Alli-Kat Floral and Pets is an oasis for anyone who needs a little flora or fauna.

Owned by Alli Holwell-Ruelle, the floral shop blooms with a novel assortment of houseplants, floral displays, all-occassion balloons, and unique handmade gifts.

The pet shop beckons those who dress their pets with an entire wall of pet clothing that ranges from warm functional coats and boots to runway-worthy fashion pieces adorned with sequins and faux furs, and designer collars and leashes.

Beyond that, the aisles are stocked with the full spectrum of small pets and their supplies. Faces of almost every size and shape look out at customers — from chinchillas and rabbits to birds and fish — even Asian flying geckos.

“And if we don’t have it, we can special order it,” says Holwell-Ruelle.

The shop’s name is a witty play on words. Holwell-Ruelle, whose first name is Alli, and her mother, floral designer Kat Ruelle, came up with the name after deciding it was fitting for a shop that sold and catered to pets.

“I even had someone ask me that once,” said Ruelle. “If I had planned that. I told her no — could I have named her at birth thinking one day, 30-some years later, we’d have a pet shop together?” Ruelle says with a well-meaning tease.

Holwell-Ruelle purchased Joy's Floral and Pet Shop in July 2006, her first business venture in the retail industry. “I was in the construction industry,” she said. “I’d never done anything like this. But I’ve truly enjoyed the challenges each day has to offer.”

As she says on her store’s Web site. “Whether it's rabbits, roses or rainbow fish — we are gaining knowledge daily.”

The shop is quickly becoming known for its unique arrangements presented in novel containers that are either handmade by Ruelle, or found vases, baskets and pottery that Holwell-Ruelle finds at second-hand shops or yard sales. She says that way, the gently used vintage, art deco and collector pieces are given a second life. “And we can then pass the cost savings on to our customers,” she says.

Both Holwell-Ruelle and Ruelle design the unique floral arrangements. Ruelle says she and her husband Darrell collect many of the items for her baskets and containers in the woods by their home.

“We find birchbark, lichens, driftwood, mushrooms, all sorts of things,” said Ruelle.

“I did an arrangement recently with a bird nest made from wrapped grapevine,” she said.

Alli-Kat works with other area florists — Richmond and Strieffs —  trading flowers when needed and cooperating so that all three can find the materials needed to give their customers just the arrangement they want. And the duo create floral bouquets for every occasion and offer custom wedding and funeral flowers. They also carry all-occassion latex & mylar balloons and other unique gifts.

Last summer, Holwell-Ruelle expanded her shop to double its original size and redesigned the pet and floral areas. Most recently, they have added another service - in shop dog grooming. Groomer Michele Swanson began grooming small and medium breed dogs at the shop a couple months ago, after Holwell-Ruelle decided to respond to customers’ requests for the service.

“It was odd,” she says, “ but I actually had a lot of tourists coming in over the summer and asking for dog grooming. Many people vacationing down at Ash River and Kab would bring their pets and one day decide to come into town with them and get them cleaned and trimmed up.” Business has been busy she says, with Swanson grooming small and medium breeds during evening appointments. Before joining Alli-Kat, Swanson groomed dogs in her home.  With the installation of a large tub in the back grooming parlor, Holwell-Ruelle plans to accommodate large breeds as well.

Holwell-Ruelle credits the help of her family and dedicated friends for her business success.

“We’re an independent shop with hand-picked suppliers,” she says on her Web site, “and we personally guarantee the quality of everything we sell.” Holwell-Ruelle says quality is never an accident. “It’s the result of high intention, sincere effort an skillful execution,” she says.

“We enjoy bringing art and beauty to our customers’ lives.”

WHAT: Alli-Kat Floral and Pet, 1322 Third St., International Falls

WHEN: Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays

Contact: 283-6779;

email: allikatfloral@yahoo.com

Web site: wwwallikatfloral.com