The newest 'salon'
in town

It's time to pamper yourself. You know you'd look so much better after getting a shampoo, cut and blow dry as well as having those long sharp nails trimmed. And think how good you'll feel after a little carding and a refreshing flea dip! Oh, no not YOU! Your pet, of course. Professional, caring service is what your special Fido or Fifi will be treated to at his or her next visit to Gowanda's only pet grooming "salon," which is owned and operated by Jackie Antonelli.

Originally from this area, Antonelli and her husband moved to New Jersey where she, got her start in the grooming business. "The lady who I worked for hired me as a bather. [Over time] I asked her to show me how to do everything," stated Antonelli. After three years of working for someone else, gaining knowledge and experience, Antonelli (as well as her husband, several cats and two dogs) moved to Gowanda to set up shop for herself.

And the shop that this local proprietor runs - the only one in the immediate area (with the next closest groomers being located in Springville and Perrysburg) - is somewhat small, but has a lot to offer.

Looking for a little something for your four-legged friend? Antonelli sells harnesses, collars, leashes, toys and treats in her gift shop.

Maybe your pet needs a friend for a day. Antonelli charges $4 to pet-sit between 9 a.m.and 5 p.m., with optional pick-up and drop-off at 25 cents per mile, with a 10-mile maximum one way.

Maybe Fido needs a full grooming, which consists of a bath, fur cut (if needed), nails clipped, ears cleaned, brushing and drying.

Prices begin at $6 (for very small dogs) and range up to $55, depending on the condition of the animal and whether it requires extra attention.

A la carte items include teeth brushing at $5.50 for the first visit and $1.50 for each additional visit; flea dip at the time of grooming is $4 extra; for shedding breeds only, extra carding is $2.50; a flea dip only is $10; and nail cutting is $4.

As an additional service, Antonelli offers pet boarding at $8 per day for dogs and $6.50 per day for cats. The customer needs to supply the food and medication for his or her pet, and the animal must be flea-free prior to boarding (or a $10 fee will be assessed for the flea dip that will be given). If grooming is required and your pet has stayed for three days or more, a 15 percent grooming discount will be given.

As Antonelli loves working with animals, she believes it to be just as important to work with the owners, helping to educate them to improve the life of their pet. "I want to teach people how to groom their pets at home," she stated.

Nutrition is equally as important as grooming. "A lot of the foods that people have their pets on are not good for them because they are made with by-products," she added. "A more expensive, higher quality brand of food (dry only) will improve and prolong the life of your pet, Antonelli explained. She is soon to offer a pet food line of products.

Whether it's pampering, boarding or TLC that your special four-legged friend requires, Antonelli is available for customers Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only at 532-5954. Her shop; "Barks-n-Meows," is located in her Gowanda home at 14703 Aldrich Street, and is SO the cat's meow!