Many local pet owners are already familiar with RuffMutts, a Niverville pet-grooming service that has been in operation for five years. September 15 marked a significant date for the company as they expanded into a formal retail location at 10 Cedar Drive (Unit B) in Niverville.
The grand opening took place from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the new location. Special guests included local animal advocate Barry Piasta, who has been raising funds for the Niverville Dog Park. RuffMutts co-owner Amanda MacLean was also on hand to clip nails for charity at the low cost of $5.
Two animal rescues were also onsite: the Great Pyranese Rescue and Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue. Dog trainer Sean Diamond of Diamond in the Ruff brought some adoptable rescue dogs searching for their fur-ever homes.
RuffMutts is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Guy Britten and MacLean. MacLean is the dedicated groomer, an interest she acquired at a young age while raising chow chows. Britten, a lifelong dog-lover, takes care of pet food, pet products, and the administrative aspects of the business. The two recently hired a couple of employees to run the retail aspect. As a result, the couple is enthusiastic about the support and reception.
“We live here. It started here,” says Britten. “We wanted to be a family business and to hire people that are local. We want to support the town.”
Even as the company grows, MacLean remains committed to being the only designated groomer and maintaining her signature one-on-one customer service. (She notes that the grooming side of the business will continue from their home.) For dogs, this means getting their own designated appointment without having to wait anxiously in a kennel for their turn. Whether you have a short-haired dog that just needs a “bath and tidy” or a breed where grooming is essential to their physical health, they’re in experienced hands with MacLean.
Although RuffMutts has been selling pet food for the last four years, the retail expansion allows the company to increase the volume of food sales. When it comes to food and product selection, MacLean and Britten reserve the right to be picky.
“We wouldn’t sell anything that we wouldn’t give to our own pets,” says Britten. “We also try to support local or Canadian products as much as we can. This includes Perfectly Raw out of Starbuck and Smack Pet Food from Winnipeg.”
Other popular food brands that customers can count on include Acana, Orijen, Go!, and Now. The business is receptive to requests and input from customers as they make future inventory selections.
“We get to know our customers well so we can work with them on allergy or other food concerns,” explains Britten. “We’re not afraid to take back a bag of food if it’s not working for their pet.”
The company’s pet products include pet beds, collars and leashes, pet deodorizers, toys, kennels, vehicle barriers and floor mats, and an all-important treat selection.
The bottom line is that RuffMutts saw a need in the community for more advanced pet care and pet products.
“We want to provide people with everything they can get in the city, with the small-town values of service and affordable prices,” Britten says. “We are committed to ensuring our prices are as good or better than what you can find in the city.”