Hershey, spokesdog for Woofie's of Leland, eyes his image on the mobile pet spa van (Photo courtesy of Woofie's)

A new pet care company that caters to furry customers in Brunswick and parts of Columbus counties will celebrate its grand opening in Holden Beach this weekend.

Woofie’s of Leland is a franchise operation offering dog walking, pet sitting and mobile pet spa services. Owner Lisa Miller will bring the Woofie’s van to the Days at the Dock festival Saturday and Sunday, offering nail trims and wash-and-go baths while supplies last. There will also be a raffle and giveaways.

After being a client of the original Woofie’s in northern Virginia, Miller said purchasing a franchise when she moved to Oak Island was a no-brainer.

“I’d always admired how co-founders Leslie Barron and Amy Addington conducted their business, how professional they were, and how secure they made me feel with my dogs in their hands,” Miller said. “I actually was one of their first clients in 2004, and I approached them before they started franchising to let them know of my interest whenever they started.”

Currently, Woofie’s of Leland has one mobile grooming van and about 15 employees. Grooming and walking services are primarily for dogs; overnight pet sitting is available for both dogs and cats, Miller said.

The mobile pet spa provides one-on-one, cage-free grooming services such as breed-specific haircuts, nail trims, hydrosurge baths and specialized de-matting and de-shedding treatments, according to a news release.

“The customization of products and services for each pet and the focus on the customer experience further set Woofie’s services apart from others in the industry,” the release stated. 

Prior to her move south, Miller worked in sales, marketing and finance – most recently in the mortgage industry. Her new business allows her to combine her business skills and her love of animals, she said. Her Chow/Akita/German Shepherd mix, Hershey, is the spokesdog for Woofie’s of Leland and his face is prominently displayed on the company’s mobile pet spa van.

As summer approaches, Miller plans to schedule “yappy hours” at area establishments, where people can enjoy refreshments while their dogs have a quick grooming session.

She also purchased the Woofie’s Wilmington franchise and will expand across the river soon.

Woofie’s of Leland is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.