History
Tabby and Jack’s opened its doors on September 19, 2007 with the goal to provide healthy pet food, treats and supplements to your four legged companions. Owners Ken and Michelle Lonergan have been exposed to the pet industry for decades. Michelle’s parents were one of the original founders of Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Rockford, IL nearly 30 years ago. They fostered cats, dogs, raccoons, squirrels, birds and even the occasional skunk! Her parents' involvement in animals led to the start of their family business, Charjan’s Distributors, Inc. Charjan’s is a natural pet food distributor that has now been in business for 23 years. With their extensive knowledge and exposure to those who have studied pet nutrition for decades, the Lonergan’s have brought together an array of premium food products and supplements that complete all your cat and dog's nutritional needs.
The store also specializes in that hard to find accessory that makes your pets look as unique as their personalities.
Meet the Pack
Ken and Michelle Lonergan: Ken and Michelle Lonergan are the owners of Tabby & Jack’s. When not busy with their 5 human children, their precious pooch, Hannah and Boo Boo the kitty, they enjoy snow skiing, biking and brewing an occasional home brew. As a pharmacist, Ken enjoys studing the science behind the foods and educating our clients on how premium foods can improve a pet’s health and longevity. Although Michelle's biggest passion is pet nutrition, she also enjoys researching safe and fun pet products that keep your "Tabby" or "Jack" active, playful and stylish!
Chuck and Jan Stewart: Chuck and Jan Stewart were on of the original founders of a pet rescue in Rockford, IL called Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary. After 30 years, Chuck and Jan are still active in Noah's Ark serving as President and Managing Director respectively. The couple also own Charjan's Distrubutors, which is an all natural and organic wholesale distributor. Chuck and Jan's knowledge and experience are instrumental in training the employees, providing advise to our clients and assisting with the monthly articles.
Andy Wiginton: Andy received his bachelor's degrees from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; a Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College, and is presently pursuing his PhD in Theatre for Youth here in Madison. Andy has lived and workd abroad, coming most recently from Puerto Rico where he was the Director of Theatre Activities at a bilingual prep school and a member of the faculty at the University of Puerto Rico. Andy has had many pets, but his little "Molly" is clearly the favorite. Andy has worked with Molly therapeutically with kids at the Caribbean Cancer Center as well special education students in Puerto Rico. Andy loves dogs and is a stauch advocate for natural pet foods and healthy treats.
Debbie Compton: Debbie is the most recent member of the Tabby and Jack Team and has been a critical part in developing our Holistic Grooming Spa. Debbie has been grooming for over 5 years, starting her career in a big box pet supply store. Over her carreer, she had always invisioned a holistic grooming spa with a relaxing environment, opposed to the stressful environment often found in the big box stores. Learn More about TJ's Doggie Day Spa at Tabby & Jack's! Deb also has a strong interest in pet nutrition. Her strong interest in nutrition is derived from the countless poor skin and fur conditions she has seen over her grooming career.
Quality Control Team
Hannah Lonergan: Hannah is a 9 year old red Doberman Pincher that is as sweet as they come. She was rescued from Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary in Rockford, IL when she was 5 months old by the Lonergan family. She successfully completed puppy kindergarden and obedience training both with high honors. Furthermore, she has earned the Canine Good Citizen Certification. She truly is the smartest dog I know! She is a seasoned quality control manager and is responsible for the tasty foods and treats at Tabby & Jack's that have passed her exquisite pallet and high quality standards. Click Here for product picks by Hannah.
Boo Boo Lonergan: Boo Boo is a black kitty who was born in April of 2008. He was found by a homeless man who saw him get hit by a car when he was only 5 weeks old. He was appearantly from a feral mother and timid and scared as can be. I brought him home with the intend to surrender him to a rescue organization, as I believed that with a 2 year old, he would be better suited elsewhere. As it turned out, Boo Boo had a permanent injury from his accident and would likely be euthanized, as it is difficult to place him in a home. Fortunately, Ainsley was able to get Boo Boo to come out of his shell and he is now the most friendly, lovable kitty I have ever known! Click Here for Boo Boo product picks.
Bella Bear: Please meet the newest addition to our team. Valentine Bella Bear! Bella Bear was adopted by the Lonergan family on February 7th. She is a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog from the Wagontales Kennels in Fort Collins, CO. She feels right at home in the upper midwest where fun snowy days are plentiful. With Bella's great temperment and kind disposition, we are hopeful that she will make a great therapy dog when she grows up! She has already been great therapy to many by putting smiles on every face she sees! Click Here to see Bella's Page.
Jack Lonergan: This is Jack. Plain and simple as his attitude. Nothing bothers him. Not even a 4 month old puppy! Jack is Ken and Michelle's grandcat, who came to live with them in November of 2008. Jack has settled in nicely and is now best friends with Boo Boo. The two are inseparable, whether they are cuddling on the chair together by day or chasing, tumbling and biting each other by night (usually around 2am!). Jack knows no strangers. If he doesn't know you, he will charge up to you and sniff you up and down until he does! He doesn't like to leave anything a mystery. He likes treats, stalking Bella and playing on his 7 foot cat tree.
Click here to see Jack's Page!
Molly Wiginton: Hello my name is Molly Wiginton, and I absolutely love my new job at Tabby and Jack’s! In Venezuela, where I am from, they drown female puppies that aren’t purebred. My daddy plucked me out of the river the day I was born and raced me to the veterinarian where Dr. Ronaldo cleaned up my tail that had been caught on a piece of barbed wire in the river. After a tense week with Dr. Ronaldo, my daddy came to pick me up and took me back to his house in the mountains. I was too little to leave at home by myself, so daddy took me to his work at the University in his backpack and fed me between lectures. After a while I didn’t need the bottle anymore, but I had so many friends to visit in town that I just had to come to class with him anyway. Leaving Venezuela was sad, but daddy was happy to be back with his family in Michigan. After Michigan we moved to New York City, and I learned how to ride the subway and dress in fancy cashmere sweaters. After that, we moved to Puerto Rico where I worked with daddy at his school with kids in the special education building. Sometimes he even took me to the cancer center to play with kids who needed an extra smile.
Now that we are in Madison, I am very happy that daddy works on the weekends at Tabby and Jack’s where I get to meet all kinds of new people, play with the cats, and meet new dog friends. I also love my new natural food and treats—pumpkin are my favorite! Come and visit me on the weekends. Click Here for my product picks.
Mako Compton: is a 2 1/2 year old male White Schnauzer. He was purchased from a breeder by a woman who already had 2 adult male schnauzers. She brought him into the salon I was managing, told me that her dogs were beating him up and then she never came back for him. I rescued him so he wouldn't be euthanized at the shelter which was overcrowded with homeless dogs. He was only 3 months old and very timid. He had terrible skin and food allergies. I switched his food to a raw diet which helped his overall health tremendously. Now his coat is silky and glossy. Mako is playful and energetic. He enjoys long car rides, chewing shoelaces, and removing squeakers from toys. He loves to do tricks for his favorite pumpkin treats at Tabby and Jack's! Click Here to visit his page for his favorite food and accessories.
Puck: is a three month old mixed mutt. I am from St. Louis, and don't ask me what breed I am, because your guess is as good as mine. My mom was Golden Retriever, but the rest is a great mystery. I love my new job at Tabby & Jack's and all the new friends I'm meeting. The best thing about working here is that I get to try out all the stuff especially for puppies! I eat Bravo Balance Raw Diet every morning for breakfast with yummy Wild Salmon Oil and Lifeline Ocean Kelp. Daddy says it will make my coat nice and soft and keep me healthy for a long time. In the evenings I like to nibble on Nutrisource Large Breed Puppy food. It's got lots of extra vitamins and minerals to help me get really big and strong.I love to chew on just about everything, but my favorites are the small Moo Free Range Beef Knots and Jones Pumpers. I've been spoiled with lots of toys, but my squeaky pink elephant is my favorite. Check out my new Hotdog ID "dog tag" it's got my name and phone number on it and is super cool. I never have an accident in the house because I get a Tabby & Jack's Pumpkin Cookie if I'm careful and go outside. They are my favorite. My big sister Molly likes them, too. She plays with me lots and lots! I hope you all come in to play with me on the weekends at Tabby & Jack's, too!