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The Bay View Dog Park, located at E. Lincoln Ave. and South Bay St., has been an off-leash haven for pooches since 2014. Across the street, Urban Bay View has been a beer-and-cocktail haven for pooch owners (and non-pooch owners) since 2016. Put the two together, and you get Dirty Paws Pet Wash, a pet washing station that opened up outside of Urban this past spring. The dog days of summer are suddenly a whole lot cleaner.
Dirty Paws is owned and operated by Yari Rosa, who came up with the idea when she was unable to find a pet wash for her dog Sam. After a year of research, Rosa purchased a dog wash machine and, with the blessing of Urban’s Paul Jonas, installed it on the north side of the popular Bay View bar. Rosa says her setup is the first of its kind in the city, and is fully licensed.
“I saw this as a need not only for myself, but for other pet parents in the Bay View area who want to quickly and conveniently wash their pet,” Rosa says.
Helping Rosa with Dirty Paws is a cast of supportive family and friends, including her daughter Lily, Funky Fresh Spring Rolls owner Trueman McGee, and friend Rachel Taylor. Rosa and Taylor met during their MBA studies at Alverno College in 2012.
Rosa stresses that Dirty Paws is not a grooming service, but rather a quick, car-wash-style shower for grubby pups. Ten dollars will get your pet a choice of shampoos (including Oatmeal and tear-less shampoos), conditioners, flea and tick treatments, and deodorizers, as well as an air-recirculating dryer. Both cash and credit cards are accepted.
Rosa and Taylor say that dog owners from as far away as Wauwatosa have come to the Bay View business to wash their dogs. Following that success, Rosa is planning to open a second location soon.
