Inn the News
News Articles written about our facility and staff
ITD is a proud sponsor of this year's Spooky Pooch Parade
HALLOWEEN IN LAKEWOOD IS GOING TO THE DOGS!
Join the fun on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. as Downtown Lakewood presents the Spooky Pooch Parade, an event that has become the newest Halloween tradition for Northeast Ohio dog lovers and their families.
Led by Cleveland Browns mascot, "CHOMPS", dogs of all shapes and sizes dressed in their finest Halloween fashions will strut their stuff in the heart of Lakewood's business district on Detroit Avenue. Judges will award prizes in a number of categories including Spookiest Pooch, most creative dog & child, most original adult & dog and best float. The parade will step off from St. Charles Green at 2 p.m. and continue west along Detroit Avenue to Lakewood Public Library and return; about .8 miles.
"This event brought joy to so many last year, as all kinds of dog-friendly people came together in downtown Lakewood to celebrate Halloween," said LakewoodAlive executive director, Mary Anne Crampton. Spooky Pooch Committee member, Eileen Wilbourn added, "This event highlights Lakewood as a walkable city, and is a fun-filled family activity whether you are in the parade or a spectator."
All participants will be entered in a drawing to win free dog food for a year from Pet's General Store as well as a hand-crafted dog house and other great prizes from pet-loving businesses. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased at the event or before the event at Pet's General Store, 16821 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio.
New this year: "Spooky Pooch Coloring Contest". Coloring picture available for download on-line at www.downtownlakewood.org or at the Lakewood Public Library or Pet's General Store. Children ages 4-12 are eligible and prizes will be awarded in three age categories (Ages 4-6; Ages 7-9 and Ages 10-12). Coloring pictures to be turned in at LakewoodAlive office, Lakewood Public Library or Pet's General Store by noon on October 16, 2009 to be considered. Costume prizes will be awarded, raffle prizes drawn and Coloring Contest Winners announced after the parade.
Parade pre-registration costs $10 per dog; $15 registration the day of the parade. Humans are free. Event website for information, forms and on-line pre-registration at www.downtownlakewood.org. Dog registration forms may also be found at the Lakewood Public Library (Main & Madison Branches) and Pet's General Store.
Registration/check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. at St. Charles Green (behind the parking garage at 1360 Belle Ave.). Cleveland Brown's Mascot "CHOMPS" will be on hand for pictures and to lead the parade. Vendors, rescue groups and other nonprofits with dog-related goods and services will be set-up at St. Charles Green from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the parade will benefit Downtown Lakewood revitalization efforts and the Lakewood Animal Shelter.
Pet Profits
Excerpt taken from Crain's Cleveland written by Scott Allyn
Link to article : Here
...Next door to North Coast Dogs at 10237 Berea Road, Inn the Doghouse offers day care, boarding and grooming for dogs and cats in an old warehouse space.
Owner Whitney Callahan started the company in October 2003. She said revenue doubled in each of the company's first two years, was up 40% to 50% in its third year and is still growing.
The facility, with seven employees, now offers 22 kennel runs, where boarded dogs spend the night. During the day, the dogs play in a day care area while Inn the Doghouse employees supervise and work on potty training as needed.
"I think people no longer view their animals as pets, they see them as children," Ms. Callahan said. "The majority of my customers are empty nesters or young professionals without children. Their dogs no longer sleep in dog houses, they sleep in their bedrooms."
Lakewood Woman Turns Passion Into Profit
Taken from The Lakewood Observer written by Mike Deneen
Link to article : Here
There is an old saying that goes "find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life." One Lakewood woman has taken that advice to heart, turning her passion for animals into a successful business. Although having lived in Lakewood for only a few years, Whitney Callahan has had a quite an impact on the community. In addition to helping lead the effort to build the local dog park, she has taken a leadership role in helping the Lakewood Animal Shelter.
Like many people, Whitney developed her love for animals at an early age. Her mother instilled a respect for animals, and together they took in stray animals. They also raised and showed champion Chocolate Labradors. She was taught by breeders and veterinarians how to assist the mother dogs giving birth, and whelped over 40 puppies in five years. She would sleep in the same room with the mother and her puppies for the first week, making sure that no puppy was ever accidentally rolled onto and that the puppies stayed healthy.
Originally from the east coast, Whitney moved here after a long distance relationship with her husband, Mark. The couple lived in the Warehouse District for a few years, and then began looking for a house. They fell in love with Lakewood because of its homes with big front porches and tree-lined streets. "It seemed like a friendly, diverse neighborhood where we could start our new family." says Whitney.
She quickly made an impact on our city, working as one of three co-chairs, along with Shelley Gould-Burgess and Brittany O'Connor, to build the Lakewood Dog Park. The dog park effort began in early 2002, and culminated with the park's opening in June 2003. Throughout the process, Whitney spent hundreds of hours conducting research, raising money and meeting with city officials.
For the past two years, Whitney has served as Vice President of CCLAS, Citizen's Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter. She has focused on generating ideas for fundraisers, such as the annual "The Hair of the Dog Happy Hour and Silent Auction" which will be held next spring.
Life took an unexpected turn in the summer of 2003 when she was laid-off from her job as a consultant with A.T. Kearney. Due to the economic downturn, the company decided to close its Cleveland office. She was asked to relocate, but her husband was in the middle of his graduate school education at Case Western Reserve University and they did not want to leave the area. "My husband, Mark, asked me what my dream job would be and all I could think of was a place where I could take my dog to work with me everyday."
It was then that the idea for "Inn the Doghouse", her very own doggie day-care and boarding business, was born. She got together with friend and fellow dog park volunteer, Pete Spanos, to create a dog daycare business where dogs could be boarded on site while allowing them playtime during the day. In addition, they envisioned on-site grooming and an animal-friendly cat boarding room. After six months of planning the business opened on October 22, 2003. Despite long hours and the risks that come with any new business, Whitney is thrilled. "It was the best decision I've ever made," she says, "I love my job, I love seeing my dog friends, and Dublin, her Bullmastiff, couldn't be happier".
After two years, business is good. In fact, ITD expanded in September, when it acquired additional space to sublease to North Coast Dogs, the highly respected dog training school. The businesses are exploring the opportunities to offer programs such as "train while boarding" at the facility. Inn The Doghouse is open from 7am-7pm Monday-Friday for daycare and weekend hours are available for pick-up and drop-off of boarding dogs. For more information please visit www.innthedoghouse.com or call (216) 651-0873. North Coast Dogs can be reached at (216) 221-DOGS (3647) or on the web at www.northcoastdogs.com.