About Gunner

Hey everyone, Gunner here.

The desert shop rescues

I grew up in Henderson, Nevada. It is a hot and dry town just outside Las Vegas. For years, I worked as a mechanic in a custom off-road shop. We built tough trucks to survive the harsh Mojave Desert. We also had a lot of unexpected visitors.

Stray animals would often wander into our open garage doors to escape the blazing sun. We always kept bowls of water and food out for them. I started taking in the ones that needed help. What started as one stray dog quickly turned into a full house.

Over the years, I have cared for a giant English Mastiff who needed a family, a group of barn cats that kept the mice away, a couple of rescue rabbits, and even a desert tortoise that found its way into our yard. I built them strong beds out of leftover metal and thick canvas from the shop.

Testing the gear

Spending so much time with big dogs, active cats, and other pets made me realize a huge problem. Most pet gear is just cheap plastic and thin cloth. The store bought leashes would snap. The chew toys would break in three minutes. The plastic water bowls would crack in the desert heat.

My mechanic brain could not handle the cheap quality. I started looking at dog harnesses, cat trees, and toys the exact same way I looked at truck parts. I wanted to find the toughest and most reliable gear out there. I started testing different brands to see what could actually survive a house full of active animals.

Building Pet Approves

I realized other pet owners probably wanted the same honest information. I built Pet Approves to share my findings. My goal is simple. I want to provide honest reviews of pet gear without any fake marketing. I test every leash, collar, and travel crate to make sure it is safe and strong.

If a product breaks on the first day, I will tell you. If a toy can survive my giant dog chewing on it for a month, or a scratching post can hold up to my cats, it gets the Pet Approves stamp.

That is my story and why this site exists. Now, it is time for me to grab a tough leash and get the dogs outside.

Start with the dog guides or the cat guides.