Scentsational Pets, Northfield salon plan benefit for local animal rescues
After Keeley Kossof gave birth to her son, she lost 90% of her vision.
She had been doing hair and makeup in her father's salon, Teddie Kossof Salon Spa in Northfield, for more than 10 years. While she had to stop working as a stylist, she found another outlet for her talents.
"We were developing an odor-neutralizing product for women who don't wash their hair every day," the Vernon Hills resident said.
That's when it dawned on her: That product could be used on pets.
"Beauty and wellness are not just for people," Kossof said. "So that's how my partner and I started Scentsational Pets."
She was introduced by a mutual to her business partner, fellow animal lover and now good friend, Lori Cooper of Buffalo Grove, and they researched and developed Scentsational Pets, fragrances that are safe for both pets and their humans.
The products, which come in three scents - citrus, lavender and aloe, and rosewater and coconut oil - can be used anywhere, from body to bed, on any animal.
"We did a ton of research on animals and their sense of smell," Kossof said. "These are tested and proven, researched fragrances that are safe and acceptable to animals."
To be clear, these are not perfumes that simply mask odors. They actually neutralize smells. And if you've ever had a wet dog or a cat with some (how do I say this politely?) intestinal distress (?) you know how important it is to get. rid. of. that. smell.
Groomers are big fans, too.
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, international certified Master Groomer and certified canine aesthetician, who owns Love Fur Dogs in Glencoe and is president of the Illinois Professional Pet Groomers Association, is one of Scentsational Pets newest fans and retailers. Scentsational Pets is the first product of its kind that she has endorsed and carried in her store.
"This line respects the incredible sense of smell dogs have and truly works as designed - as an odor neutralizer," Bishop-Jenkins said in a news release. "Perfumes for dogs are unhealthy, and Scentsational Pets is not a perfume. It was created for the animal and then its owner, and it benefits both."
Scentsational pets was launched in February 2020, and we all know what happened right after that: Pandemic.
So Kossof and Cooper are relaunching now, and they're doing it in a way that will help other animals.
Scentsational Pup-a-Palooza runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at Teddie Kossof Salon Spa, 281 Waukegan Road, Northfield, and will benefit Redemption Road Rescue and Reach Rescue.
The event will include booths featuring local small businesses, food from Vienna Beef, Taco Vita in Deerfield, El Tapatio Cafe (making fresh churros!) and the Happy Face ice cream truck, plus shopping, fun hairstyles for kids, music and, most importantly, dog adoptions.
"We love helping people, and we really wanted to do this fundraiser," Kossof said. "But the pet adoptions are really the main thing. We want to help find homes for these little furbabies."
Admission is free for the fundraiser. For details, visit @TeddieKossof on Facebook or call (847) 999-9500.
For information about Scentsational Pets, visit scentsationalpets.com, email info@scentsationalpets.com or call (847) 571-8078.