TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Alicia Armstrong and Ian Anthony admit: They're huge dog people.
"My dogs are my family," said Armstrong.
That's why they co-founded Perky Petz three years ago. It started after leaving their furry loved ones at a kennel left them a little unsettled.
"One of the things I noticed in town is that when I would travel, I would have to board them either at a boarding facility or my vet's office," said Armstrong. "I found a couple that I liked, but they were very, very pricey and what I was paying for was for my dogs to be crated for six to eight to 10 hours at a time."
Instead of trying to find somewhere better, Armstrong and Anthony decided to create somewhere better.
Rather than a building with lots of kennels, they have three different houses in Tallahassee where they watch just a few dogs at a time.
"Often times, when dogs are boarding in a new facility, they may become anxious, moods may change," said Anthony. "With the smaller group setting, it allows us to better cater to their needs."
"They truly have the run of the house, so it's like a treat for them," said Armstrong.
As for the future of Perky Petz, the owners plan on adding grooming services, working with local dog trainers, baking more home-made treats, and even starting their own charity.
"We're working on starting a non-profit foundation to assist animals who have been hurt in cases involving domestic violence. To have somewhere for people in the community to safely shelter their pets," said Armstrong.
You can find out more about Perky Petz here.
