Mike Petroske has loved dogs all his life.
Now, he spends his work day surrounded by them.
On Feb. 3, Petroske reopened the dog daycare at 701 S. Industrial Drive with a new name.
It is now called Paws n’ Claws.
Dog daycare, boarding and grooming are offered.
Petroske owns the building that includes the business. The first section of the building was constructed in 2002, with an addition in 2004.
Eight years ago, a dog daycare opened in part of his building.
“I was always interested in the concept,” he said. “I thought it was a neat idea.”
When the previous dog daycare closed, Petroske felt he had two options – seek a new tenant or reopen the business.
He decided to remodel the space and open Paws n’ Claws.
“The first thing I did was put in floor drains,” Petroske said. “I completely redid the floors. I made the front room area more customer friendly. I replaced the chainlink fence with walls and separate the big dogs from the little dogs.”
Petroske, who has a construction background, spent a month on the project before reopening the business.
“It worked out great,” he said.
Petroske says the daycare area is pressure washed once a week. “And, we’re constantly mopping,” he said.
Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Paws n’ Claws’ groomer is Linda Neuroth, who brings 15 years of grooming, boarding and daycare experience to the business.
Petroske’s employees include Mandy Harris, who has 10 years experience in the business, and Alexis Boucher.
Dog training classes are also offered by Renea Dahms, a dog training and behavior specialist.
People may call Petroske’s business at 715-258-3338 for class schedules.
Paws n’ Claws has 12 kennels for boarding. Eight of them are 8×8 and have always been referred to as the “suites.”
Taste of the Wild dog and cat food is sold there, as well as Nutri Life dog food, a product made in the Midwest.
Rong toys and treats are also sold there.
“Everything is reasonably priced,” Petroske said.
In regard to the daycare part of the business, he urges people to try it once for their dogs.
“I have had several people say how happy their dogs are, how tired they are (when they pick them up) and how excited they are to come,” Petroske said. “They all say, ‘Do you want to go to school?’”
He said, “Bring it one day per week and see the difference. It’s just awesome for the dog.”
Petroske plans to have a grand opening on Saturday, June 7.
“We will be having free hotdogs, treats for kids and adults,” he said. “We will be running some specials on daycare and boarding and also grooming.”
Plans also call for Petroske to add an outdoor play center and pool for the dogs by summer. The outdoor kennel will be a sheltered area.
“I love building stuff,” he said. “That is what I bring to the table.”
Petroske says the dogs have fun at Paws n’ Claws.
He is having fun, too.
“I feel it is important for me to be here every day,” Petroske said.
As he gets used to being covered in dog hair every day, he said, “It’s kind of like running a zoo, I imagine.”