WASHINGTON (7News) — This small business spotlight features The Muttropolitan Pet, a Washington, DC gem that has grown rapidly thanks to the vision and passion of its founder, Chanell Dunham.
What began in 2021 as a one-woman side hustle during the uncertainty of the pandemic has evolved into a full-scale pet care company offering boarding, daycare, transportation, community events, and even youth programs designed to teach kids about responsible pet ownership. Chanell’s bond with her own pup, Yasu, helped inspire the business’s warm, personal approach—one that treats clients and their pets like family.
Chanell credits much of her growth to the support she’s found through Verizon’s free Small Business Digital Ready platform. As a solopreneur learning to navigate everything from funding to marketing on her own, she found the platform’s mix of one-on-one coaching, live instructor-led sessions, and self-guided courses invaluable. These tools helped her sharpen essential business skills, build confidence, and tackle challenges that are common for new entrepreneurs. For her, seeing a major company like Verizon invest so fully in small businesses—not just financially, but through education and community involvement—has been both validating and empowering. She believes this kind of support strengthens the entire DMV business ecosystem and highlights the real impact small businesses have on local communities.
Since taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, Chanell has built meaningful relationships with her clients, celebrating milestones like new babies, new homes, and growing families. She takes pride in caring for their pets during life’s biggest moments and is committed to nurturing the trust that keeps her customers coming back. The Muttropolitan Pet isn’t just a service, it’s a community rooted in compassion, connection, and the belief that great pet care begins with genuine love for animals and the people who adore them.
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To explore how Verizon supports entrepreneurs, visit verizon.com/digitalready. To learn more about The Muttropolitan Pet and its growing impact in the DC area, visit themuttropolitanpet.com.
