Costumed pets invited to pet store fundraiser

Pets in costume will be welcome from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday when Wags to Whiskers East hosts Howl-O-Ween to raise funds for Annie’s Little Angels Humane Education and Small Breed Dog and Cat Rescue in Plainfield. | Sun-Times file photo

Updated: November 24, 2012 6:08AM

PLAINFIELD — On Saturday, when the costumed pets trot into Wags to Whiskers East, Tally, the 10-year-old bearded collie belonging to store owner Janelle Pitula, won’t be one of them.

Pitula will be so busy running the shop’s first-ever Howl-O-Ween celebration and fundraiser, she’ll be unable to keep an eye on her own dog. However, Tally won’t totally miss the fun. She is planning to go trick or treating in her bumblebee costume, and Pitula is happy to take her.

“She’s the inspiration for my store,” Pitula said.

Tally was just 10 weeks old when Pitula adopted her from the Naperville Humane Society, which is one of the reasons why Wags to Whiskers often hosts fundraisers for rescues and shelters.

As a puppy, Tally struggled with multiple food allergies. Pitula switched from brand to brand hoping to find one Tally might tolerate. In 2005, after Pitula found the answer in a holistic product line, she opened her retail nutrition store and pet boutique.

Wags to Whiskers offers nutrition plans, foods (dry, canned and raw) and treats for both dogs and cats. The items Pitula carries contain minimally processed, low-allergen, high-nutrition foods for pets.

“People think they have to pay through the nose for these products, but they are very reasonably priced,” Pitula said. “It’s not an exclusive club. Everyone can afford to feed their pets healthy food.”

For its pet grooming services, Wags to Whiskers provides two options. Owners may patronize the store’s professional, experienced groomers or take advantage of Wags to Whiskers’ budget-friendly, self-service pet wash. Phone ahead first for availability. The last wash must begin an hour before the store’s closing.

The self-service pet wash features three elevated bath tubs (with ramps) for every size dog and cat, nooses to keep pets in the tub, a variety of natural shampoos (owner chooses products), conditioners, instant warm water, rubber brushes, sanitary conditions, fresh towels, wash cloths and hand-held, pet-safe dryers.

For many pet owners, the trip and the reasonable cost makes this a better option than bathing the pets at home.

“You don’t get hair all over your toilet seat,” Pitula said. “You leave the mess behind and we clean it up.”

Highlights at this Saturday’s Howl-O-Ween celebration and fundraiser include free $50 value goodie bags full of incentives and gifts to the first 50 guests; games; promotional sales; vendors who will distribute coupons and product samples; and reduced costs on nail trims. Pitula encourages both pets and their owners to attend in costume.

“A lot of people like putting their dogs in sweaters and other clothes, but some people only like to dress their pets in amusing outfits at Halloween,” Pitula said. “It’s entertaining and makes us realize just how cute our pet is. We want to share that with others.”

Bring a pet in costume and receive one spooky raffle ticket, two free tickets if the owner is in costume, too. Talk to each vendor and receive yet another raffle ticket. Every $25 spent that day earns still another raffle ticket. Spooky raffles prizes are free goodie kits loaded with $200 in free food, treats and merchandise.

Ten percent of the day’s profits will be donated to Annie’s Little Angels Humane Education and Small Breed Dog and Cat Rescue in Plainfield. Its founder, Brandy Gergescz, is a Wags to Whiskers customer.

“Brandy is out there doing amazing things,” Pitula said, “and we enjoy helping out local rescues.”

Annie’s Little Angels caters to small breeds and cats — especially the abused, abandoned and neglected — the type of pets that generally adapt poorly to shelter life.

For more information, contact 815-641-1368 or www.annieslittleangels.org.

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