Rommel and Shelli Villanueva are on a mission to improve your pet's diet.
The Barrie couple owns and operates Tail Blazers Health Food Store for Pets in Barrie's south end.
The store has products and food for dogs and cats that can benefit from healthier eating or may already be suffering the ill effects from a 'fast food' diet.
Shelli has been studying health nutrition for ten years and will soon complete her clinical pet nutrition.
"She saw this opportunity for helping pets where cats and dogs are slowly starting to have more issues with their digestive systems - allergies, yeast issues, urinary tract -- it all starts from the gut," said Rommel.
Tail Blazers Barrie opened last April and sells some jackets and other clothing, leashes, collars and some toys.
"We're trying to be a one-stop shop," he said.
But it's the food that is their bread and butter.
"We sell the best of the best kibble which means grain free, antibiotic free, hormone free, free range free run, just like our meats."
The raw meats are the top seller for dogs.
"The cat section is very difficult to do," said Rommel. "They are very finicky. Cats have a mind of their own. They're just as bad as a teenager and a toddler mixed together. If they don't want to eat it, no matter how good that product is, they won't touch it."
But cats have the same health issues as dogs and people because according to Rommel, there's a lot of salt in feline food from the grocery store.
The best way for pets to eat is raw; next best thing is dehydrated; next best thing is their kibble, says Rommel.
Everything in the store comes from Ontario and is a complete dinner.
They have a loyal customer base that is always growing.
"We have new people who have been to the vets for a quite a long time. They spent lots of money," he said.
Tail Blazers has a self serve dog wash for $10 dollars cash a bath ans supplies shampoo and the blow drier.
Pet owners only need to bring towels.
The couple has two dogs themselves and believe in 'feeding your pets right.'
"This business is, we take care of our pets before we take care of our pockets," said Rommel.
Tail Blazers is located at 505 Bryne Drive, Unit D.
