Gainesville’s first wellness-centered grooming company is ready to cater to all dog owners.
Scenthound, located at 2835 SW 91st St in the Haile Publix Market Square, opened May 24 and provides grooming services focused on overall wellness and routine care of all dogs — rather than just the haircuts or baths associated with traditional groomers.
Joseph and Kathryn Pizzurro, co-owners of the new Gainesville location, have lived together in Alachua County for over eight years with their rescue dog, Pi. Their love for animals, ranging from fish to horses, developed during their childhoods and influences their work to this day.
With each service, Scenthound performs a S.C.E.N.T. check — an evaluation of each dog’s skin, coat, ears, nails and teeth. The evaluation is digitally sent to each dog’s owner to identify any issues before they become health concerns, Kathryn said.
“The philosophy behind Scenthound and our services is that it would be attractive to any dog parents out there,” Joseph Pizzurro said. “One of the things that occurred during the pandemic was the rise of the adoption of dogs throughout our community, and we feel that we are able to offer an affordable and convenient way to help those families take care of their dogs.”
Scenthound operates 66 different locations across seven states, and the Gainesville location is the first in all of North Central Florida, Joseph said. The next closest location is in Jupiter, more than 250 miles away.
Kathryn Pizzurro said Scenthound offers a monthly membership called their “Clean Club.” This service allows members to receive 25% off all grooming services.
The monthly cost for Scenthound’s grooming services depends on the size and coat of each dog, Kathryn said.
In addition to monthly grooming costs, there is an annual membership fee to become a “Clean Club” member.
However, dog owners do not need to have a membership to be able to use Scenthound’s services. The “Clean Club” is just an initiative to encourage monthly care for the dogs, Joseph said.
“The membership base model builds a routine for the family and a familiarity and comfort for the dog over time,” he said. “It just becomes part of the overall routine of the family in the same way that children need to go to the doctor at regular intervals.”
Kathleen Troy, 60, is the owner of an English Cream Golden Retriever named Cooper and is a new member of Scenthound’s “Clean Club.”
“I am going to try to do it every month, because they are fantastic,” she said. “I wish Gainesville had something like this years ago.”
Joseph said he and Kathryn are thrilled to bring Scenthound to North Central Florida.
“The response from the community has been very positive, and we look forward to working with dog owners throughout the region in helping maintain the health and wellness of their animals,” he said.
Contact Maya Erwin at merwin@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @mayaerwin3.
Maya is a third-year journalism major at the University of Florida covering university general assignment news for The Alligator. In her free time, Maya loves traveling, spending time with friends and listening to music.
