Seven out of 10 American households own pets, generally cats and dogs. This has created a huge pet care industry and unlimited opportunity for creative, animal-loving entrepreneurs. It has also led to an unfortunate side-effect: little-loved animals, particularly cats, wandering our streets.

cats (and dogs) Angela Schifani

Angela Schifani is Development Director of Cat Haven, a non-profit cat rescue organization that was founded in 1999 in response to a community need for comprehensive rescue, foster, and adoption services for cats and kittens in Baton Rouge. When Cat Haven began, it was the first rescue organization to spay and neuter pets before adopting them to new homes. Today, it continues this practice and partners with local spay/neuter programs to ensure population control and quality of life for both animals and people in this city. Since its inception, Cat Haven has saved more than 12,000 cats and kittens.

Cats and dogs Amanda Floyd

Amanda Floyd focuses on pets who have a secure home. Amanda is owner and manager of The Royal Treatment, a high-end boarding and day spa for dogs and cats. Royal Treatment occupies an impressive 7,000-square-foot space on Lee Drive in Baton Rouge where they offers their pet guests private suites, condos or even a luxury unit, tricked out with chandeliers and two-way monitors to enable constant contact between owner and pet.

Amanda Floyd, Angela Schifani, Stephanie Riegel

Photos over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard  by Karry Hosford. More conversations about Baton Rouge pets here.