About Us

Where cats and dogs are family too!

Welcome to Puppers & Hairballs. We are a natural holistic pet store that believes the type of food and treats you give your dog or cat can affect his or her health and their longevity of life; which is why we opened our store. We carry wet, dry, freeze-dried, frozen raw and frozen semi-cooked foods for dogs & cats. We have a whole wall of exciting but healthy treats as well as ample toys for your furry friends. We carry a variety of other products as well, ranging from shampoos to natural supplements and health related items.

Sebring Store

Lake Placid Store

Our Story

Dennis and Kristyn have been friends for a number of years. Both are from the Miami area and Dennis has had a house in Lake Placid FL for 18 years. While away on a trip in the Georgia mountains they happened to go into a natural pet store to buy treats and toys for their rescue dog Cheyenne and their cat Twinkie. During that visit they came up with the idea that Highlands County needed a natural pet store. The wanted natural good food and treats for their pets and did not want to drive an hour away to get them. They also want to give back to the community by working with the local shelters as they are now in the situation to do this. That started the yearlong process of taking a building that was vacant for 10 years and turning it into what is now Puppers & Hairballs. At this time, they have two dogs and three (sometimes four)cats between them, but always on the lookout for more.

Dennis grew up in Tennessee and moved to the Miami area in 1997 for work. He has a computer science degree from Austin Peay State University and has been a computer programmer and consultant for the last 30 years. Dennis retired in 2020 from a long career in IT at a major healthcare company and moved to Lake Placid full-time. When he is not working at the pet store you can find him on the lake or up in the mountains of Georgia. He is an avid hiker and has hiked the majority of the national parks.

Kristyn has spent the past 10 years in the world of Fundraising and Non-Profits working as the director of Development for various organizations. She is originally from Miami Florida and has a degree in Environmental Studies from Wofford College. Early in her life she worked at a zoo in Charleston, SC, and said it was the most rewarding and fun job she ever had until we opened Puppers & Hairballs. Kristyn has always been a lover of animals and although she loves all animals, cats have always been her favorite. Aside from animals, Kristyn has a passion for travel and does so whenever she can. Most recently she and her mom just got back from two weeks in South Africa!

Meet the Team

Kristyn Schwartz

Owner

Kristyn has spent the past 10 years in the world of Fundraising and Non-Profits working as the Director of Development for various organizations. She is from Miami Florida and has a degree in Environmental Studies from Wofford College. Early in her life she worked at a zoo in Charleston, SC, and said it was the most rewarding and fun job she ever had. Kristyn has always been a lover of animals and although she loves all animals, cats have always been her passion.

Dennis Gingrich

Owner

Dennis is recently retired from a career as an IT developer/manager at a major Health care company. His love of animals especially dogs led him to start this new career as an owner of a Pet store. He practices a healthy lifestyle and believes the same should hold for animals. When he is not hiking in one of the national parks, or hanging out around the lake you will find him at the Pet store.

Nancy Schwartz

Head of Community Relations

Lisa Wright

Head Groomer

Wendy Nemec

Groomer

Mango

Part Timer Stocker

Cooper

CFO - Chief Food Officer

Cooper is in charge of evaluating all of our food items. There is nothing he does. not like. Currently he is on Fromm Kibble with a little goat milk or broth on top. We then top it off with a little Small Batch raw or lightly cooked My Perfect Pet or A Pup Above

Cheyenne

CTO - Chief Toy Officer

Cheyenne was adopted through a shelter in the Georgia mountains. She loves to test out all the new toys and can normally destroy most toys in a matter of minutes. Especially the ones with foam and squeakers. So far the Benebone, bully sticks, ropes and Kongs give her a run.

Twinkie

CLO - Chief Litter Officer

Twinkie is a very easy going cat and is in charge of evaluating our litter. He is looking for litter with little dust and good clumping. Currently he likes Dr. Elsy and Sustainably Yours.

Pants

Head of Security

Toffee

CNO - Chief Napping Officer

Gus Gus

CTT - Chief Treat Taster

Gus Gus the lake swimming, bar hopping cat loves treats. You can always find him in the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning waiting for someone to get up. if not in the kitchen he comes running when he hears the treat jar being opened.