It's The Year of The mod.dog

mod.dog is an upscale dog boutique that specializes in luxury accessories for beloved pooches. But what makes mod.dog most trend-breaking is its strong emphasis on dog rescue and adoption.

Aventura, FL, APRIL 24, 2006: 2006 is not only the Year of the Dog, but for patrons of a new pet boutique in the Aventura Mall, Aventura, FL, it’s also the year of the mod.dog is an upscale dog boutique that specializes in luxury accessories for beloved pooches. But what makes mod.dog most trend-breaking is its strong emphasis on dog rescue and adoption. “The concept of mod.dog boutique, besides selling the most hip up-to-date doggie accessories, is to educate our customers that you don’t have to buy your best friend from a pet store. There are millions of animals in shelters and rescues all over the U.S. -- including plenty of small breeds -- and we intend to let everyone we come in contact with become aware of this,” boasts Kimberly Walker, owner of mod.dog.

Ms. Walker has been in the pet industry for seven years, and is owner of mu*shu fine canine accessories, which also supports homeless pets with her “Rescue Series” of doggie T-shirts, and the newly released “No Puppy Mill” T-shirt. $1.00 from the sale of each of these shirts goes to local rescues. “Sales from the rescue series tees last year netted over $800 for the organizations we supported, and we hope 2006 brings even more,” notes Ms. Walker.

With the opening of mod.dog comes a new concept that the pet boutique industry has not seen before: a “Cyber Rescue & Adoption Lounge” where customers in the boutique can relax and go online to see pets that are available for adoption. “We are so excited about this new concept, and hope that it will start a new trend around the country” says Ms. Walker. “People are starting to realize that there is no need to support stores that sell puppies that come from 'puppy mills' (breeding facilities in the Midwest that mass-produce dogs in unsanitary, unfit conditions for a profit, with minimal regard for the quality and welfare of the animals), when they can feel good about giving a homeless pet a bed to sleep in.” The computer in the cyber lounge was donated by Shipboard Networks, a business owned by one of the boutique’s customers who wanted to be a part of helping homeless pets.

In addition, mod.dog offers the most nutritious foods and treats, along with a nutritional consultant who can explain exactly why these edibles are top of the line. ”Our foods and treats are much more than pretty packaging,” explains Sharon Athanasiou, manager and nutritional consultant at mod.dog. “Dogs are carnivores, and need to be fed accordingly in order for them to get maximum benefit from their nourishment. mod.dog features a great selection of canned and dry foods, as well as treats, for our carnivorous companions.” Ms. Athanasiou adds: “You can pamper your best friend as much as you’d like, but when it comes down to it, ensuring your dog’s good health is always first priority.”

Overall, mod.dog hopes to not only be viewed as a boutique to fulfill every type of pet-pampering need, but also as an educational resource for adoption and health care.

mod.dog is located on the 2nd floor of the Aventura Mall outside of Macy’s (305) 692-5477. mod.dog's second location, which will also include a grooming salon, will open in July 2006. You can order the rescue series T-shirts by visiting www.mushucanineboutique.com

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