Manahawkin Man To Pitch Pet Product On ABC's 'Shark Tank'

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — An inventor from Manahawkin will be featured on ABC's "Shark Tank" on Friday.

Michael Sweigart will present the FurZapper to investors alongside his business partner Harry Levin, of Ocean Township.

The FurZapper is a reusable, silicone pet hair remover that can be placed in a washer or dryer.

"As a work-at-home dad, I always did the laundry at our home of five people and three hairy pets. I was frustrated still having to pick up dog and cat hair off of fresh, clean laundry," said Sweigart in a promotional video.

He tried other home remedies, including tying rubber gloves together, tin foil balls and fabric softeners, to no avail.

Sweigart stumbled upon a solution to his problem when he accidentally dropped a silicone zombie mask on the floor and noticed pet hair stuck to it.

All of the pet hair rinsed off the mask with some water, Sweigart said. He threw the zombie mask in with his laundry and found it also removed the pet hair from his clothes.

With the FurZapper, Sweigart refined a tacky, silicone formula and a paw-shaped size that would work in both washers and dryers.

FurZappers are available at Walmart in Manahawkin, Little Egg Harbor and Lanoka Harbor, and at A's Hardware & Garden Center in Bayville, according to the store locator.

The "Shark Tank" episode featuring the FurZapper will premiere Friday, April 9 at 8 p.m.

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