Doolittle's Chateau-Animaux was founded on January 1, 1994 as D & M Enterprises, d/b/a Doolittle’s, by partners Dennis P. Bourgault, Esq., and Michael O. Suddath, DMD. In March of that year, the Company began sales on the weekends at Washington, DC's historic Eastern Market.
Having moved to Capitol Hill, and after acquiring two Dalmatian puppies, Shelby and Daisy, the partners recognized the need for a new type of pet supply store, with a pleasant, "upscale" atmosphere, a unique product mix of top-quality pet foods, treats and supplies, pet-related gift items and a knowledgeable sales staff. The name "Doolittle's" was selected as a tribute to Hugh Lofting's English character, Dr. Dolittle, who, like the owners, recognized that companion animals are truly our "Best Friends!"
In February 1995, Doolittle's opened a full-time retail outlet at 224 Seventh Street, SE, first floor. The Company began its home delivery service and in-store pet adoption program. In July 1995, the Company incorporated as Doolittle’s, Ltd., in Washington, DC.
In 1996, Doolittle’s expanded to a portion of the second floor of its building on Seventh Street and opened a full-service grooming salon. In May of that year, Doolittle’s was selected by Pet Product News as one of the “Fabulous 50” pet retailers in the country for “Best Community Relations.” And, in June, Doolittle’s was selected as “Retailer of the Year” by the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (“CHAMPS”). Doolittle's founder, Dennis Bourgault, was elected to the CHAMPS Board of Directors, and subsequently served as its President. Also in 1996, Doolittle’s established its first internet presence with Digital City Washington. In 1997, Doolittle’s internet site changed servers and began e-commerce with an on-line order form. In 1998, Doolittle’s upgraded its internet site, adding a secure on-line shopping cart system on a new server. In June 2000, Doolittle's owners acquired a commercial property at 524 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, and began plans to relocate the store to the historic Barracks Row, Washington DC's first commercial corridor. Also in 2000, Doolittle’s continued to expand its internet presence, adding more products to the site daily. In May 2000, Doolittle’s was selected by Pet Business magazine as a “Winner at Retail.” And, in December 2000, Doolittle’s was featured in Washingtonian magazine – “118 Ways to Take Very Good Care of Your Pet.”
In September, 2003, Doolittle's launched its new web site, Chateau-Animaux. The new website incorporated many new features not available when the previous site was designed. The need for a new name and brand identity arose due to the rise in popularity of the Internet, with several other sites in the United States and abroad calling themselves "Doolittle" or "Dolittle's." The new name and logo were developed drawing from Doolittle's owner, Dennis Bourgault's, French-Canadian roots. "Chateau-Animaux" (pronounced "sha-TOE" "an-ee-MO") means Animals' Castle, a place where they reign supreme!
In July 2005, Chateau-Animaux moved to a new, larger location on 8th Street, SE, in 2005, after completion of the multi-million dollar MainStreet renovation of the commercial corridor known as Historic Barracks Row, in Washington, DC. New products and services were be added, including a fresh "Ba(r)kery", additional product lines, larger aquarium product section and live fish, a state-of-the-art grooming salon and self-service dog wash, and expanded Internet sales division. Click here for a store tour! The Company also instituted its "Mon Ami" customer rewards program at the new location in 2006. In 2006, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation awarded Dennis Bourgault and Mike Suddath the Robert L. Herrema Award for the renovation of the Chateau-Animaux building on Barracks Row. The Foundation created the award "as a lasting recognition of the contributions made to our neighborhood by visionary local developer Bob Herrema, who died in 2003. The awards are given annually to individuals, businesses and organizations for enhancements of Capitol Hill’s urban landscape, including residential and commercial development, park and public space improvements, private gardens, playgrounds, public art and other environmental improvements." Also in 2006, Chateau-Animaux purchased Zanadoo and Co, an all-natural dog biscuit manufacturer based in Washington State, with production in New Jersey. The Company introduced two new flavors, Ginger Snap and Blueberry, to the existing line of Apple Crunch, Cheese, Peanut Butter and a Variety Pack. In 2008, Chateau-Animaux moved production to its own facility in Beltsville, Maryland. In 2009, it introduced another new flavor treat, Sweet Potato, and began production of decorative, bakery-style treats. The biscuits are made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients and contain no wheat, corn or soy. Click here to visit Chateau-Animaux's dog biscuit web site.
In 2009, Chateau-Animaux was selected as Washington's "Best Pet Shop" by the annual Washington City Paper's Reader's Poll, and a "Favorite" dog bakery in the Capital Tails Readers' Choice Awards.
In 2011, the Washington, DC store moved to 733 8th Street, SE, in response to changing demographics and to reduce overhead costs. The store retained all of its core product lines and services, except for the sale of tropical fish, which was discontinued based on a lack of demand and profitability. Chateau-Animaux In the News!
Over the years, Doolittle's Chateau-Animaux has been featured in numerous articles, radio and television broadcasts, both national and international, including: USA Today, Pet Product News, Pet Business, Dog World (Japan), Washingtonian, Washington Business Journal, WASHINGTON spaces, Sam Donaldson's "Live in America" (ABC radio), Washington, D.C. Style, The Vicki Gabereau Show (Canadian Television Network), The Hill Rag, Voice of the Hill, Roll Call, The Hill, The Washington Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Post Magazine, NBC Style: A Show for You (WBIR-TV 10, NBC, Knoxville, TN), It's Christopher Lowell (Discovery Channel), The Delta Shuttle Sheet, Pleasure-Scene, Budget Living, WTTR radio, CHAMPS' Capitol Hill Business Quarterly, CHAMPSdc.org, Barracks Row Bulletin, WFAA-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; KHOU-TV, Houston, TX; KING-TV, Seattle-Tacoma, WA; KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ; KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO; KGW-TV, Portland, OR; WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC; KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX; WVEC-TV, Hampton-Norfolk, VA; WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA; KASA-TV, Albuquerque,-Santa Fe, NM; WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY; KOTV, Tulsa, OK; KVUE-TV, Austin, TX; KREM-TV, Spokane, WA; KMSB-TV, Tucson, AZ; KTVB-TV, Boise, ID; NorthWest Cable News, Seattle-Tacoma, WA; TXCN, Texas Cable News Network; Newswatch on CH 15, New Orleans, LA; Local News on Cable, Norfolk, VA, and others.
Click here to view Chateau-Animaux Press Coverage Community Service
Chateau-Animaux regularly sponsors community events in Washington, DC, including weekly dog and cat adoptions with Capitol Cats, K-9 Lifesavers, the Washington Humane Society and others. We have also sponsored Capitol Hill Childrens' Baseball Teams, Potomac Gay & Lesbian Softball Teams, "Pride of Pets" fundraiser for PETS-DC, the Washington Humane Society's "Bark Ball", the annual Lincoln Park Halloween dog costume contest -- "Howl-O-Ween!," and countless contributions to local charity events.
Chateau-Animaux owner, Dennis Bourgault, has served as President of the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals, and on the Boards of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District and Barracks Row Main Street.
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In November 2008, Chateau-Animaux purchased Fetch! dog bakery boutique in historic Old Town, 
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