By Katie Vaughn | Pictured: Nutzy Mutz & Crazy Catz
Step into a few female-run pet stores! At bad dog frida, a friendly neighborhood pet store that celebrated 19 years on Atwood Avenue in July, nutrition is a priority, says owner Noel Johnson, who took over for founders Sue Hunter and Carmen Alcalde in 2019. Five freezers are filled with fresh food and all staff are trained in pet nutrition; they’ve even developed recipes for filling Kong-style toys with tasty combinations. Another emphasis is enrichment, and the store brims with snuffle mats, licking mats, treat balls and puzzles. The shop also welcomes in adoptable dogs from local rescue organizations on Saturdays and collaborates on events like parkour walks with Busy Dog, a training provider.
At Nutzy Mutz & Crazy Catz, owner Liz Perry encourages animals and their humans to have fun. Locations on Midvale Boulevard and Park Street keep a focus on natural and local toys, treats and food — especially those with minimal or environmentally responsible packaging — and a huge variety of collars and leashes. Perry also works with Albert’s Dog Lounge, Desert Willow Ranch & Rescue, 9 Lives Rescue Inc. and the Madison Cat Project on providing donations and bringing attention to adoptable pets.
From its first digs on the west side of Madison in 2007, Tabby & Jack’s has grown to nine locations across Dane County. Owner Michelle Lonergan focuses on healthy food and holistic services, with a large selection of fresh food, treats and supplements, and all nine stores — plus a mobile option — offering holistic grooming.
Many of the items stocked hail from Wisconsin (like Fromm Family, Vital Essentials and Raw Dynamic pet food), and the company regularly brings in dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and more from Brown Paws Rescue, Shelter from the Storm, Latoya’s Legacy and Misfit Felines to help them find homes.
Open since 2002, MadCat now has three locations across Madison to cater specifically to cats and their caretakers. The shops often host local rescue organizations such as Underdog Pet Rescue and Veterinary Services, Misfit Felines, 9 Lives Rescue Inc. and D-Triple F Ranch and Rescue to help cats find homes. Owner Amy Cross carries a range of products to help manage cats’ stress levels, and she always suggests furniture for cats to climb, especially locally built natural wood cat trees from Cat Tree Kingdom and Paw Friendly Cat Furniture.
