(This is an updated version of an earlier post.)
KING 5 did a story yesterday on a Whidbey Island company that has made wheelchairs for dogs for 55 years.
About K9 Carts
K9 Carts ships 50-70 dog wheelchairs worldwide every month from its operation in Freeland, WA. Image from K9 Carts.
Barbara Parkes started K9 Carts when she worked as an administrative assistant for a veterinary hospital in Pennsylvania where her ex-husband was one of the first orthopedic veterinarians in the country. She moved the company to Freeland, WA 40 years ago.
K9 Carts was the first company in the US to make wheelchairs for dogs.
Parkes told the Whidbey Island Times that she founded K9 Carts because “there is a time limit for doing back surgeries on animals, particularly dogs. Otherwise, they lose their mobility and have to drag themselves from place to place in a miserable stupor.”
K9 Carts will make wheelchairs for any animal, including sheep, turkeys, and cats, that have ambulatory disabilities.
The company also donates wheelchairs to dog rescues like Valhalla Rescue, which got 3 dog wheelchairs from K9 Carts in 2012.
Although it’s in a small town, K9 Carts is not a small company. It employs 8 people and ships 50-70 wheelchairs per month all over the world.
I had no idea the preeminent manufacturer of doggy wheelchairs was located in Western Washington. I hope to pay them a visit soon and learn more about their operation.
Here’s the story from KING 5:
Our dog has a torn ACL. We saw your article in the Seattle Times just after it happened. I hope you make a Jillion Dollars with you product!
Rod Sampson
I just wrote about it, I down own the company, but I agree!
My 10 year-old corgi Mugsy was suffering from Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). His back legs stopped working. We ordered a cart and it was ready within 48 hours. We took him up to see Barbara and her staff at K9 Carts. Everyone was wonderful and the cart was a wonderful device that let Mugsy continue his daily walks through the wooded park next to our house. In the months that followed the DM progressed and eventually caused the his front legs to weaken. Barbara and staff were most helpful in making adjustments that allowed him to contiue his activities for two and a half years. The cart was a blessing and kept him going until the end.
Great news thank you for letting me know!
The first k-9 charts were first developed by a veterinarian orthopedic surgeon in Oxford Maryland.
Correct- Barbara Parkes did not start K9 Carts. Lincoln Parkes started K9 Carts and his ex-wife, Natalie Parkes ran the business from their barn in Berwyn, PA. When Barbara Parkes married Lincoln Parkes, she ran the day-to-day operations. But Barbara Parkes neither started the company nor owns the patent for the design.
How much does it cost and can u make one ft or my 100 bit bull she a love but her back legs won’t work I will come to u if u can help her cause she killing my back don’t want to put her down yet she not ready yet please give me a call at 3608011378
You should contact the company directly about pricing. Hope they can help!
We’d like to speak to you about some help for our Chihuahua who needs a wheelchair. Thank you. We are located in Wenatchee WA
I don’t know much other than what is in the article but you can email me at info@seattledogspot.com
I would like to order a wheel chair for my dog. How can I do this? Send measurements or bring dog to you?
Hi – I just wrote the story. You should contact the company directly if you have questions. Thanks!
My sheltie Jen had a tumor in her spine, surgery left her back legs paralysed. The K9 people fashioned her a 2 wheel cart, which got her up and running in about 5 minutes! She rejoined her buddies at the lake, both on the paths, and in the water. We never did thank them for a wonderful more than 2 years, so thankyou now, from Vancouver BC Canada
Thanks for sharing your story.