Lakewood Ranch is full of places focused on catering to canines

Lakewood Ranch is a welcoming community of friendly neighbors. Our canine companions are some of the friendliest neighbors.

The humans in their pack can pamper and care for them with a variety of locally sourced services and experiences. The Ranch’s multiple options include top-notch daycare and safe boarding, specialized dog-walking and babysitting services, holistic pet stores, gourmet bakeries and stylish boutiques.

Here are a few canine-friendly spots you’ll find close to home. They’re all locally owned and operated.

Pet Supplies and Services

DOGPerfect’s services include professional grooming and self-serve dog washing. Its pros have a clear definition of pooch perfection: Helping you and your dog sustain a life-long relationship by providing healthy, nutritional products and nurturing services. 11605 S.R. 70, Lakewood Ranch; 941-803-4496; DogPerfect.com.

Holistic for Pets offers a curated selection of healthy and holistic food, treats, supplements and supplies for your furry friends. Their encyclopedic expertise is free. 5770 Ranch Lake Blvd., No. 132, Bradenton; 941-753-7297; HolisticForPets.com.

Spotlight: Holistic for Pets

Holistic for Pets keeps your furry friends thriving and satisfied with a curated selection of foods, treats, supplements and supplies. Its friendly, professional team will provide personalized nutrition advice based on your pet's breed, age, and health needs, and can assist with special orders and offers. Its mission? To empower you to make informed choices that enhance your pet's well-being and longevity. Store owners Val Clows and Jennifer Guevin, along with nutrition director and store manager Gregory Malek-Jones, recently shared their expertise with us.

Holistic for Pets’ co-owner Jennifer Guevin says the store’s mission is to empower pet parents to make informed choices that enhance their pet's well-being and longevity.

Photo by Lori Sax

Raw and Real: According to Jennifer Guevin, a raw or gently cooked diet is the most natural and biologically suited for your dog or cat. “Whatever stage of life your pet is in, a raw diet is always a fantastic choice,” she says. Holistic for Pets’ food selections are AAFCO-approved and provide complete and balanced diets for all life stages.

Herbs and More: The shop’s spectrum of herbs and botanicals spans the traditions of East and West. They also provide CBD, probiotics, gut health remedies, and fish oil. “We love to customize supplements to meet the specific needs of each animal, ensuring they receive the best support for their unique health conditions,” says Guevin.

Snack Smarts: “When choosing treats, the more minimal the ingredient list is, and the least amount of filler is always ideal,” offers Gregory Malek-Jones. “Freeze-dried treats are a phenomenal option.”

Chew on This: Dogs and cats thrive on raw meaty bones without fillers, which promote dental health, nutrition and mental stimulation, says Guevin. “Just remember — never cook bones, as they can splinter and pose a choking hazard.” She advises against rawhide, which is indigestible and often contains chemicals, and recommends digestible chews like dried sweet potatoes, yak cheese, collagen sticks, and bully sticks, which also entertain pets for hours.

Three Dog Bakery & Grooming delights pups with freshly baked treats and specialty items. Its tasty options include celebration cakes, pastries and cookies. While pet parents can’t eat them, with clever names like “Boxer Brownies” and “Let ‘Em Eat Carrot Cake,” they’ll still make you smile. You’ll also find a vast selection of unique toys, rawhides, chews, grooming essentials and the latest in four-legged fashion accessories. Cooper Creek Blvd., University Park; 941-355-0399; ThreeDogStores.com.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming serves up high-quality food, fresh-baked treats, and health and wellness supplies. Thanks to its grooming services, your canine companion can also keep up appearances. 8314 Market St., Lakewood Ranch; 941-907-9111; WoofGangBakeryLWR.com.

Dog Daycare and Boarding

Bayside Pet Resort’s pet care experts provide a four-star experience for each four-legged guest. They get to know each pooch and provide individualized care based on their unique needs and personalities. With perks like customized itineraries, maid service and a daily multipoint health inspection by supervising staff, your pet will enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. 15117 Garnet Trail, Lakewood Ranch; 941-755-3047; BaySidePetResort.com.

Woofdorf Astoria is a luxe pet resort and spa, offering doggie daycare, spacious boarding suites, indoor and outdoor play areas, group play sessions and grooming. The furry friends focus on fun; the highly trained staff keeps an eye on safety. 10615 Technology Terrace, No. 104, Bradenton; 941-203-4036; WoofdorfLakewoodRanch.com.

Pet Paradise provides heavenly boarding, daycare, veterinary care, training and grooming services for your furry family members. Its state-of-the-art facility includes synthetic grass play areas, auto-fill water bowls, shaded yards and misting stations. 10411 Portal Crossing, Bradenton; 941-209-1021; PetParadise.com.

Glad Wags gets tails wagging with dependable, in-home pet care. Its services include dog-walking, cat sitting, pet-related errands and home watching. Thanks to a user-friendly mobile app, clients get photos and detailed reports of every visit. GladWags.com.

Spotlight: Glad Wags

Chris Cooper, CPPS, and a PSI-certified professional pet sitter, is the passionate founder and owner of Glad Wags. Her firm caters to pets of all breeds, sizes and ages, including those with special needs. Its services include dog-walking, pet-sitting and home-watching. After each pet visit, Glad Wags provides pet owners with detailed reports and photos via a user-friendly mobile app. Cooper, who transitioned from a rewarding career in healthcare, found her true calling in this joyful endeavor, driven by her love for animals and their therapeutic energy.

Amanda Gunter’s many roles include office/field manager, scheduler and marketing coordinator.

Photo by Lori Sax

Pawsitive Energy: From Patients to Pups: Cooper says her previous career in healthcare was fulfilling, but still left her wanting more. “I longed to be closer to my dogs and spend time with animals,” she says. “I love their calm, positive energy and find it therapeutic to be around them. I named my company ‘Glad Wags’ because I often say those two words to my pups when they greet me at the door with wiggly butts and wagging tails. I’d say, ‘Aww…look at those glad wags’ because they’re so glad to see me.”

Safe and Compassionate Care: “Ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals in our care starts with hiring genuine animal lovers who fit our company culture,” says Cooper, adding that they “must absorb a lot of information and work independently. If any of these components are missing, it just doesn’t work.” Glad Wags thoroughly trains each employee, introducing them to its policies and pet portal and describing situations they may encounter. “Once trained, they must exhibit confidence and calm energy. Pet visits are more than just walking a dog; dogs are intuitive, and their safety relies on a solid relationship with the sitter. As a former pet client, I keep in mind, ‘What would I want/expect from a pet sitter?’”

Tips for Finding the Perfect Sitter: According to Cooper, choosing a professional pet-sitting company that employs staff rather than independent contractors is a must. She advises owners to look for a company with a solid reputation that can provide current liability and bonding insurance, a worker’s compensation policy and background checks for each sitter. “Ask about their hiring practices and training methods,” she says. “When I interview candidates, I consider, ‘Would I want this person to watch my pet?’ If there’s any hesitation, it’s a no. All our employees receive the same training, ensuring they represent Glad Wags professionally and give clients peace of mind while they’re away.”

Fun Fact: “The paw print in the logo is an actual impression of my dog’s paw, captured from a photo taken in the sand at the beach.”

Adoption Services

Donte’s Den keeps its pups healthy and happy with essential vaccinations, spaying or neutering, in-depth health checks and plenty of love and attention. Its Joyful Dogs Adoption Program ensures that pooches and prospective parents are made for each other. Donte’s also offers obedience training and lifetime care for dogs who can no longer live with their owners. 6801 283rd St. E., Myakka City; 941-219-3730; DontesDen.org.

Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch provides a safe haven for companion animals in need. Its dedicated team offers medical care, vaccinations and microchipping. 6920 Gopher Hill Road, Myakka City; 941-361-1071, HSLWR.org.

Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue is a loving sanctuary for rescued dogs and cats. While awaiting their new forever homes, they feel right at home at this eight-acre no-kill shelter and adoption facility. 4951 Lorraine Road, Bradenton; NatesHonorAnimalRescue.org.

Spotlight: Nate's Honor Rescue

Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue is a loving haven for rescued dogs and cats awaiting their forever homes. Since 2008, it’s been committed to rescuing neglected, abandoned and mistreated animals in a supportive environment that nurtures bonds between pets and their future families. Located on an eight-acre no-kill shelter and adoption facility, the Nate’s team has saved thousands of at-risk animals each year. Its mission is to change perceptions of animal sheltering by providing ongoing education, training and resources to ensure pets thrive in their new homes. Julie Fanning, Nate’s board president, shared some tidbits about the organization’s impactful work, the challenges it faces, and how the community can get involved to support these deserving animals.

Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue provides a loving sanctuary for rescued dogs and cats awaiting their forever homes.

Photo by Lori Sax

Canine Cottage Comforts: “Our most unique feature is our dog cottages, which are hurricane-proof, built green, fully insulated, with solar-powered attic fans inside, and an indoor/outdoor design so the dogs can go in and out,” says Julie Fanning. “This cottage set-up allows the dogs to be housed in smaller groups, with four to six kennels in each, for a quieter, less stressful environment while at the shelter. This allows dogs to better show off their personalities to potential adopters.”

Space to Thrive: Nate’s recently completed a 4,300-square-foot behavior and training center that will serve as a resource for current pet owners in the community. It also built a 5,000-square-foot intake center that will allow the sanctuary to house and treat sick and special needs animals.

Navigating Challenges: “Adoptions have significantly decreased this year as we feel the impact of the economy,” says Fanning. “As the cost of pet care has gone up, families have opted not to add a new furry family member to their costs. We’ve also seen an increased number of surrender applications as people lose their jobs, can’t afford animal care, and more.” As of today, Nate’s has had 954 adoptions in 2024. The shelter has been at full capacity throughout the year, with an average of 150 animals in its care.

Nate's recently completed a 4,300-square-foot behavior and training center for local pet owners, along with a 5,000-square-foot intake center for housing and treating sick and special needs animals.

Photo by Lori Sax

Top on Wish List: “Adoptions and foster parents!” says Fanning. “With animal agencies everywhere at full capacity, and recent storms devastating nearby communities, displaced animals and shelters without power are asking for help from us and other local shelters to take in their animals. In order to help, we need to continue clearing our kennels to make space. We are always looking for fosters to join our list so we can ask for help when we need it. Foster homes help us through storms, house dogs while our shelter is full, house dogs who need special attention or care and more.”

Journey Home Campaign: Nate’s is in the final stretch of its $16 million “Journey Home” capital campaign, an expansion that will double its dog shelter capacity and create a “kitty city.” Its 23,000-square-foot welcome and adoption center is nearly complete, featuring a cat wing, more dog kennels, a community event center and a children’s education room. A key part of the final phase is completing a veterinary clinic, which will provide affordable community care and onsite services for shelter animals. Journey Home is set to wrap up in early 2025.

Pet Hospitals and Clinics

Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch is a full-service veterinary facility staffed by dedicated professionals. They’ve been committed to the health and well-being of pets since 2013. 9115 58th Dr. E., Lakewood Ranch; 941-751-0101; LakewoodRanchAH.com.

University Animal Clinic provides first-class veterinary and urgent care for dogs, cats and pets of all descriptions, including exotic animals like reptiles and amphibians. 8239 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton; 941-253-5218; TheUniversityAnimalClinic.com.

Veterinary Medical Center at LWR delivers a full range of veterinary care at its fully equipped facility. 15205 Garnet Trail, Bradenton; 941-739-1800; LakewoodRanchVet.com.

From gourmet treats to holistic care, explore the best local resources for your canine companions.

Pet Supplies and Services

Dog Daycare and Boarding

Adoption Services

Pet Hospitals and Clinics

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