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Creature comforts

A veterinarian heals and his wife deals at a new beach spot for furred, feathered and scaled loved ones.

By SHARON L. BOND
Published August 14, 2005

ST. PETE BEACH - Vacant land on Gulf Boulevard now is occupied by St. Pete Beach Veterinary Clinic, which also has an upscale pet boutique called the One Ear Bunny.

This place is more than a new facility for animal care, even though it has the latest in equipment, such as a special table for dental work, expanded boarding rooms, and in the boutique, nail polish for dogs and CDs of canine lullabies.

St. Pete Beach Veterinary Clinic represents expansion of a veterinary practice that has been on the beach since 1999. It is a $1.5-million investment by owners Kevin and Cheri Rose. It is a redeveloped piece of property, in the city's eyes. Plus the boutique carries a number of items produced by at least six local entrepreneurs. And it provides a day job for Moose, a 11/2-year-old American bulldog from a rescue program.

"He greets everybody," Mrs. Rose said of Moose, who joins a family that includes human children Kevin, 5, and Autumn, 3. Moose sleeps in Autumn's room every night.

He also swaggers into the boutique occasionally and pulls a toy off the shelf for his entertainment.

"We were operating in about 1,000 square feet, and we have about 5,000 clients," said Mrs. Rose, 32. The clinic had no room for boarding in its previous location. "We built this place and it provides us with what we need."

It also spruces up the city.

"Any new redevelopment is going to be a step higher than what was previously there," said City Manager Mike Bonfield. "It's not a huge project. It is an improvement. More important, it gives businesses around it an opportunity to see what could happen."

In the clinic's new 4,300-square-foot space at 6605 Gulf Blvd. are several examination rooms, an X-ray room, separate boarding areas for cats and dogs, and a day care room with pet sofas and stuffed toys. Day care clients can watch Animal Planet or DVDs, like one for cats that shows rodents and birds. A room to quarantine sick animals with contagious diseases was built but has not been needed yet.

St. Pete Beach Veterinary doesn't accept large animals, "but we will do exotics, snakes, birds and rabbits," said Kevin Rose, 43. He declined to discuss annual revenue figures.

It also offers training, which Moose may get soon.

"He is a little rough around the edges," Mrs. Rose said of the 85-pound dog. "He thinks he is a Chihuahua."

The boutique is full of items for pets and their owners, including cloth harnesses and specialty shampoos for cats, dogs and horses. Also on hand are books, charms for owners' bracelets, customized artwork, license plates and dog floats, the smallest of which could accommodate a cat, Mrs. Rose said. A stroller, complete with cup holders and pockets for stashing stuff, turns into a carrier when the frame is removed.

Fresh treats are offered for sale, including fancy ones like an almond cheese torte or regulars like pup cakes.

Craig Morse of Largo has products from Josh's Firehouse Dog Treats at the new clinic. He began making dog treats for a pet with a lot of food allergies. After giving them to family members and friends for their dogs, he got into the business.

"Lemon rice was the first flavor," said Morse. Then came chicken, beef, vegetable and garlic, which is a natural flea deterrent.

Peanut butter treats are among the favorites.

"We grind our own peanuts. We do almost everything in-house," he said.

That is what appeals to Mrs. Rose.

"They are local. That means (the goods) are fresh," she said.

Other locals who sell at the clinic include harness makers, artists, photographers and other treat makers.

Sally Zimmerman of Alice June Graphics Inc. in St. Petersburg does animal pop-art portraits as a side business.

"We mostly deal with commercial clients and produce signs and decor for retail displays and restaurants," Zimmerman said. When approached by Mrs. Rose, Zimmerman said she thought the pet thing would be a fun sideline.

"It's really great," she said of the chance to serve a local business. "So many people go to Atlanta and New York. If you work with local people, it's better for the economy. It's more convenient. I hope to grow this area of our business."

[Last modified August 14, 2005, 00:53:19]