Aug 5, 2026 | Non-Profit, Pet
Sue, tell us about the Marblehead Animal Shelter and the types of pets you help find forever homes. The Marblehead Animal Shelter has been caring for homeless animals for over 30 years. The Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals (F.O.M.A.A.) is the 501c3 all-volunteer organization that staffs the cleaning, feeding and adoption shifts and fundraises to support the care of the shelter animals. The vast majority of pets that are rescued are cats. However, there are times when a dog needs to be re-homed or every once in a while, a rabbit, hamster or bird will be surrendered.
How can the community help support the Marblehead Animal Shelter? There’s always been strong support from our community, which includes Marblehead, the surrounding towns and the people who adopt from the Marblehead Animal Shelter, who live outside the Northshore. The easiest way to help is to share our social media posts (Facebook, Instagram) to help our shelter residents gain more views and to attend or spread the word about our events.
In the colder months, donations of towels, facecloths and pillowcases are appreciated; in the warmer months we usually have more than enough. If someone has a few hours a week to volunteer their time, they can fill out a volunteer application online or stop by during adoption hours. Additionally, there are times when foster homes are needed – especially in the Spring, there are mother cats with litters of kittens that need a couple of months. If someone has a quiet space in their home, and can make sure the kittens are gaining weight while nursing & then eating on their own, this is extremely helpful to keep the new family healthy until they are old enough to get adopted. Food & litter can be provided for fostering.
Donations to pay for veterinary care, food and litter, can be made via the website at marblehead-animal-shelter.org or by dropping off a check (payable to F.O.M.A.A.) at 44 Village St.
What is your role with the Shelter, and how did you get involved? I’m a volunteer that covers a feeding shift one morning a week, an adoption shift one day a month and I work with a small team on planning events/fundraisers. When I first started volunteering, I worked a couple of cleaning shifts a week. I signed up to volunteer in March 2000 when I was looking for an opportunity to do volunteering or interning at a local animal hospital and they directed me to check with the Marblehead Animal Shelter. I’ve been volunteering ever since.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since working with the Animal Shelter? Volunteering at the shelter has provided me the opportunity to help make a difference by helping to care for homeless pets, which in turn, helps people. People contact the shelter, inquiring about adoption, as well as surrendering and helping injured animals. the shelter volunteers are involved daily with the community and animal control personnel. I’ve made long lasting friendships, which have made Marblehead a home for more than 25 years.
What do you love most about Marblehead and its community? There is an abundance of people willing to pitch-in and assist, when you ask. The network of friendships and supporters is what is at the core of a community and this community truly is the reason we can find help to save so many local animals.
Marblehead Animal Shelter
Sue MacInnis, Volunteer
44 Village St, Marblehead
marblehead-animal-shelter.org
Feb 4, 2026 | Businesses, Pet
Tell us about Tranquil Transitions, why you started it and how you help your clients. Saying good-bye to our four legged loved ones is truly the hardest part of sharing our lives with them. I founded Tranquil Transitions to offer in-home pet euthanasia, aiming to make this experience as comfortable as possible for pets and their owners. The creation of Tranquil Transitions came about after a very personal experience with our first dog, and the love of our life, Brickely. Over the years I have helped many pets pass both in the clinic setting and in their homes. While I have always known the profound importance of a calm transition I didn’t realize the enormity of the experience until we were faced with the decision for Brickley.
By the time we had reached the end, Brickley was quite painful, anxious, and had mobility issues. When we finally made the decision we were fortunate that my colleague was able to come to our house. The process of getting him into the car and to a place that caused him stress would have been an emotional and physical challenge. In addition, the sense of grief we felt following his passing was staggering, and being in our own environment, with our kids nearby, was a huge comfort. After this experience, a good friend called me asking for assistance with their dog, however, due to license restrictions, I wasn’t able to help. I realized that I wanted to be able to support my friends and our community through this difficult time. Months later, Tranquil Transitions was born.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Do what you love, do it passionately, and happiness and success will follow.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? It is tough to pick just one, but I think I would choose Crocker Park, as we spend so many hours there looking out over the harbor while our kids play behind us. It’s a place that reminds me how fortunate we are to live in a town that has such natural beauty, a love for the ocean and a sense of community and celebration.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? When I lived in California I used to avoid the cold at all costs and complained about it endlessly. Now I’m obsessed with jumping into the ocean every week for a cold dip. The colder the better.
For More Information:
Tranquil Transitions
Lindsey Rynk, Veterinarian/Owner
[email protected], (978) 219-7089
Tranquil-Transitions.net
Aug 19, 2024 | Businesses, Pet
The following is an interview with Emily Spell, co-owner of Marblehead Mutts. Marblehead Mutts opened their doors on August 5, 2024, at 35 Tioga Way in Marblehead. They offer a variety of services to meet the needs of every dog and owner including all day socialization, enrichment and training.
Tell us about Marblehead Mutts and why you started it. I’ve been in animal health for over 20 years and loved every minute. Now that I have a family, an active adorable 2-year-old and 3 awesome stepchildren, I started to consider opportunities closer to home. I know so many people who are driving their precious furry family members several towns away because there is simply not enough space to meet the demands, so Hannah and I started discussing the possibilities and looking for available space. Hannah saw the listing for our current location at 35 Tioga Way and we jumped at the opportunity. We’ve made the commitment at Marblehead Mutts to be a training and enrichment center for your pampered pooch. It’s our goal that your dog goes home tuckered out from a full active day of play but also learn basic training and socialization skills with our trained staff, enrichment puzzles and obstacle courses.
Marblehead Mutts has 5500 square feet of indoor play space, as well as 2000 square feet of fenced outdoor play space. We would love for you to visit us. Stop by our Open House on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 12:00pm – 4:00pm with the whole family. It will be a fun day with Mad-Dogz hot dog cart serving lunch, a bounce house for the kids and our staff on hand to play with your pooch.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? My parents have always worked for themselves, so I grew up sitting around the family dinner table talking about business. What I’ve learned from their success is that you must always be present in your business, never ask your staff to do something you wouldn’t do yourself and strive to be consistent.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I had the pleasure of living in the Barnegat neighborhood for a long time. My best moments were waking up early on summer mornings and paddling out to Brown’s Island with my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Charlie. It’s magical down there when the water is calm, and you get to enjoy the island all to yourself – it’s worth the early wake-up.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? My family is originally from the North Shore, but we moved away when I was 10 years old. I was raised in the Virgin Islands and still have deep connections to St. Thomas. My work brought me back to this area and I could not be happier living in our beautiful seaside town.
Marblehead Mutts
Owners: Emily Spell and Hannah Fuccione
35 Tioga Way, Marblehead and (781) 476-6059
MarbleheadMutts.com
Jun 3, 2023 | Pet
Tell us about Goodness Gracious and why you started it. Goodness Gracious is as much a company as it is a spirit. Its mission is to provide human grade, nutritionally superior, whole food diets for pets in a way that improves our connection to the planet and each other. To do that, it uses mindfully sourced ingredients; green-energy on a path to net zero; less plastic, zero Styrofoam and more compostable materials; a vibrant culture of inclusion that celebrates diversity; and a charitable give-back to community animal causes amounting to half its profits.
Goodness Gracious was a right turn for me. In 2007, I was running a small software company. I adopted my first dog, Grace, and then my second, Lula. Like most new Moms I became committed to the health of my girls. I discovered the ugly truth of what passes for pet food and the unconscionable corporate choices to put profit over safety. A powerful example of this truth occurred that year when melamine was found in pet foods – sickening and killing thousands. This was followed by problems with jerky treats that put dogs into kidney failure; and later by workers at a large pet food plant becoming sick from toxic exposure to mold and fumigants. Overwhelmed with distrust of commercial pet food, I started preparing my dogs’ food at home. Along the way, I learned that 3 – 5 million homeless dogs were euthanized annually in the U.S. because people fail them. When I turned 40 in 2009, I started asking myself, “who are you helping?” I was building shareholder value and providing leadership at the software company, but those answers were not enough. I envisioned a planet with thriving companion animals, homes for the homeless ones, and respect for all beings, so I built a company committed to that purpose. Goodness Gracious became my passion and purpose, a warm blanket for my spirit and thousands of animals, and the right turn that was 100% right.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? I’ve had a few amazing mentors who have taught me about the power of connection, courage, and commitment. I cannot single out any one piece of advice as the all-time best. Instead, I’ll say that recognizing that one’s teachers are everywhere, and that everything is a lesson, is incredibly powerful. For example, loss teaches us to live presently. Fear shows us our courage and inner strength. From the uncontrollable we learn to be disciplined. Setbacks and disappointment teach us endurance and fulfillment.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I love many spots in Marblehead. My favorites are those I can enjoy with my family. My kids are canine. I have outlived three of them. Odds are, I will outlive three more. Grief teaches us about time. There is no greater gift than time with those you love. So, we seek out quiet, peaceful places. For us, these are the trails in Marblehead’s conservation lands. It’s here that the world melts away. We stop to sniff the flowers, explore the critter holes, listen to birds and streams, and be filled with the presence of each other.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I love to coach. I enjoy helping people make good dietary choices for their pets that have a positive impact on their pets’ healthspan and lifespan. Studies show that dogs are living shorter lives. Nearly 60% of them are fat and chronic disease is on the rise. Dogs are five times more likely than humans to get cancer according to leading integrative veterinary oncologists. Problems in the pet food industry are largely to blame. Connecting with people on these truths and how to make better choices is powerful for them and enriching for me.
What’s next for Goodness Gracious? I’m thrilled to be one of eight women hosting an event at the Jacobi Community Center on June 10 that shines a light on these issues and shares practical advice for building a better pet food bowl. We’re also covering canine first aid and CPR, and good training practices for mental enrichment. Net proceeds from the event benefit local animal rescue groups. For me, this event brings many of my passions together for one amazing purpose: more time with the companion animals at the center of our hearts. You can read more and register for this event at http://goodnessgracioustreats.com/pages/events
For More Information:
Goodness Gracious
Amy Renz
www.goodnessgraciousdogtreats.com
Dec 21, 2022 | Businesses, Community, Pet, Shopping
Tell us about Creature Comforts & Pawsitively Marblehead. Creature Comforts & Pawsitively Marblehead (CCPAWS) are businesses that are centered around your pets! Creature Comforts is our pet service side of the business, which includes our doggy daycare (and adorable dog buses!), dog walking and in-home pet care services – where we’ve cared for everything from cats to bearded dragons to chickens!
Pawsitively Marblehead is our boutique shop, located on Atlantic Ave, that features toys, accessories, and gifts for the pets and pet lovers in your life! We focus on carrying quality, local brands that you wouldn’t typically find in larger chain pet stores and we love collaborating with other local businesses to create unique pet products.
Both businesses were started by Brooks and Ned Williams over 20 years ago, and James and I happily took over the reins (or leashes in this case!) from them in 2019. As an employee of theirs for 7 years before this transition, I knew many aspects of the business already, but it has certainly been quite a learning experience to be on the owner’s side of things now. We love working directly with the animals we take care of, as well as with our customers and clients to figure out the best products to help enrich the lives of their pets…and getting to drive a dog bus now and then isn’t a bad way to spend the day either!
What is the best piece of business advice you ever received? The most important piece of business knowledge that I’ve received is how important it is to have reliable staff – they truly are the core of our business and we wouldn’t be able to do what we did without them. When dealing with people’s pets, it really is like dealing with a member of their family, so being able to trust and rely on our staff is critical. This was especially important when James and I welcomed our son Everett last year – we relied heavily on our manager Amy and the rest of our staff to hold down the fort as we adapted to life as first time parents. We are so thankful for our awesome team and their never-ending enthusiasm for the animals we care for!
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead? James and I can both say hands down that our favorite spot in Marblehead is Chandler Hovey Park. We just love everything about the lighthouse, and actually have quite the collection of different photos, paintings, and trinkets of it around our house … so much so, that we often joke that we live in the Marblehead Museum! I grew up sailing from Marblehead along the Maine coast and have always appreciated how different and unique our lighthouse is compared to the traditional white lighthouses you see in most places.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? You may already know that prior to owning CCPAWS, I worked at the New England Aquarium for 10 years in both the Rescue & Rehab Department and the Marine Mammal Training Department, but what you may not know is that part of my job in the Rescue Department was driving an ambulance (yes, an actual medical ambulance!) that we had outfitted to respond to animals including sea turtles, seals, and stranded dolphins and whales. And I have to say, driving a dog bus is actually easier…go figure!
For More Information:
Creature Comforts & Pawsitively Marblehead (CCPAWS)
Erin & James McCarthy
52B Atlantic Ave, Marblehead
781-639-0449
www.ccpaws.com
Aug 14, 2020 | Businesses, Community, Pet
Tell us about your Hound Around, LLC. Hound Around, LLC provides an assortment of things for your dog. We offer in-home overnight pet care, daily walks as needed, and our Hound Crew Doggy Day Trips, which are weekday hikes at various locations on the North Shore. Your dog will have the opportunity to make friends, learn to walk in a cohesive group, and achieve excellent health with good exercise. We are happy to also announce the newest addition to our business, our Hound Around Doggy Bags which are a monthly subscription bag that include a variety of treats, toys and so much more.
What made you decide to start your business? We love dogs! When we were discussing our business, I was completing my undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Salem State University and just walking dogs on the side, and my boyfriend, and now co-owner of Hound Around LLC, was working as a landscaper. We decided to create a business where we could live a healthy lifestyle, do what we enjoy doing most, and provide Doggy Day Trips for our beloved dogs on the North Shore.
What do you love most about Marblehead? I have been blessed to grow up in Marblehead, and I love the peace of the ocean and my close nurturing community. I started out as a babysitter and a dog walker for many families growing up, and so they know me, and my family. This is a solid foundation in which to start a business, I have the respect, kindness and word of mouth from those that know me well.
What hobbies and interests do you have? I enjoy scrapbooking, networking and problem solving. I love sunshine and beaches. I love traveling; I have had the good fortune to see and learn about Italy, Ireland, Hawaii, Arizona, Virginia, a twenty-day road trip from Northern CA to Southern CA, and Israel. I still have Iceland on the list for my next adventure!
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