When Quebec native Sam Kredl opened The Fetching Dog in 2022, she brought a new face to a space with a special history for Little Pine. Located in the heart of Whistler Creekside, the new grooming shop now occupies the former home of Twin Trees Veterinary Clinic & Pet Boutique which was operated there from 2015-2022, before ultimately closing its doors due to staffing challenges linked to the region’s housing crisis.
Twin Trees was more than just a veterinary clinic—it was the original birthplace of Little Pine Pet. In 2015, the sustainable-minded, outdoors-loving team behind Twin Trees founded Little Pine with a mission to create thoughtful pet products that were better for animals and the planet. The unique Creekside space served two purposes: by day, it was home to the small sustainable Twin Trees Pet Boutique, and after hours, it operated as an emergency veterinary clinic supporting pets throughout the Sea-to-Sky community.
The Fetching Dog, is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood, offering professional grooming and boarding services alongside a beautiful selection of eco-conscious treats, toys, and pet essentials.
In this blog post, we'll dig into Sam's story and explore how her dog salon distinguishes itself through its commitment to sustainability and environmentally-conscious practices.
Q: Sam, it's great to have you here! Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to start The Fetching Dog, your dog grooming and daycare venture in Whistler? We'd love to hear how a walk in nature with your furry companion, Deus, blossomed into the vision it is today!
A: Thank you for having me! It all started with our dog Deus, a fluffy boy who needed a tidy up. Our house didn't have the set up for it so we looked for a grooming salon around town. We quickly realized there were very limited options for locals, and our friends had to travel to Pemberton or even Vancouver just to get their dogs groomed! We saw an opportunity to help the community by providing a much needed service :)
Q: Could you share with us why grooming is so important for our furry companions, and how The Fetching Dog approaches helping dogs that may be afraid of bath or nail trims? We'd love to know more about your approach to ensuring a positive and stress-free grooming experience for every dog in your care.
A: For most dog breeds, grooming is essential to their well-being. A groomer is the first check point before the vet. During the bathing process and with the help of our deeply cleansing bathing system, we can clearly notice any skin condition, tick, ear infection, scratch, or anomaly on the dog and relay that information to the owner. We also use a conditioner treatment on all our dogs, which helps moisturize their coat. Regular grooming also prevents extensive mats from forming. Mats can trap moisture and bacteria close to the dog's skin, causing irritation, infection, and discomfort, especially between paw pads. It is shown that a clean cute pup receives more love and affection too!
Being a grooming salon in Whistler, we see a lot of rescue dogs and mountain mutts that are more used to running the trails than being bathed. For many, it's a first and each has its own baggage just like us humans. That's why we find it essential to use a soft and patient approach with all our dogs. Allowing the dog to get used to the space beforehand, gradually working with the dog and the owner, and handfuls of treats and peanut butter are some of the ways that help us build a trustworthy relationship. We encourage people to stop by our shop during their walks and grab a treat from the jars as a way to help dog's associate our store to a happy place!
Q: Sustainability is close to our hearts too, and we admire your dedication to making a positive impact! What inspired you to take an eco-friendly approach with The Fetching Dog, and how do you ensure your grooming and daycare services align with eco-conscious principles? Kudos for putting the planet's well-being at the forefront of your business!
A: I wouldn't say that we were suddenly 'inspired' to take an eco-friendly path, it's more like it's a requirement that is engrained in us. If we were to open a business in 2023, it had to align with that value in every way possible. Before we signed anything, I wanted to know if we could keep this promise. Opening our salon meant that people wouldn't need to drive an hour or two to get their dog groomed, greatly reducing emissions. That was our first motive.
After hours and hours of researching, we found a local all-natural grooming product supplier and partnered up with other amazing companies that shared our vision. Biodegradable toys, hemp towels (zero microplastics released during a wash cycle), handcrafted dog bowls and upcycled leashes made from climbing rope, the list goes on.
We wanted to do more, so we decided to associate a wildlife charity to each of our boarding pens. Every time a pup stays with us, we set aside 20% of the profit and after a year, we will gather up those funds and send it to the organizations. Many of these non-profits are places that we have volunteered at and are close to our hearts.
