Make sure to check out several local businesses including Mama Mel’s Fresh Pet Food, Such a Punk Pets and non-profit Skyway Dachshund Rescue who are all LocalShops1 members in honor of National Love Your Pet Day on Tuesday, February 20th.
Melissa Huffman founded Mama Mel’s Fresh Pet Food last year in St. Petersburg. Mama Mel’s Pet Food, offers a variety of mouthwatering and healthful food toppers and treats. Recognizing the real worries surrounding food allergies and sensitivities, which impact both pets and their families, Mama Mel’s Pet Food stands proudly as a solution. Mama Mel’s Pet Food currently offers Mama Mel’s Meatballs and cookies online and in select stores throughout the Tampa Bay Area including Munchies Natural Pet Foods of Wesley Chapel and PetWorks – St Petersburg’s Holistic Car & Dog Market. She also participates in local markets and festivals, including LocalShops1’s Shopapalooza Festival.
“I love meeting all of the dogs and their owners and seeing what a positive impact we make in their everyday life. Think of Mama Mel’s as your dog’s personal chef,” Melissa says. For more information, go to mamamelspetfood.com.
Such a Punk Pets was founded by Jill Kaplan in 2017. Kaplan combines her career as a theatrical wig maker with her desire to make pets even more awesome then they already are. For 20 years she has built wigs for Broadway shows, the Metropolitan Opera, Saturday Night Live, and more. One Halloween she created a mohawk for a friend’s dog and the idea took off. She makes each mohawk by hand with love and attitude.
“Is your cat uncool? Does your dog lack street cred? Get your pet a Such A Punk Pets mohawk and they’ll be the coolest animal on the block. Such A Punk Pets mohawks, could your pet be even more awesome,” Jill says. For more information go to suchapunkpets.com
Skyway Dachshund Rescue (SDR) is an all volunteer run, 501(c)(3) organization, serving the Tampa Bay area and West Central Florida. One of SDR’s primary focuses is working with families and individuals who are not able to keep their dachshunds, dachshund mixes or friends of dachshunds for whatever reason. “Skyway Dachshund Rescue always needs loving foster homes. Without them we can’t serve as many little ones in need. We pay all medical costs in order to get each little one available for adoption,” said Stephanie Boyle, Skyway Dachshund Rescue President. For more information visit kywaydachshundrescue.org
Mama Mel’s Fresh Pet Food, Such a Punk Pets and Skyway Dachshund Rescue are active members of LocalShops1 and will be at Shopapalooza Festival Thanksgiving weekend in St. Petersburg.
“Our mission is to support our members and their businesses and non profits year-round, so we are thrilled to showcase them as often as we can,” said Ester Venouziou, LocalShops1 founder.
LocalShops1, launched in 2008, is Tampa Bay’s source for all things local. Our mission is to provide advocacy, support and education to locally owned, independent businesses throughout the region. For more information about LocalShops1, please visit localshops1.com/ or Instagram @localshops1 or Facebook LocalShops1.