Jul

7

2009

Blog features

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We have some exciting new features that will be available in the coming month. I planned on having most of these ready to roll by now, but I under-estimated summer traffic in the store. One of these new features will be an “Ask the vet” column, which we will need some questions for our vet before we can launch that. So please e-mail us with your questions.

One other feature will be “point counter point” by two individuals who have been hounding (No pun intended) me to have a monthly post on the website debating current pet affairs.

If any of you that have pet related businesses or know someone, and don’t have website… Let me know and I can set up a basic profile for you in our Local Links section of our website. Provide me with a photo or two and basic information, contact information, and just like that you have small place on the web in the local community. Also if you do have a website, and we don’t have you listed, please let me know.

Even more importantly what would you like to see? Is there something that you think should be available on our website? Think big… I was a web developer before all of this, and I am ready for a developing challenge!

Apr

21

2009

Nutro under investigation after pet related deaths and illness

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Story: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/04/nutro_foia.html
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=1925

As most of our retail customers are aware, we do not carry Nutro products. Never have, and never will. Over the last five years we have had hundreds at the very least, complain that their dog has had consistent over production of yellow bile, reoccurring bouts of pancreatitis, and frequent unexplained bouts of diarrhea. I can count on one hand the amount of customers who complained about these symptoms who wasn’t feeding Nutro. I usually tell them what they are feeding before they can tell me. You can’t have a steady diet of sugar, salt, vague multi-sourced fats and expect nothing to eventually go wrong. Why do they put such thing in their food, you may ask? To make it tasty… most consumers determine their pet food by what their pet will most likely eat. Give your child a choice between fast food and a salad, and then make a steady diet of that. Obesity, heart conditions, diabetes soon follow with a whole host of health related problems that can be life threatening.

We highly encourage you to share your Nutro experiences here with us to build a knowledge base for everyone to see.

Jan

11

2009

The Best of Maine

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We were so honored to have been chosen this year by Down East Magazine as “#1 Pet Supply Store in Maine”! Here is the write-up in their January 2009 “Best of the Best” issue:

“Trying to find Fido the right food? Head to Damariscotta. That’s where you’ll find the Animal House, the aptly named authority on all things dietary for your furry friends. Think of it as a health-food store for pets: you’ll find nothing but 100 percent real ingredients in all the brands sold here. The store also offers other pet necessities, plus one for the pet parents: a self-service washing facility. Owner Aubrey Martin offers sought-after advice on animal nutrition as well as classes (like pet first aid and CPR), fund-raisers, health clinics, and parties for the pet community, two- and four-legged alike. 372 Main St., Damariscotta, 207-563-5595, www.theanimalhouse.net“

We want to thank the folks over at Down East for this wonderful mention. They are a top-rate publication, and its really special to have been recognized in this way!!

Nov

22

2008

Santa Paws

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Join professional photographer Ronn Orenstein and Santa Paws again this year at The Animal House for pet photos with Santa. The renowned area photographer will be at The Animal House on Sat., December 6th from 12pm-4pm.

Ronn will be waiving his sitting fee, so that families will only be paying for the photo packages they choose. Well-behaved pets on leash or in carriers are welcome. Refreshments for people and pets will be available. No appointment is necessary. For more information on Ronn Orenstein, please visit his website: www.ronnorenstein.com.

The Animal House & SUDS! Grooming is located at 372 Main Street in Damariscotta, and specializes in healthy food and supplies for dogs and cats. For more information about this event, or about The Animal House, please visit: www.theanimalhouse.net or call 563.5595.

Oct

27

2008

Ever expanding

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Three new freezers added last week for a total of seven freezers to increase capacity of available inventory, and the ability for large special orders

We started our business a little over three years ago with the expectations of just making enough to survive by doing something we had passion in. Today we have approximately 25 times the inventory that we had the first year, and doing about 25 times the daily totals as our first year. Recently we just introduced 6 new food lines, 3 more freezers (for a total of seven). We have two new employees to add to our staff as well. Karen and Mallory joined us in early October joining Teresa, Tamelia, Aubrey and Myself.

With the addition of the online store we are expecting the need for more space and employees sometime next year. Also, two really big surprises in 2009 that is certain to shock many in the local area. We have also already started planning for Woofstock 2009, which is going shaping up to be much bigger than the previous years combined. Keep an eye on us… many many good things to come, and we are glad you are along for the ride.

Dan & Aubrey Martin