WetPetz Spa is now open at 610 Shorter Avenue in West Rome. Owner April Rikard originally tired to open the business in a building on the Cotton Block of Broad Street but learned that the zoning would not permit the type of business that caters to animals. We did the lease and everything, it was a very expensive lesson,” Rikard said.

The business is a self-serve pet spa, with four tubs that are sectioned off in semi-private bays. The water is temperature controlled and the business supplies everything. “We supply all the natural organic shampoos and conditioners, we have warmed towels in each bay and then we also have a 12-foot grooming station with clippers, brushes, the ear and eye cleaners and professional blow dryers,” Rikard said.

WetPetz Spa also has a full service that offers all the same types of services except that staff provides the bath.

Rikard got the idea from a similar operation in Chatta-nooga where she used to live. “It wasn’t really a spa thing, more of a doggie wash, but it was self-serve,” Rikard said. I kind of enhanced the idea and made it more of a spaish atmosphere with more organize stuff.” She said that one day she’d like to franchise the concept.

WetPetz Spa is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Pack-ages start at $15.