Round of a

ST. GEORGE —This new pet store is the cat's meow.

From a full doggie bakery to pet wash stations and an expert cat groomer, Whisker & Bone is providing Southern Utah with something a little different.

"It's been really wonderful to watch the support people have for me," Whisker & Bone owner Samm Albright said. "And not just for me, but the idea that I have and the space I’m trying to create. The vibe, the feeling."

Whisker & Bone offers everything a cat or dog needs from infancy all the way through seniorhood. The aisles are filled with supplies, hard goods, food, treats and toys.

The first thing you might notice when stepping into the store isn't just the variety of products, it's the smell of something delicious. But sorry humans, these treats aren't for you.

To the right of the entrance are Doggie Bakes, a full dog treat bakery. Owner Amiyo Gill bakes up fresh treats made from ingredients such as peanut butter and local raw honey, with toppings like beetroot and turmeric powder to create their colorful appearance.

Other specialty treats include dog churros, which are made from sweet potatoes, apples, flour and eggs and include zero preservatives, additives, or dyes. Doggie Hot pockets are made with chicken and thyme and warmed up for 20 seconds before being served to a lucky canine.

Need to suds up your pup? The "Sun Moon" and the "Moon Room" are two self-serve dog washes inside Whisker & Bone that include organic shampoo and conditioner, towels and a groomer-grade blowdryer that can blow out the undercoat and stop shedding in its tracks.

"As far as I know, they’re the only single-room dog washes with tubs that can fit truly any size dog in Southern Utah that isn't timed," Albright said. "It's the same fee no matter the dog's weight or coat. Just come in, I have a Bluetooth speaker you can take in with you and enjoy your time."

Prefer the hands-off method? Three full-time professional groomers with a cumulative grooming experience of 25 years are ready to prim both cats and dogs. Albright said one groomer specializes in cat grooming and soon will be the only certified cat groomer in Southern Utah.

Grooming takes place in a gently-paced environment, and only one groomer touches each animal from start to finish. While many grooming salons have groomers take in up to 20 animals a day, she said groomers at Whisker & Bone see an average of six animals a day, allowing for the individual time they need and a happy work environment.

"For having this as a career, it's important to me that they don't have that burnout. It can't just be about my bottom line, because my bottom line is them, and him," Albright said about her employees and her 15-month-old son.

The painted walls throughout Whisker & Bone are being completed by artist Emily Staheli. Albright said it feels like Staheli "reached into her brain and ripped out what she wanted, then spattered it on the wall," and couldn't be happier that everything is turning out exactly how she imagined. She asks customers to pardon their dust as they put the finishing touches on the store.

The story behind the store

Albright's love for pet nutrition and care started when she lifted up a blanket from one of her three toy poodles and discovered half-eaten deodorant sticks, toothpaste and pens. At the time, she found it amusing, but after telling her groomer about it, she realized it was no laughing matter. When asked what kind of food she was giving her dogs, she wasn't prepared for what she was about to hear.

"She looked me directly in the eye," Albright said. "‘I’ll never forget. She's like, ‘That's like feeding your toddler McDonald's every single day. They’re looking for nutrients in other places."

As she walked into Lovin’ Arms Pet Center — now known as The Modern Pet — in search of proper nutrition, she watched the owner talk to people about their pets’ livelihood in a way she had never heard. She immediately felt inspired and knew it was exactly what she wanted to do as a career.

After changing pet food for a few weeks, her dog wasn't hoarding or going through the garbage anymore. She returned to the store and "talked her way into a job."

"I just knew I wanted to be there," she said. "And the first day there I was even more inspired than I ever thought I could be. I just want to help people have their pet as long as possible."

After nine years in the pet nutrition industry, she stepped away in November 2022 and began designing Whisker & Bone from the ground up. She signed the lease on the store location in January.

"It's just he and I," she said about her son. "We’re here. We’re doing this. I’m doing this for him. I’m doing this for the pets. And I’m also doing this to create jobs for our community. Not just a job, but a career and a life."

Albright said she strives to see her employees succeed, with the ability to buy things like a home and car. Watching them put those dollars back into the community instead of living paycheck to paycheck is something she will always be passionate about.

"It's been overwhelming, it's been rewarding, it's been inspiring," she said. "It's been like, right – right where I’m supposed to be. Every step of the way. Watching it all come together makes me tear up."

Visit Whisker & Bone at 1028 E Tabernacle St #3 in St. George. To book a grooming appointment click here or call (435) 674-2157. Find @whiskbone on Instagram for additional information.

Photo Gallery

Homemade dog treats by Amiyo Gill with Doggie Bakes are pictured inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Whisker & Bone owner Samm Albright stands inside her store she built from the ground up in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Healthy pet food lines the shelves inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Doggie Bakes owner Amiyo Gill sands inside her bakery inside Whisker and Bone, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Emily Staheli paints wall art inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The inside of the new pet store Whisker and Bone features homemade dog treats and more, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Homemade dog treats by Amiyo Gill with Doggie Bakes are pictured inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Dog toys line the walls inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The entrances to both the Moon Room and Sun Room inside Whisker and Bone lead to self-serve dog washes, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The Moon Room inside Whisker and Bone features painted art by Emily Staheli in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The Sun Room inside Whisker and Bone features painted art by Emily Staheli and a large tub for self-serve dog washes, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

A groomer cuts the hair of a dog inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Tins full of healthy treats are seen inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The bathroom inside Whisker and Bone features painted art by Emily Staheli in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Healthy pet food lines the shelves inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Whisker & Bone owner Samm Albright stocks the shelves inside her store in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Whisker & Bone owner Samm Albright stands inside her store in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The dog treat bakery Doggie Bakes is seen inside Whisker and Bone in St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Doggie Bakes owner Amiyo Gill makes doggie Hot Pockets inside Whisker and Bone, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Whisker & Bone owner Samm Albright stands outside her store in George, Utah, May 18, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, "The Rambling Raccoon." In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

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