Wylders Holistic Pet Center to Open in Studio City

A Studio City animal advocate is embarking on her second journey on dog rescue and education, planning the opening of Wylders Holistic Pet Center at 11948 Ventura Blvd. on Feb. 1.

Founder Melissa R. Bacelar, who also founded Lucky Puppy Rescue and Retail in Studio City, opens Wylders as a non-profit dedicated to shelter dogs and programs that will teach local kids how to train and interact with animals.

"What truly excites me about this shop is educating people on dog health, their needs, personalities and of course the importance of dog rescue," Bacelar tells Patch. "Our programming is being developed to build confidence in children and dogs and will teach important lessons in socialization and responsibility."

When moving to L.A. 10 years ago, she did not know what happened in animal shelters or even what a "kill shelter" was, but opted to begin fostering dogs one at a time and find them homes. Bacelar says she's been an animal advocate since birth, rescuing ducks, rabbits, goats and, of course, dogs, every chance she got. She's worked as an animal communicator and behaviorist for the last seven years.

In 2009, Bacelar started The Poopie Foundation, found other foster charities and began doing adoption events at Maxwell Dog, also based in Studio City.

"My vision was always to have a place where I could house many dogs and educate the community, and especially children, on the importance of rescue in a fun, friendly environment," she said, adding that it justified opening a humane store in Lucky Puppy in 2012. "Parents don't want to bring their children to a shelter where the dogs can often be in terrible condition. If shelters are scary to me as an adult imagine the impact they can have on a child."

Bacelar said she was pregnant at the time she helped open Lucky Puppy, and when her son Wylder came along in April 2012, she had to take a step back.

Members of Wylders will need to go through free training programs before they can work with the shelter dogs.

"I feel this will help the kids, parents and dogs be socialized properly and it will help the dogs get ready for their new homes," Bacelar said.

Wylders Holistic Pet Center will be offering products and services, such as pet communication, essential oils perfect for dogs, holistic herbs and the Wylders "Super Hero" program for kids. Bacelar adds that all of her products will be organic and have eco-friendly packaging.

Bacelar adds that she hopes to open centers like these in other areas that have dog overpopulation issues and wants to help make California a no kill state.

Once it goes live, Wylders' website will be www.WyldersHolisticPetCenter.com. For now, visit its Facebook page.