Contact us

K-9 Carts
P.O. Box 160639
Big Sky, MT  59716

Phone: 406-995-3111
Fax: 406-995-3113

E-mail:
wheels@k9carts.com

In the early 1960’s, Dr. Lincoln Parkes, a Veterinary orthopedic surgeon at the Animal Medical Center in New York, realized the need for such a device. There were many animals that could not benefit from surgery or financially surgery was not an option. He invented a simple two wheeled cart to allow these pets to move around again. Initially they were built only for small dogs, and he built them himself as demand was needed.

Dr. Lincoln J. Parkes
From New York, Dr. Parkes moved to the University of Pennsylvania where he taught orthopedics. He continued to make a few carts as needed. During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, he hired some part time help and about 40-60 carts where sold yearly. He made carts for all size animals, but primarily for smaller breeds such as the Dachshund.

In 1973, he started a part-time referral specialty orthopedic practice in Paoli, Pennsylvania as well as continuing to teach at the University. Carts were continuing to be made on a limited basis with part time help.

Barbara Parkes
and the K-9 Cart Company
In November of 1975, Barbara Parkes married Dr. Parkes. In 1976, they opened their own veterinary orthopedic specialty practice in Malvern, PA. In the initial years, full time was devoted to the growing of the hospital. The need for help for handicapped animals continued to grow, and Barbara Parkes started to devote more time and energy to the K-9 Carts.

Cart Design
In the early 1980’s, a new design for the large animal was introduced as more large dogs were in need of the cart.

Each year, modifications and new design changes were and still are being implemented. For example, we devised a means of turning our carts into ‘walking’ carts for animals who still had feeling in the hind legs.

At this time, Dr. Parkes is designing a new lightweight cart with newer materials now available to us. From this next cart, he will then develop a cart with more support being given to the forelimbs. For those pets living in snow country a means of attaching skis to the cart is being designed.

K-9 Cart Company has grown slowly over the years, primarily through advertising in veterinary journals, pet magazines, newspaper articles, TV exposure and of course ‘word of mouth.'

Big Sky Country
In the 1990’s we moved the company across the country to Big Sky, Montana, and have been here ever since. The demand for carts continues to increase, and the amount of carts going out to animals grows every month. There are carts all over the world now. Almost everywhere you travel, there is an animal running around with the help of a K-9 cart.

Our Commitment
K-9 Cart Company is dedicated to the needs of the handicapped pet. Our goal is to provide an ‘improved quality of life’ for your pet, not to keep the pet going for the owner, but rather to keep your pet enjoying life to the fullest.

Barbara Parkes has been managing K-9 Cart Company for the past 23 + years, and over those years, has received thousands of letters indicating that we have brought happiness to owners and especially their pets. In many cases, we have been helpful in returning pets to walking and running on their own. We have found this extremely rewarding, having watched many animals drag themselves into our shop and then after getting in the cart tear off with a ‘smile’ on their faces as they regain their independence.

Animals will adapt to their infirmities. They do not have hang-ups that we humans do. They will get from point A to point B any way they can. However with a caring owner, proper nursing care and mobility, they are able to enjoy a new zest for life and be part of the family activities once again!