established years ago.
“She wanted to do this because she’d be able to help the animals.” – Miguel Fernandez
________
Garcia still spends some time each day walking dogs, but now, with the shop, she is able to care for dogs a little more.
“She wanted to do this because she’d be able to help the animals,” said Garcia’s husband, Miguel Fernandez.
At the shop, Garcia offers a full grooming service tailored to each dog that includes shampoo and conditioner as well as cleaning under the nails and the ears.
“I like to pretty much transform the dogs and make them look good,” said Garcia.
Or, if the clients so choose, they can wash their dogs themselves. Furry Tails has two washing facilities in the back and will provide all the towels and product.
“They make the mess,” said Garcia, “and we clean it up.”
Garcia added that in the future, she plans to also have massages and even Reiki energy work available for pets. Everything is by appointment, and each dog gets its own two hours of pampering and individual attention.
In addition to offering treatments, Furry Tails also carries natural and organic food and treats in its boutique.
“I want to be able to provide them with nutrition and get them away from all the junk stuff that is out there,” said Garcia. For between meals, the boutique has a variety of treats, including cow tracheas, tendons, and even tripe.
“It smells terrible, but the dogs love it,” said Garcia.
Treating Chewie
She said that she started researching natural products for pets when her cocker spaniel Chewie got sick.
“He developed cancer, lymphoma, two years ago,” said Garcia. “They said the only cure for it was chemotherapy.” She soon met the owner of a pet store in Bergen County who introduced her to natural remedies and raw food for pets.
“So far, so good,” said Garcia. “Chewie is healthy.” The cancer was not cured, she said, but it has been in remission ever since.
Over time, she said, she plans to carry more natural remedies, vitamins, and oils to treat various pet ailments, so that, like Chewie, other dogs can reap the benefits.
On a lighter note, the boutique also offers novelty items, like doggie-themed note pads and key chains.
Home shelter
In addition to the friends she makes on the job, Garcia also seems to attract strays – or, they attract her.
She and her husband have been very active in volunteering with the Liberty Humane Society, an animal shelter in Jersey City, over the past 10 years, and they have even rescued animals on their own and used their home as a shelter for unwanted dogs and cats.
“We’ll take them, get them fixed, and then, we’ll take them home, feed them, and adopt them out or release them back into their own environment,” said Fernandez, who recently became a board member at the shelter.
Part of the reason behind Furry Tails, he said, was so he and his wife could help the animals and host an adoption day on a regular basis, possibly as often as once a month.
Amanda Staab can be reached at astaab@hudsonreporter.com.