Pet food scare shifts were pet owners shop

Carol Goldberg, owner of Paws, Claws, & Tails, left, often helps customers like Sue Willis, who are looking for a natural alternative for their pets.

The Paws, Claws, & Tails pet supplies store had the best sales month in its seven-year history during the month of March.

Owner Carol Goldberg says the pet food scare is to blame because pet owners are scrambling for alternatives and ways to protect their pets.

“This has been going on for nine months now and people are very confused as to what to feed their animals,” said Goldberg, who first opened the shop on U.S. 41. “I think it’s just going to continue because there is so much being said in the media.”

The media, Goldberg said, is not only causing confusion but being irresponsible by telling owners to make their own pet food.

“It’s not a good idea for people to make their own food because with the rate of obesity in people, what is to say they can make good food for their pets?” asked Goldberg, who offers an extensive selection of organic and natural pet foods. “Animals need more vitamins and nutrients that most people foods don’t have.”

The store’s food selection includes natural foods in which every ingredient listed on the package can be consumed by humans.

“We have human-grade quality for human consumption and many people don’t realize the importance of that,” she said. “Every dog is on to its own and eventually they will get sick if they don’t get what they need.”

And Goldberg says the food she sells is the best on the market. She sells organic products and more than 20 varieties of natural foods including raw foods.

Sue Willis is a regular customer at the store who recently found the dog food she buys on the Food and Drug Administration poisoned food list.

The list is continually being updated as the department finds more and more canned foods contaminated.

“This is the first time I switch their food but I trust their opinions,” said Willis, of Fort Myers Beach about the advice she received at the store.

Willis has a Yorkie and a golden retriever. “I’m buying them natural food to see if it goes better.”

Buying natural food is a healthy alternative for pets with sensitive stomachs or those with ailments. But Goldberg advises that people see a nutritionist veterinarian before they change their pets food.

“Some people just don’t want to switch foods because the dog may get sick but I think you have to,” said Goldberg who owns two poodles.