Who’s ready for a four-legged and two-winged pawty? Good Dog Pet Outfitters will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 7 and owner Theresa Renfro is throwing a pawty! Customers are encouraged to bring their pets – no matter the species – to romp and stomp through the new, novelty pet boutique in the heart of Point Loma Village. The pawty will showcase fresh vendor samples, a potpourri of treats, exclusive swag bags, a photo booth complete with a fish-eyed lens, trendy clothing, grand opening discounts and raffle prizes. Customers will peruse aisles filled with a collection of human-grade, species-specific pet food, doggie duds, beds made from organic cotton and hemp – to keep fleas at bay, – leashes and harnesses for sport and fun, plus a “plethora” of “toys, toys, toys.” “Pets are a delightful, special entity that everyone loves in a really special way,” said Renfro. “Wagging tails and wet noses are joyous. As you integrate a little entity into your family, we’re here to offer a pet lifestyle to enrich your experience.”
Staging a “complete ensemble for every pet,” Good Dog Pet Outfitters welcomes gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, parrots, parakeets, wild birds, hummingbirds, kittens, cats, ducks, chickens and of course, dogs. Described as a boutique that’s substantially different than “chain pet stores,” Renfro notes her eye for fine design and style with handmade bamboo and cotton pet clothes; her sense of community outreach with leashes that “give back;” and her promotion for proper nutrition, featuring an elite line of food and natural wellness products. “Good Dog Pet Outfitters isn’t a store one walks through pulling items from a shelf and placing them in a cart,” she said. “We’re a boutique that offers samples of treats and foods, clothing and leashes to try on and wellness products that fit your pet’s needs. We offer quality products, carefully handpicked by those who love animals as the family members they are.”
Renfro explained the parameters in which Good Dog Pet Outfitters aligns with San Diego’s activist role in changing the face of pet nutrition. “San Diego is on the forefront of changing the pet food industry,” said Renfro. “And Good Dog Pet Outfitters will remain a part of that evolution. We’re a boutique that sources and embraces wellness foods. Our shelves are lined with the best of the best including local companies like Honest Kitchen and Buddha Zest. Customers will find dehydrated, fresh-fish caught in Boston and hand-made batches of treats from a southwest bakery; gluten free and vegan products; and healing supplements for every stage of growth and development.”
Renfro stressed the importance of serving pets human-grade, species appropriate food. Forever changed by the documentary “Pet Fooled,” an investigative report on the commercial pet food industry, she advocates that proper nutrition keeps our pets “vital.”
“Pet Fooled” exposed the underbelly of pet food ingredients, including where they come from, along with nutrients, additives and poisonous and toxic fillers. Falling prey to creative, colorful and shiny packaging, consumers may be shocked to know what they’re feeding their pets. Renfro plans to educate buyers. “While we love western medicine, Good Dog Pet Outfitters will introduce, facilitate and integrate the health aspect of raising your pet,” she continued. “Our products change lives. Pets are family. We want to do what’s best for them. But marketing tricks persuade us to do the opposite. Pets should be eating human-grade, species appropriate food whether its raw, dehydrated, hand-made or single-sourced proteins. People need to educated on what they feed their beloved animals and we’re here to do just that.”
The pet lover shares her two-legged family with velveteen rabbits, parakeets, chickens, cats and a loving German Shephard named Frenchie. Renfro added that Point Loma is home to many chickens. Not just for the “lifestyle of fresh eggs,” but because Point Loma is “an outdoor sailing community of gardeners and cooks who love to eat well.
“Point Loma’s a community that likes to be grounded,” she said. “And part of the grounding experience is handling and raising pets, including chickens.” The Sunset Cliffs resident is no stranger to entrepreneurship. Good Dog Pet Outfitters clocks in at number three for Renfro’s Point Loma Village businesses. En Concordia, a home and garden gift shop, and See Saw, an educational toy and gift shop for babies and kids, gave prospect to the entrepreneurial tour-de-force’s third but not final venture.
“We’re happy with our family of stores,” she said. “We cover the kids, the pets, the home and the garden. We offer families a lifestyle and main street a visitor destination. Every village business encourages the gentrification of Point Loma Village, an older neighborhood that stands proud.”
Good Dog Pet Outfitters will donate a portion of sales to Second Chance Dog Rescue, a nonprofit, non-breed specific operation dedicated to saving homeless and senior dogs with health issues from high-kill shelters in San Diego, Baja and Mexico. Second Chance Dog Rescue provides medical care, including spays and neuters, and rehabilitation. Founded in 2008 by Sandra D. Simpson, Jason Cordoba, and Maria Blake, the rescue organization is highly successful in forever home placement. Dogs are initially integrated into volunteer foster families – there’s no shelter facility – to allow otherwise frightened, timid, or emotionally scarred dogs to blossom and flourish. Upon approval of a thorough application process, dogs and adoptees trial through a foster period to ensure the perfect fit. Adoptions are finalized upon approval of a home visit. “Second Chance Dog Rescue is near and dear to our heart,” said Renfro. “We love the concept of giving a homeless pet a “second chance.” A homeless pet is an unloved pet and we’re all about giving pets forever homes.”
To say the least, Renfro’s “super excited” about the grand opening. “Nothing like a German Shephard in a fish eye lens,” she said. “And who’s ready for Doga (dog yoga) and adoption events? Good Dog Pet Outfitters is located at 3034 Cañon St. in the heart of Point Loma Village. The grand opening celebration will take place between noon and 3 p.m. “Striving to offer the consumer the best experience and always placing our best foot forward, we’re ready to serve pets,” concluded Renfro. “Our mission is low tech, low toxicity, spark the spirit and respect the entity.” Where: 3034 Cañon St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Sundays. Info: www.gooddogpetoutfitters.com, 619-564-7534.