Niles Aquatic Store To Host Adoption Event For Dog And Cat Rescue

Animals like Legolas, the pet of the month at Wright-Way Rescue, will be on hand for an adoption event at Xzotic Aquatic World on March 4. Photo by Wright-Way Rescue.

Five years ago, Carl Barone adopted Maggie, a half Chihuahua, half terrier dog from Wright-Way Rescue.
His experience with the rescue, which is based in Morton Grove, was so good that 3 years ago, he returned to them to adopt Roscoe, a Malinois, German Shepherd and boxer mix.

On Sunday, March 4, starting at noon, Barone, president of Xzotic Aquatic World, will host a fundraiser for the rescue organization.

“We are going to donate 100 percent of our sales on Sunday to Wright-Way Rescue,” Barone said.

Xzotic Aquatic World, run by Barone and Ken Schlecht, vice president, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. From noon to 3 p.m., representatives, both furry and human, from Wright-Way Rescue will be on hand to speak to people about the adoption process. The store will donate 100 percent of its sales the entire time the store is open Sunday.

Most of Barone's pets have been rescues and he believes strongly in not only adopting pets, but also in giving back.

“For me, one of the reasons why we wanted to do something like this is that we saw something in the news that the shelters are maxed out in Chicago, he explained of his impetus for the event. “We decided to hold an event to bring awareness to adoption.”

Wright-Way Rescue is based in Morton Grove and according to its Web site, the rescue “saves pets from rural animal control facilities where they are at a high risk of euthanasia, and instead offer them a second chance at a loving home in the Chicagoland area.”

Barone said like the other rescues in the area, many are at capacity because the storms in the south left people homeless or in temporary housing where they could not bring their pets.

“We want to help with the overload of dogs and cats (Wright-Way Rescue) has in house,” Barone said of his desire to make a difference.

When he approached the rescue, he said they jumped at the chance almost faster than he could explain the idea to them.

“They were just really excited about the fact that we wanted to hold an event here,” Barone stated.

Barone has been president of Xzotic Aquatic World since 2012, but has been in the hobby since 1991. He sees Xzotic Aquatic World as a team effort -- his son Harry Barone even helps the store with ordering and posting information to social media. While the animals sold at Xzotic Aquatic World are wetter than your average dog or cat, the care owners have for and put into their pets is the same. To that end, the business, which Barone believes is a team effort, does not simply sell aquatic life and supplies to customers, Xzotic Aquatic World builds relationships and educates everyone who walks through the door.

“It’s (an) understanding that it is a hobby,” Barone expressed. “It’s a live animal that you’re trying to care for so people do get connected to it.”

To that end, the store offers a 5-day guarantee on its fish. If one passes away, the store not only guarantees the product, but also tries to diagnose what issues might have contributed to the passing of the aquatic life.

“We try to understand why something happens,” he expressed compassionately.

Customers are asked to bring in photos of their tank set up and a water sample.

It was that kind of customer service that connected Barone to Wright-Way Rescue in the first place. After losing a large breed family dog at 9 years old, Barone said his wife wanted a smaller-breed dog.

“They were the first (rescue) who was able to bring a small breed of a Chihuahua up for her,” he boasted of the rescue. “(Maggie) was only three pounds when we first got her.”

Xzotic Aquatic World is located at 7021 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Niles. They can be reached at (847) 588-5200, on Facebook or on the Web.

All animals available for adoption can be found on the Wright-Way Rescue Website.