Becca Riker, Owner and Director of Operations
I am an active 15 year resident of historic Tremont and the owner of The Mutt Hutt. Animals have been a passion since I was a little girl. I grew up with multiple dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils and whatever the cat brought in. My first dog as college student living on my own was a rescue I named Sirouk. I found her in poor living conditions as a puppy, underweight and hid her in my purse and removed her from the crulity. After I graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh I left her with my parents and moved ot Cleveland to pursue a career in the art field. Sirouk lived a very active life for 14 years.

After an 8-year career as a graphic designer, I co-owned a dog waste clean up business -- Happy Tails Pet Services Inc. While working at Happy Tails I began and pet sitting and dog walking in Ohio City, Tremont and the Warehouse District neighborhoods to spend more time with dogs rather than their waste. I fell in love with the idea of spending my days with dogs and pursue a career in dog daycare. While researching the daycare industry I started to visit dog parks aroud the east coast and during my vacations. I thought it was such a great idea that I wanted to help Cleveland bring a dog park to the area. I worked closely with citizens in my community and the local councilman to establish Cleveland's first dog park through a grassroots group called TREATS. The first dog park in Cleveland is located in Clark Field west of Tremont.

While I was researching traditional kennels for my own dogs when I needed to board them while on vacation and was not satisfied with what was being offered in the area. I wanted my dogs to feel at home which prompted me to start cage-free and staff supervised overnight stays at The Mutt Hutt. In April 2009 after 2 years of rescuing and finding homes for homeless pets through my networks at The Mutt Hutt I formed a board of directors and officially registered a nonprofit rescue called Secondhand Mutts with the state of Ohio. Since its inception we have helped find dozens of otherwise forgotten dogs homes with forever families. Secondhand Mutts operates out of The Mutt Hutt and the staff of the hutt are shining examples of volunteerism. They work countless hours taking special care of the dogs in the adoption program and even give them needed breaks in their own homes. This project has become my pride and joy and the most fulfilling part of taking care of animals in need.

In my home I have five dogs and four cats. My first two dogs I raised since they were pups. Bacon is a red Doberman Pinscher. Mudd Pie is a chocolate Labrador Retriever mix I adopted from the Cuyahoga County Kennel in 1998. In January 2007 I adopted a red Doberman Pinscher from the Ashtabula Animal Protective League and named her Sizzle Lean. Sizzle was a drug house dog and passed away from complications associated with her prior living conditions in May 2009. I have built a website in her memory. Shortly before Sizzle died I adopted a fawn Doberman Pinscher I named Crab Cake from Secondhand Mutts. In May 2009 I adopted Buttermilk, a cream and white Doberman Pinscher from Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue in Cincinatti. In August 2009 a senior Doberman Pinscher was tranported from a high kill shelter in Mahoning County to be placed in Secondhand Mutts for adoption. I bet you guessed what happened next. Yes, I snatched him up and proudly named him Jimmy Dean.

My cats are very special to me. I have a 16 year old grey tabby named Yukon, and two white cats named Rigatoni and Joplin all adopted from the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Recently, while pulling dogs from a high kill shelter in Wooster, Ohio for the Secondhand Mutts program I adopted a deaf, white cat and named her Bowie.

All in all its a very happy home with my critters and their is currently no room at the inn! Please read on to learn more aobut the staff I am so proud of. I look forward to meeting you and your dogs as they come and visit us and their critter friends. As you browse through the rest of the website if there is anything I can help you with personally please don't hesitate to call. You can reach me at 216-621-6888 or email at becca@themutthutt.com.

Hannah, Facility Leader

I am thrilled to be a Pack Leader at The Mutt Hutt! I have been a dog-lover all my life. My childhood dogs were Poco (lab mix) Olga (Gordon setter) and Ida (chocolate lab). I am currently the mother of four: Gunther (Ridgeback mutt), Rhubarb (black lab mutt), Luigi (black cat) and Dracula (black cat).

I am lucky to be able to spend time with so many unique and lovable dogs at the Mutt Hutt. Their enthusiasm for simple pleasures and living in the moment really bring me joy. Dogs help us keep a healthy perspective on life, and remind us of what's important.

Pictured with Ruby

Nick, Crew Leader

Hi, I'm Nick and I've been with the Mutt Hutt since August 2007. I have a greyhound named Sonny and we enjoy long walks and naps together. I love being a Pack Leader here at the Mutt Hutt. It's a fantastic place for dogs to play, socialize, run, and have a good time. I've learned a lot from working with all of these wonderful dogs and I look forward to learning some more.

Pictured with Goliath and Olive

Casey, Crew Leader, Overnight Stay Supervisor,
Specialiing in Dog Behavior Training

I am a huge animal lover. I am originally from Illinois where I graduated with a BS in Mathematics from MacMurray College. About two and a half years ago my wife Jenn, our one dog, Olive and two cats (Percy and Tzk Tzk) moved to Cleveland. About a year after signing Olive up for day care at The Mutt Hutt, we managed to find another puppy named Little Bear who was also enrolled. I enjoy being at The Mutt Hutt so much that since starting work we managed to adopt a Secondhand Mutt named Bohdi. I enjoy working and getting to know all of your dogs.

Pictured with Kiowa and Ike

Erikah, Pack Leader & Overnight Stay Supervisor

My name is Erikah and I am very excited to be working at The Mutt Hutt! I have two dogs, a Doberman named Baby and a Weimaraner named Smokey. I also have six cats. I have always loved animals since I was little and originally wanted to be a Veterinarian when I 'grew up'. I am currently going to Stautzenberger college to be a Vet Tech, so it is absolutely perfect that I am working at The Mutt Hutt because being around dogs constantly will give me the experience I need. I get to learn about their behaviors and what they like and dislike. It still amazes me when I come to work every day and see all these dogs! I really love animals and I look forward to what lies ahead for me in the future.

Pictured with Delilah

Todd, Pack Leader & Overnight Stay Supervisor

I consider the unconditional love that animals, especially dogs, provide to be one of the greatest joys in life. So I consider myself to be very fortunate to work at the Mutt Hutt--where I am literally surrounded by dogs--while attending Kent State. I am a transplant from Nebraska, where my family has had dogs since I was a child, beginning with our two-and-a-half legged dog, Fritz. Nowadays I have my own American Foxhound, Leah, who provides constant joy and entertainment around my household here in Cleveland. I look forward to meeting your special four-legged family members. Dogs rule!

Pictured with Vader and Bear

Whitney, Pack Leader

Hi! I'm Whitney. I recently started at the Mutt Hutt after moving here from Chicago. It is so much fun and I love meeting and getting to know all of the dogs here. I worked for a doggy day care back home and I'm very glad that I get to build new relationships with all new dogs. My mom has my dog Jackson back home. He is a very active and adorable lab and Australian shepherd mix. We call him our "velcro" dog, since no matter where you go, there he is too. The first thing I plan to do as soon as I get a house is to adopt a puppy for my own. I love animals and graduated with a bachelors in zoology from Miami University. I look forward to continuing to build relationships with the dogs I know and meeting new ones.

Pictured with Ike

Joey, Pack Leader & Overnight Stay Supervisor

Hi, I'm Joey! When I was a teenager I discovered that I had a driving passion for the well-being of our animal friends. Since then, I have spent much of my adult life working for for and with advocacy and rights organizations to help ensure the health and safety of those who share this planet with us, human and animal alike. I am very excited for the opportunity The Mutt Hutt has provided for me and I look forward to the opportunity to gain greater understanding and deeper appreciation as I work directly with one of our dearest companions from the animal kingdom! I recently adopted my first dog, a Doberman Pinscher I named Mozzer.

Pictured with Mozzer

Tony, Pack Leader

Hello I’m Tony! I love all animals, but mostly my rescued German Shepard mix named Bug and my Cattle Dog mix named Buckley! I am currently a full-time Environmental Engineering student at Cleveland State University. I am also a Volunteer Trainee of the Animals' Disaster Team (ADT) of Cuyahoga County, “a non-profit organization, which is an all-volunteer program founded in 1992. Under the direction of local emergency rescue authorities and the American Red Cross, ADT will respond to provide temporary emergency assistance including housing, food, and basic first aid for all animals in the community in case of a natural or manmade disaster.” Growing up my family always had dogs so I feel right at home working at The Mutt Hutt.

Pictured with Buckley

Dave, Pack Leader & Overnight Stay Supervisor

Hi my names Dave and I just started as s Pack Leader this fall. I grew up around animals and have always had a passion for them. Since starting at the Mutt Hutt I have learned a lot about dogs and their behavior. When I am not hanging with the dogs I go to school at Cleveland State University studying journalism and play in a local band. I live in Tremont with two dogs a Boxer Mix named Champ and a rescued Cane Corso named Tank.

Pictured with Hector

Lacey, Overnight Stay Supervisor

I absolutely adore my position here at The Mutt Hutt. The atmosphere, the welcoming second family, and all of the mutts have made this place what it is today; a fun, energetic, professional place with individuals who truly enjoy what they do. I am currently a Veterinary Technician student at Stautzenberger College with dreams of furthering that education into Microbiology and Clinical Pathology. I share my space with two cats, Benji (also rescued in NYC) and Echo.

Pictured with Dreyfuss

Jessica, Pack Leader & Overnight Stay Supervisor

Like most of the staff at The Mutt Hutt, I've loved animals since as long as I can remember. I grew up with dogs, cats, gerbils, parakeets, snakes, rabbits, basically everything, but I've always really loved dogs especially. I have a dog of my own, a Boxer mix named Cooper that is a complete (but lovable) handful. This year, I had to do a senior project, called Genesis, which required me to work about two weeks at a professional job. I had seen The Mutt Hutt's web site before, so I remembered it and called and they graciously took me in! I really loved working there and being around the dogs, so when they offered me a job there this summer, I had to say yes. Working at The Mutt Hutt has made me realize I always want to work with animals, so I am leaning towards pursuing a veterinary career when I graduate from Ohio State. I've already learned so much from The Mutt Hutt and I can't wait to learn more!

Pictured Sammy

Sheila is available to groom your dog
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

Sheila Trinetti, Groomer
Being an animal lover I think from birth it was only natural for me that I became a dog groomer. I started dog grooming at 14 with a woman who showed poodles and naturally got into showing spainels and horses later in life.

Gentle touch and soft hand and a little baby talk can usually make my 4 legged pals put their trust in me.

I live with my son ( 9yrs) and following in my foot steps are my animals are Tony (9.5), Vinny (5), Johnny (1) Joey (2) and Cody (3) can you tell we're part Italian?

Pictured with Diesel

Martha, Groomer

I've been an animal lover ever since I can remember, begging my parents at a very young age for a dog. Since I had a hard time convincing them, I would bring home any stray I could find on my way home from school, so eventually they relented. Once I got my first dog, I use to love bathing her and dressing her up to look fancy, and so the dog grooming urge began. But it wasn't until much later that I finally pursued this long held dream. I love seeing the difference grooming makes for the dogs. They seem to know that they look and feel good, and being around the dogs relaxes me. At home I live with my husband and a menagerie of rescued pets. Being a foster mom for different organizations throughout the years, including the Cleveland APL, has brought many roommates into my life. When you first rescue a pet, you think you're doing it a favor but in reality, they are the ones who truly enrich our lives. This is why I'm so happy to be working now at the Mutt Hutt where the dogs and their welfare come first. I'm looking forward to meeting many more wonderful pets, and of course, the people who think they own them.

Pictured Prince

Megan, Groomer

I am a long time Pack Leader and Ovenight Stay Supervisor of TMH. I left my position to pursue a career in grooming and I have been given the opportunity to return to meet up with some of my old dog friends to groom them. I continue to work at an east side grooming salon studying under a dog show professional groomer with many years of experience. I love to de-fur large dogs and enjoy the sense of pride after finishing a dog and making them look beautiful. I am available to groom your dog by appointment on Monday's.

Pictured Zeus and Max Brown