A Safe Haven For Cats & Dogs, Coming Downtown

Written by Amanda Buchman

For as long as she can remember, Monique Gillespie has been surrounded by animals. Her mom made sure their house was home to every kind of pet, from cats and dogs to frogs and birds. “You name it, we had it,” Monique says. 

But at the heart of the family was their Shar Pei, Keeta. Though the dog had numerous health issues toward the end of her life, her family was fortunate enough to be able to give her a high quality of life through excellent care. After Keeta passed away, Monique and her family still had a strong desire to take care of animals, whether they were their own or someone else’s. This true love inspired their family business, Keeta’s Pet Salon. 

Named, of course, for their beloved pet, Keeta’s Pet Salon is a haven for dogs and cats of all shapes, sizes, and personalities, located in Squirrel Hill and soon, Liberty Ave downtown. Monique owns the salon along with her mom, Paulette Flowers, and her daughter Lena, but she says the business is really Keeta’s. A perfect tribute to the family’s muse, the salon ensures that “someone is speaking her name every single day.”

Photo courtesy of Monique Gillespie.

Aside from the three owners, the staff is like a family, mostly made up of people who have been working there for a long time. A key aspect of their success is familiarity—pets that come in get to know one groomer, who they get one-on-one care from, over a long period of time. 

After taking her dog into a coffee shop, one customer messaged Monique about seeing their groomer there. The dog saw the groomer before its owner did, and began fervently wagging its tail. At that moment, this pet parent knew she was taking her dog to the right place. 

At Keeta’s Pet Salon, not only do pets get a private groom room, but the same person handles their grooming throughout the entire process. This creates a bonding experience for the pet and groomer, enabling them both to feel safe and comfortable. Around fifteen minutes before they finish up, the pet parent will receive a text to pick up their pet so that they can eliminate the anxiety some animals face when they are forced to wait for a long time. 

“Going to the groomer shouldn’t induce anxiety,” says Monique. “We do what we do because we want to provide excellent care and have pet parents feel safe.” 

Photo courtesy of Monique Gillespie.

Growing up, Monique remembers some of her pets being reactive. She learned that to take proper care of them, you have to meet them where they are. Her and her employees take that same lesson and apply it to grooming, going as slow as they need to for the pet to feel comfortable. While some pets are given medication for anxiety, regulars at the salon have stopped doing this, realizing that their pets do not dread appointments; some even look forward to them.

When it comes to hiring, Monique emphasizes the importance of having a genuine love for animals. “I’m a Libra—I’m good at picking up energy,” she says. “You have to make sure you select good people, not just good skillsets.” Plus, they have to mesh well with the family of caregivers already in place.

Some staff members take their pets into the salon for grooming when they can, as it is an ideal space for animals to undergo the often triggering process. Lena’s cat Sasha, for example, receives only the best care. But right now, Monique only has one pet in her house, and he doesn’t have a reason to come to work with her. Paulo the parrot is fourteen years old, and depending on the day, he calls his Monique either by her first name or “baby.” Oftentimes, he’ll say “give me kiss,” which the self-described “feather mom” is happy to do. 

No matter what, your furry friend will be treated like family at Keeta’s Pet Salon. While she loves the Squirrel Hill community, Monique is excited for the opportunity to expand into the downtown area this November. Their second location will be on Liberty Ave and offer the same full service pet care that Keeta’s will continue to provide in Squirrel Hill.

If you do visit the salon, your pet is guaranteed to receive the best care possible from the Keeta’s family. To them, grooming is about more than just a haircut; it’s about a genuine, caring community of animal lovers.