Dog-washing service comes to Vermilion

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — What began as a simple need for storage turned into a practical new service for local pet owners. Vermilion resident Gerry Anderson, who lives in the Edison Estates neighborhood, recently opened Wash Your Paws at 435 Overlook Road. The self-serve pet wash is tucked in front of a newly built garage near the lake. And it offers a low-hassle way to get dogs cleaned up. "I originally just needed a place to store my stuff," Anderson said. "But I knew if I bought the commercial property, I'd need to do something active with it. I'd seen this type of pet wash before, and with the traffic on Overlook, it seemed like a good fit." There's also a car detailing operation on-site, but it's the pet wash that's drawing the most attention from passersby. Anderson retired about two and a half years ago. He laughed as he explained how the idea evolved: "Now I've given myself a job again." The building needed some unexpected work. The floor had to be raised three feet, and drainage installed to prevent future flooding. "It was a surprise, but I didn't want to deal with problems down the road," he said. "Now it's built for a 100-year storm." Inside, the wash station is secure, clean, and easy to use. For $15, customers get 20 minutes of grooming time. The system includes shampoo, conditioner, flea and tick rinse, deodorizer, rinse, vacuum, blow dryer and a disinfectant cycle to clean the space for the next pet. There's no weight limit, and larger dogs can stay on the floor while smaller breeds can use the built-in step-up platforms. Payments are card-only, and posted instructions guide users through the process. It's designed to be quick, efficient, and accessible any day of the week. Out front, an American flag waves alongside a Cleveland Cavaliers flag — soon to be replaced with a Cleveland Guardians one, Anderson noted. Though there's no website or official social media yet, word is spreading fast through local Facebook groups and neighborhood talk. "I've been blue collar my whole life," he said. "Now I'm learning how to run a little business. It's all new, but it feels good." Wash Your Paws is open daily. No appointments needed.