Help Save The Paw Pad

On behalf of The Paw Pad team, I have disappointing news about the business. Thursday Oct 19th, I was notified I could no longer operate until I paid the money owed – triggered by slower-than-anticipated growth and emerging economic constraints, causing our rental overhead and interest rates to become a financial barrier.

UPDATE AS OF SUNDAY EVENING OCTOBER 22, 2023 

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible outpouring of support, kind words, and encouragement over the past 48 hours. As of this Sunday evening, we are deeply

moved to report that we are inching closer to our goal, with funds reaching almost $13,000.

Here's the plan we are diligently working on: We've now determined the precise amount we need to raise, which is $47,969. This figure represents the accumulated past rent owed to our landlord, primarily from our challenging first year of operation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Since Friday, we've been discussing with our landlord to find a reasonable resolution.

1. We have until this Wednesday, October 25, 2023, to come up with the first $24,000 owed. Failure to do so would result in us being locked out and relinquishing possession of our space.

2. We also have an additional 30 days, until Nov 24th, to gather the remaining $23,969.

Should we manage to meet these obligations, our landlord has kindly committed to making adjustments to our space. This, in turn, will significantly reduce the square footage of our rentable area, effectively halving our current rent.

Our immediate goal is to raise a minimum of $24,000 by Wednesday, October 25th, to fulfill the first requirement set by our landlord. We hold hope that, with the continued support of our wonderful community and local businesses, we can reach this target.

Furthermore, we're eager to establish a solid plan for the remaining $23,969 before Wednesday to honor all of you

who have rallied behind The Paw Pad.

We want you to know that we have a clear path forward if

we can successfully overcome this challenge. We are heartbroken and are reaching out to our beloved community for your support.

If you have any suggestions, can offer support, or in some

way show your love to us, it would be greatly appreciated.

Your unwavering support means the world to us, and we're committed to doing everything in our power to ensure The Paw Pad continues to be a part of the Timberlea community. Please reach your paws out to us.

Our Story:

I opened The Paw Pad in February 202 and it was a dream come true. I had an outpouring support from family, friends, and new business relationships I had made along the way. Over the years my career has always been animal care and support driven. After becoming a veterinary assistant in 2000, I worked in many veterinary clinics in HRM. My career came full circle when I had the incredible experience of teaching a veterinary assistant program for six years. I was heartbroken to lose a job I had poured so much of myself into. I cared for my students and taught them much more than any textbook could.

The Paw Pad was born in our kitchen, beginning as a white board at our dining room table where my family and I brainstormed ideas about what would be special and set us apart from other similar businesses. That whiteboard turned my lifelong dream into reality. Being accepted as a CEEDling, I built my business plan, found the space, pulled the funds together, designed The Paw Pad from the ground up, with lots of hard work, and determination. The finishing touches were set, the doors opened, and I was over the moon. One of my proudest moments was the ‘first post’ on Facebook. Finding the perfect Paw Pad family made the dream come alive: Victoria, Vescinda, Amy, Lexie, Tim, Ashley, and Leigh Ann. Along with incredible youth volunteers; Angel, Arrow, Brooklyn, and Lauren.

About The Paw Pad

Opening The Paw Pad was important to everyone. We wanted a safe, fun, happy, and caring place for pups in our community. Taking all our wellness knowledge and combining it with enrichment, was a huge driving force for us. A place where dogs can be dogs. Social, physical, and mental enrichment activities is what sets us apart. Especially the pups’ favourite, sniffari time. Nap time is also a fan favourite! We love your dogs like our own. They make us smile, make us laugh, bark with us, and make us feel special when we enter the room or when they bust into lobby and pull towards us. We truly care for every dog that we are lucky enough to love at The Paw Pad. We pride ourselves at being open with owners on how their dog’s day was, who their friends are, what they loved, and what challenges they had. Offering support and guidance. Our recovery suites are a special place for pups to rest and recover if you have to work, or be away from home after a vet visit, or surgery. We enjoy making your pups feel great after a haircut, bath, pedicure, or brush out. Along with Saturday Socials, Puzzle Classes, Puppy Classes, Therapy Dog Assessments, Birthday Parties, local retail, and so many fun treats like our famous charcuteries and pup cups. These are all things that make us the business we are. We love to show clients everyday what their pups are up to on our social channels. From our “good morning” story, to our birthday songs, spa and daycare collages, to our evening reels, we enjoy seeing all the likes and comments from our pet parents.

We sincerely appreciate your kindness and support as we navigate this challenging time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Jules & The Paw Pad Team