- November 1, 2024
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Palm Coast resident Martha Paye brushes her dog, Ursa. Photo by Paige Wilson
Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash owners Ana Wallar and Karen Oberst. Photo by Paige Wilson
Rymfire Elementary School student Wyatt Christlied and teacher Kate Sturman wash Momma, from the Flagler Humane Society. Photo by Paige Wilson
St. Augustine resident James Schreiber washes his dog Tucker. He said the experience was easier on the back than a home wash, in addition to the convenience of not having to cleanup. Photo by Paige Wilson
Rymfire Elementary School student Wyatt Christlied drys off Flagler Humane Society dog Momma. Photo by Paige Wilson
St. Augustine resident James Schreiber washes his dog Tucker, who is pictured in sunglasses on the wall. He's friends with the owners. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jan Ingham, of Hernando, traveled to meet Scruffy from the Flagler Humane Society, before possibly adopting. Photo by Paige Wilson
Owner Karen Oberst drys Scruffy, from the Flagler Humane Society. Photo by Paige Wilson
Washing your dog doesn’t have to be ruff.
A new Palm Coast business is taking the hassle out of cleaning up after dog washes by opening “Salty Dogs DIY Dog Wash,” located at 1755 Palm Harbor Parkway.
With five dog-washing stations that each are 48 inches long and can hold up to 200 pounds, every size dog is welcome to sit in the elevated tub during a massaging wash and dry session. Dog owners can wash their own dog in the tub with the shop’s supplies for $15 — for any size dog. If you’d prefer to have your dog washed for you, the rates vary depending on the size of the dog, starting at $30.
Ana Wallar and Karen Oberst opened the business on Monday, Nov. 5, with a grand-opening ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 18. With a sleek setup and attention to cleanliness, the business hopes to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers and their four-legged friends. Oberst said they vacuum at least seven times a day and work hard to keep the space from smelling like wet dog.
“The idea is for people to come and just have a good experience, for the pets to come and have a good experience,” said Wallar. “We wanted it to be nice. We have a coffee station; we always have goodies for people and always have free goodies for puppies. They’re made at home. We only do organic and gluten free.”
Though the business just launched, they’re already looking for ways to positively impact the community, like partnering with the Flagler Humane Society to offer a free dog wash for each pup when it’s adopted from the shelter.
“Businesses need to be profitable, but we feel the need to give back,” Wallar said.
The owners each have a passion for rescues. Wallar, who previously lived in Romania, fostered 17 dogs over a period of two years there.
“I have a three-and-a-half legged rescue here. I’ve been a dog groomer for years,” Oberst said. “You just love them, and you want to do right by them.”
The business also aims to help people who find it difficult to wash their dogs.
“We have a lot of retired people, and it’s hard for them to actually bend in the tub or take them in the shower. They have to clean everything, and it’s hard,” Wallar said. “A lot of these people actually wash their pets outside, but when it gets cold, the hose doesn’t turn warm.”
Salty Dogs focuses on creating a personalized experience for each pet.
“You get to know your customers, you know their dogs. They know us. They’re comfortable coming here,” Oberst said.
