Sudsy Pups:
Birmingham's First Automated Pet Wash Opens on Gadsden Highway  

Dogs Enter High-Tech Machine Dirty, Come

Out Clean And Dry 24 Minutes Later 

BIRMINGHAM -- There are no dirty dogs at the newly opened Pet Supplies "Plus" on Gadsden Highway, now that the 11,000 square foot store installed the city's first automated dog washer and dryer. "Dogs are put into the machine dirty, and they come out clean and dry, it's that simple," said Heath Argo, franchisee/owner of the store.  

If history is any indication, the suds will be flowing freely at the new dog wash. An automated wash that Pet Supplies "Plus" installed at its Atlanta store last year is now cleaning 100 dogs a week. 

Completely safe for dogs of all sizes, the store's "Pet Spa" resembles a large commercial laundry washer -- but there's no spin cycle! Instead, dogs are placed in a comfortable cabin, where strategically positioned nozzles deliver a soothing four-minute bath and hydro massage. This is followed by a stress-free 20-minute blow drying cycle. Wash and dry cycles, as well as the application of the machine's tearless shampoo, are all controlled by computer, and adjusted to fit the size of the dog.

"Pets have really taken to this machine," said Argo. "We've had everything from a little Boston terrier to a 100-pound Lab mix step into the Pet Spa's cabin, and they all seem to enjoy it." 

Owners are more likely than pets to be apprehensive about using the machine, according to the manager. "Some people, whose dogs have always hated getting a bath, are reluctant to try the Pet Spa, but once they put their pets in, and see how much the dogs like it, they relax," said Argo. "They'll leave their dog in the machine, go shopping, then come back to pick up a dry pet."  

Argo can tell that his canine clients are enjoying their automated bath, because the Pet Spa provides an unobstructed view of dogs as they're being washed and dried. "We've located the Pet Spa at the front of our store, and people love to watch their pets being washed," he said.  

Starting at $11.95 per pet for a 24 minute session in the Pet Spa, the store is anticipating a big demand for its automated dog wash.   

For more information, contact Pet Supplies "Plus" at 205-836-3738.