CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) — Animal Connection will mark 24 years in business with a celebration from September 19-21. Animal Connection, located in IX Park, was founded by Pattie Zeller, who saw no resources for the specific natural pet products she wanted to feed the family dog. Started in a farmhouse garage, it moved to a brick-and-mortar store in 2003 and relocated in 2020.