Our pets have become such a part of our lives, it’s natural that we’d want to include them on the biggest day of our lives.
According to Newsweek, a quarter of engaged couples want their dogs to play a role in their wedding: More than half plan to use them as ring bearers, 34 percent want to walk down the aisle with them, and 17 percent plant to include them in their first dance.
But the logistics of including pets at a wedding – an already frenzied day – can become overwhelming. Ilana Karcinski and Kelly Nova saw an untapped part of the wedding market when they realized they could create a business from handling such details for couples.
So the former college roommates and best friends founded Fairy Tail Pet Care in 2015 to provide wedding day pet care in Tampa Bay, Florida.
A natural progression
Karcinski and Nova have always loved animals and volunteered at their local animal shelters, they told Newsweek, so after their business took off, they began looking for ways to incorporate adoptable pets as part of weddings they handled.
“We coordinate with the couple and the shelter to include four to five adoptable puppies or kittens in their special day,” Karcinski told Newsweek.
“A lot of times, couples will choose to have adoptable puppies carried down the aisle by the wedding party instead of flowers,” Nova told The Washington Post.
Jenn and Jeff Karstens told the paper that all five of the Humane Society puppies brought to their May 2021 Tampa wedding found homes.
“Everyone at the wedding couldn’t get enough of the puppies,” Jenn said.
Jillian and Parker DeKorte of Largo, Florida, helped three puppies at their weddings find new homes.
“We couldn’t imagine a better way to share our love,” she told The Post.
@fairytail_petcare WAIT FOR IT 😱 This is literally what dreams are made of 😻💍 #cat #catsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #kitten #kittensoftiktok #rescue #rescuecat #wedding #weddingtiktok #weddingday #weddingpetcare #fyp #foryou ♬ What Dreams Are Made Of – Hilary Duff
Latest twist
Cassie and Jonathon Roth took the idea a step further in December, with Cassie tossing a stuffed cat to her bridesmaids instead of a bouquet. The “winner” was able to select one of five adoptable kittens at the wedding (after suitable vetting by the Humane Society the next day). Two other kittens were also adopted at the event.
Social media also loved the cat toss, logging over four million views on TikTok.
The Roths are thrilled with the response.
“If it inspires somebody else to do the same thing and saves a cat’s life, I’m all for it,” Cassie told The Post.
Whether you’re holding a traditional wedding or want pets at your big day, you won’t find a more unique wedding venue than the beautiful Historic Alfred I. duPont Building in downtown Miami. Contact us for details.