The Animal House, an award-winning, family-owned business in Damariscotta since 2005, is opening a second location in Westbrook in the Kohl’s plaza on Nov. 15. The Animal House features only natural products and offers free nutritional consultations.
They focus on foods, supplements, and remedies for common ailments, but also offer a wide selection of collars, grooming products, toys, litter, outdoor gear, and other supplies.
The philosophy, according to owner Aubrey Martin, has worked out well over the past decade.
“We don’t carry any food or treats from China,” Martin said. “None of our food lines contain wheat, corn, soy, by-products, artificial colorings, or preservatives.
“We don’t sell rawhide, or things that aren’t digestible or chemicals of any kind. You’d be surprised how many products still meet that criteria.”
They also carry many made-in-New-England products, including Lupine, Planet Dog, Doggie Safe ‘n Dry, Mutt Nose Best, Yellow Snow Dog Gear, Earth Animal, and Oma’s Pride.
Another Animal House specialty is raw-food diets for dogs and cats, including frozen, freeze-dried, dehydrated, and air-dried.
The Animal House has won numerous awards through the years, including Best of the Best from Down East Magazine, Pet Retailer of the Year from Pet Product News, and Business Enhancement from the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce. They were also selected as a finalist in the Maine Family Business Awards this year.
In addition, they host adoption events throughout the year, including Woofstock, 12 Woofs of Christmas, and bimonthly adoption clinics featuring rescues and shelters from around the region.
In Damariscotta, The Animal House has adopted out over 700 cats on behalf of their area shelters, and are partnering with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in a similar cat adoption program.
Stella and Chewy’s will be on hand on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to hand out samples and coupons for their freeze-dried and frozen diets and treats for dogs and cats.
The Animal House will also be participating in Black Friday and will do a grand opening in the spring.
“We have been so thrilled with the reception we have had so far from Westbrook and from those from surrounding communities. We feel so fortunate to be here,” said Martin.
The Animal House will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are located at 11 Main St., in the former Cardsmart, next to US Cellular, at Westbrook Crossing.
For more information, call 887-9638, email info@theanimalhouse.net, or visit www.theanimalhouse.net.
