From doggy brunch to tribute tattoos, here are the latest ideas for living your best life with your furry friends.
A weekend Barking Brunch at Salty Paws is just one new way to pamper your Philly pets. / Photograph by Theresa Regan
Barking Brunch at Salty Paws
Rittenhouse
Salty Paws, the adorable ice cream parlor and bakery just for dogs that open on 17th Street in 2022, is now even better thanks to its new weekend brunch service. Think hot dogs, “doggie lattes” (decaffeinated, of course), breakfast cookies, and free coffee for pet parents.
Have a Cat Cafe
Beautiful view
Jackie Starker’s non-profit space is a Colombian cafe in the front and a cat adoption salon in the back – through an airlock, to meet health department standards. Get a Cat partners with Fishtails Animal Rescue to bring kittens, which you can play with after reserving a time slot for $15. (Kids nine and older can visit too.) Those who fall in love can adopt a kitten – then buy toys in the cafe shop.
Pawtrait Pet Pop-Up “Trust the Pawcess” Sessions
Let’s rent
Puppies and kittens and bunnies…grow up so fast. So photographer Matt Caserta and his partner, Mary Sweeney, began offering private packages to document your pet’s journey in three separate photo sessions.
From a Pawtrait Pet Pop-Up “Trust the Pawcess” photo shoot / Photography by Matthew Caserta, Pawtrait Pet Pop-Up
Vanity Tintype
Fishtown
Want to take your pet photo sessions to the next level? How about the 1800’s? Maurene Cooper revived the wet collodion process to create black and white heirloom photos. The images are made on tin plates placed in a 19th century style camera and developed before your eyes in a chemical bath. Cooper does open studio pet sessions twice a year at her Fishtown space, or you can request a longer private session at any time. His subjects: all animals and their humans. Check out his Instagram, @vanitytintypefor announcements.
Rachael Shelly at Forever Valentine Tattoo
South Philly
Immortalize your beloved creature in ink by booking this artist at the Bok’s appointment only tattoo studio. From dogs and cats to birds and snakes, Shelly’s dream tattoos are intricate and very personal.
The Boozy Mutt and Bark Social
Brewerytown and Manayunk
This has been a fantastic year for the social life of four-legged friends. Not one, but two dog-centric bars have recently opened in Philly: Bark Social in Manayunk, followed by the Boozy Mutt in Brewerytown. Both have ample space for running, dog menus and special events. (We even heard of a bark mitzvah. L’chaim!) There is also plenty of eating and drinking for the man, but this is not for you.
Photo courtesy of Bark Social
Sally’s Paw Spaw
East Passyunk
This stylish grooming spot has been a hit since its debut three years ago, largely due to the excellent care the team takes on your dog, not to mention the over-the-top offerings. Case in point: You can add on a pedicure (complete with nails), fur styles, even a dye job.
James Pet Beds by Jimmy DeLaurentis
City Center
Interior designer Jimmy DeLaurentis’ first brick-and-mortar is not just a destination for decor; it is a point to get gifts for your stylish pets. In addition to Pawda and Pawtier plushies, you’ll find pet sofas that mimic their luxurious Italian-inspired private label furniture collection, with commercial-grade hardwood frames and durable indoor/outdoor fabrics. What better place to leave sleeping dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits?
Published as “Vanity Fur” in the May 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine
