BUSINESS

A 

new dog grooming 
service funded in 
part by Hebrew Free 
Loan opened its doors to dog 
parents late last year.
Scenthound, located 
in Birmingham Plaza in 
Birmingham, is a newer, 
wellness-focused dog care 
franchise that offers afford-
able grooming services and 
membership packages.

Opened by dog parents 
and Temple Israel members 
Adam and Melissa Neff, 36, 
of Berkley, the business aims 
to take dog care back to the 
basics and focus on health, 
hygiene and wellness rather 
than the traditional “spa-like” 
dog grooming experience.

A WELLNESS LIFESTYLE
The “scent” in Scenthound — 

which stands for skin, coat, 
ears, nails and teeth — will 
be the primary focus of most 
grooming services offered by 
the Birmingham business.
“We want dogs to be 
healthy,” Adam Neff explains. 
He shares that one aspect that 
sets Scenthound apart from 
other grooming services is its 
custom care approach, which 
includes progress reports for 

dog parents with suggestions 
for what wellness services are 
important and why. “We want 
dogs to be comfortable, safe 
and clean.”
Through this process of 
education, Neff says that 
Scenthound ultimately aims 
to help dogs live “better, 
healthier lives.” For example, 
potentially dangerous condi-
tions like plaque, which could 
lead to gingivitis down the 
line, will be pointed out to 
dog parents if found.
Melissa Neff echoes that 
Scenthound helps fill a gap in 
the market, serving as a mid-
dle ground in between visit-
ing a vet for hygienic care or 
going to a high-end grooming 
salon, both of which can easi-
ly cost dog parents significant 

Bringing Dog Care 
Back to the Basics

44 | MARCH 14 • 2024 
J
N

Hebrew Free Loan helps fund new 
Birmingham grooming service.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Scenthound’s goal is to help dogs lead healthier lives.

