New pet rescue, grooming business coming to Parks Township

Amber Sowers said her lifelong love of animals spurred her to start her own dog grooming and animal rescue business.

“As long as I’m saving animals, that’s all I care about,” said Amber Sowers, a veterinary technician at Golden Mile Animal Clinic who plans to have a grand opening for her business, Champion’s Crusaiders in Parks Township, on Sept. 12.

It’s the latest chapter in her long history of working with animals. While she’s a vet tech most days, Sowers started Charlee Jai Pet Salon in June, traveling to clients’ homes on her days off to provide grooming services. She had previously worked for a year and a half at Vandergrift’s nonprofit dog rescue, Tiny Cause, where Sowers said she built up a strong client base.

For Sowers, the grooming aspect of pet care has always provided some relief to the more difficult responsibilities of veterinary work.

“In animal medicine, you deal with a lot of sick animals and they can’t tell you what’s wrong,” she said.

After a while, that can weigh heavily on technicians. Every animal euthanized feels like losing one of your own, Sowers said. Grooming helps her work with animals and avoid the feeling of “compassion fatigue.”

Sowers said she wanted to combine her experiences and broad knowledge of pet medicine and grooming, which is what led to her seek out a physical location and start Champion’s Crusaiders as a rescue. Champion’s Crusaiders and Charlee Jai Pet Salon, though separate businesses, will both be housed in the rescue’s building on River Road, which has a Vandergrift mailing address.

Sowers said she wants to create a safe place where people can drop off pets they are unable to care for, ask questions and find information about pet care.

“I just want people from the area to have that resource,” Sowers said. “My only care is for the animals.”

Each animal that goes through the rescue will receive vaccinations and be spayed or neutered if it’s the right age.

It’s a sentimental project for Sowers. The names of both businesses were derived from pets that Sowers or her family lost during her lifetime (a dog, Champion, and cats Crusaider and Charlee Jai). Even the building, Sowers said, is significant. Her aunt — who she said inspired her love of animals to begin with — used to work as a veterinarian in the same location.

Champion’s Crusaiders will host a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 at 2687 River Road. Food will be served, and Sowers will be offering free nail trimmings for any pets whose owner brings them along.