The year was 2001, and Cave's chocolate Lab, Hunter, was suffering from myriad allergies.

"Hunter was always a scratchy, itchy dog with a running nose," said Cave, who currently operates The Pet Pantry, a pet food delivery franchise. "Technically, I don't know what he was allergic to, but his previous food contained wheat and by-products and a chemical preservative, and I just figured he was overly sensitive to those things."

By a chance referral, Cave received a complimentary sample of The Pet Pantry's Lamb & Rice Select blend, which is specially recommended for dogs with allergies, and decided to give it a try -- that is, she decided to let Hunter give it a try.

"It was a miracle food," Cave said. "After two weeks, he wasn't scratching and itching and his coat looked better, and the crusty build-up around his nose disappeared."

Impressed with the overall concept of The Pet Pantry -- which is based in Carson City and has approximately 80 domestic franchises as well as about a dozen units in the Philippines and a couple in Mexico -- Cave purchased her company from the previous local owner, who was ready to retire.

The bulk of the funds to purchase the franchise was derived from "the bank of the family," she said, adding that prior to taking the reins she was required to attend a week-long corporate training seminar that included a course on animal nutrition. It took her about eight months to get the company up to corporate standards after the transaction was completed.

"I got the van with all the logos and got the business computerized and running efficiently," she said. "Then I spent a year working on growth, and am still in a growth phase. I wish I could grow faster, but I'm only one person."

Since acquiring the company, Cave has expanded its customer base from 70 to an estimated 200 in a delivery territory that includes southern Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City. (There is another local franchise serving the remainder of the valley.) She said the company has proven to be a profitable, unproblematic operation.

"I can't say I'm losing money," she said. "And it's such an easy business."

With no shortage of potential customers.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association (APPMA), a non-profit trade organization serving pet product manufacturers and importers, there are more pets than people in the United States: 378 million pets versus 290 million people. Furthermore, 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet, equating to 64.2 million households, APPMA said.

Moreover, for 2003, $32.4 billion was spent on pets in the United States, including $13.7 billion for food, according to the organization, which predicted that overall 2004 spending will total $34.3 billion, with pet food sales reaching $14.3 billion.

"These spending figures reflect a change that has been occurring over the past decade of pets transitioning into the family," said Bob Vetere, APPMA chief operating officer and managing director. "As more and more people consider and treat pets like children, they're purchasing products and services that you wouldn't have typically seen our grandparents buying for their pets."

That includes hypo-allergenic dog food, one of The Pet Pantry's eight all-natural canine blends. The most popular are the Natural Premium and the Select Low-Fat. The local franchise also carries two varieties of cat food, although Cave said 95 percent of the company's business is derived from the delivery of dog food.

Products are available in large 50-pound bags, medium-sized 25-pound bags and small 15-pounders. With the first visit, customers receive a white plastic bin with a sealable lid. On delivery day, they merely need leave the bin outside the door and Cave will fill it with the product of their choice.

"They don't have to be home, so it's convenient," she said. "The bins keep the bugs out, and it's a nice presentation."

Ben Linn, franchise support consultant for The Pet Pantry International, said both local franchises are performing well -- as is the company in general -- largely because people are so enchanted with the idea of home delivery.

"With people's busy schedules, home delivery just makes sense," Linn said. "People also like the idea of our business because we're as good or better than most foods on the market. We're comparable to Science Diet and Eukabana in quality, and the private label that we're developed is very palatable. Our products are also comparably priced and we bring it to your door at no extra charge."