Amanda Weiss – Muddy Mutt & Mercantile

Amanda Weiss opened a business in Warner Robins after she heard of a need for it.

“We are family owned and operated. We started in October 2017,” Weiss said. “I used to work for a dog grooming salon and had people calling up who wanted a self-service dog wash. A light went off because people were asking for a service that wasn’t being provided.”

With no self-service dog wash in Warner Robins or Macon at the time, Weiss decided to start one.

“It’s basically like a car wash for dogs,” she said. “Owners come in and pay a small fee, and we provide everything needed to wash dogs. We have specialty shampoos, cleaning packages and do simple services such as sanitary clips.”

Dog owners do not need an appointment. They can come in during business hours, pay the fees listed for the size of their dog and get to washing. With specialty shampoos that include hypoallergenic shampoos, deep cleaning, flea and tick and anti-itch, no customer can go wrong.

Dog owners can also bring their own supplies from home if they prefer.

Fees are based on the sizes of the dog, ranging in price from smaller dogs at $12 to very large dogs at $20.

The fee already includes the price of some shampoos, the use of a tub and towels. Others shampoos may have an extra charge. The tubs can fit any size dog and are raised off the floor so that people don’t have to bend down in order to wash the dog. Employees can also help get dogs into the tub if necessary.

After owners are finished washing their pet, employees will clean and sanitize the tub to make it ready for the next guest. Meanwhile, customers can take their dog to the grooming room. The grooming area is equipped with hair dryers that are designed for animals. The dryers help blow water off an animal’s fur and are used for air-drying rather than heat drying, which is safer for animals. The grooming area is also stocked with brushes customers can use for their dogs.

If dog owners want to use this service but aren’t professional groomers trained in every device used for animals — don’t worry. Employees are happy to give a demonstration on how to use the different tools.

If a customer prefers, they can pay an extra charge and the business’ employees will take care of all the washing. Owners can wait in the waiting area. Because Muddy Mutt & Mercantile is not a full-service salon, kennels are not available in which to hold animals after they have been cleaned.

Cat lovers can rejoice — feline friends are also welcome at the business and will get the same privileges as dogs. The cost of the service for all cats is $16.

Owners who would like to get their animals’ toenails clipped can also do so at the salon for an $8 charge.

Weiss was a professional groomer for four years, and she maintains her degree and certification for the field. She has been involved in the animal care industry since 2005.

Muddy Mutt & Mercantile isn’t just about cleaning, however. The mercantile portion of the business offers homemade dog toys.

The toy idea came from seeing homemade toys being sold by a woman at a festival several years ago in New York. After learning how to tie the rope toys in different ways, Weiss started making them herself.

“They’re designed for durability, and they’re washable,” she said. “We make them ourselves at home and bring them here to market them.”

Many commercially available dog toys are easily chewed up or destroyed, but Muddy Mutts’ toys are specially designed to hold up to any dog’s roughhousing.

Each toy is made of fleece, and they make great tug toys, Weiss said.

Dog lovers can also order specialized toys for their favorite pets.

“We can make custom toys,” Weiss said. “We can do boy colors or girl colors. We can make extra long tassels if they want. Everything is customized.”

Weiss has been making toys for two to three years, she said.

Cats needn’t feel left out in this area either. Weiss said she makes all kinds of cat toys as well as bedding for dogs and cats. Homemade treats, which are all natural with no preservatives or extra salt, can also be purchased at the store.

While the business is walk-in and no appointment is necessary, Weiss does advise owners of cats or aggressive dogs to call ahead so that a time can be set up to keep all animals safe.

Muddy Mutt & Mercantile is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays during the winter (during summer, the business is open one hour later), and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. The business is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The last wash for large dogs is one hour before closing while for small dogs, it’s 30 minutes before closing.

Located at 1008 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins, the business can be reached at 478-322-9921 or online at www.muddy

muttandmercantile1.com.

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