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published: Friday, February 18, 2011
Bakery offers pets yappy hour and other doggie treats
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
CLERMONT-- Dog owners can rest easy knowing there's a place in Clermont to satisfy all of their doggie needs.
In fact, Woof Gang Bakery's owners, husband and wife team Luc Peeters and Rita Ryckebosch, are sure customers will be pleased with the collection of food, treats and merchandise as well as the love and care their dogs will experience there.
"We invite people to come in with their dogs. After all, it's one of the very few places where they (dogs) can come in and be totally welcome," said Peeters. "We love everyone's dogs like if they were our own."
Peeters and Ryckebosch, originally from Belgium, moved to Clermont after vacationing in Florida in 1986 and falling in love with the area.
They had owned a restaurant in Belgium -- an upscale steakhouse called Kemphaan -- where Peeters was the chef.
They opened Woof Gang Bakery in November, part of a regional franchise. As Peeters puts it, they simply "switched from people food to dog food."
"Of course, we sell pre-packaged treats, but we also pride ourselves in baking our own cookies and treats in house, using only the best and purest ingredients," Peeters said.
The couple's homemade treats and cookies are all made with human-grade ingredients and all natural products. The goods have no chemicals and everything on them -- like the icing and other decorations -- are not sugar, but yogurt-based.
Woof Gang also carries three types of dog food -- raw food, which is frozen and very powerful, dry food, which are kibbles and canned food.
The most important thing to Peeters however, is that all the food they carry no-matter what variety is bought from companies that have never had any recalls, that don't test on animals and that are completely grain free.
"Dogs are very important parts of peoples' families. They (dogs) get treated like royalty sometimes, so we make sure to only carry the best for them," Peeters said. "We have founded our business on the understanding that caring pet owners want to provide their pets with the happiest, healthiest quality of life possible and we are committed to providing superior products that enhance the well-being of your dog."
People also can purchase other items, including toys, vitamins, clothing, spa products, dog collars and leashes. Peeters said they also carry doggie life jackets, since many people in the South Lake area enjoy "on the lake" activities such as boating and picnicking.
Peeters said his business also offers Woof Gang's loyalty club, where people will be e-mailed with monthly newsletters filled with information, announcements for special events, discounts, vouchers for a free doggie birthday treat and much more.
On the second Wednesday of each month, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Woof Gang is also host to "yappy hour." During this time, dogs and their owners are treated to snacks, drinks and information shared by company specialists, local vets and other pet-friendly organizations.
"A lot of people have dogs with allergies or diabetes and they have questions," Peeters said.
In addition, Peeters said there's always a groomer there to help clip doggie toe nails, a task that to many can be a little intimidating.
"Basically, we get to know our customers and they get to know us," Peeters said. "That's what we're all about."
Woof Gang is located at 4383 S. U.S. Highway 27, in the King's Ridge Publix Shopping Plaza.
For more information, call 352-404-8809 or visit www.woofgangbakery.com.
