Whatever Happened To FurZapper Laundry Pet Hair Remover After Shark Tank Season 12?

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In 2021, Michael Sweigart and Harry Levin brought their product, the FurZapper, to "Shark Tank." Their silicone, paw-shaped pet hair remover is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and can be reused many times. In the washer, pet hair sticks to the FurZapper until the rinse cycle washes it down the drain, and when used in the dryer, it helps all the hair make its way to the lint trap.

Sweigart is a father and pet owner who works from home, and doing his family's laundry is what inspired him to create the FurZapper. He noticed that no matter how clean the clothes were, fur still clung to the fabric. Sweigart also had an interest in crafting Halloween masks. "I accidentally dropped part of a mask on the floor in my workshop, where my dogs frequent, and noticed that there was dog fur stuck all over it; I then brought it to the sink to rinse it off and found that the fur immediately washed off," Sweigart told the Asbury Park Press. With this discovery, Sweigart thought silicone might be the solution to his hairy problem. "I dropped a piece of silicone into my washer and dryer and the lint trap immediately filled up with fur," he said.

When Levin and Sweigart appeared on "Shark Tank," their product was already doing well because of a deal with Walmart. Several sharks were immediately interested in the pair's laundry product. Kevin O'Leary started the bidding war, offering a choice between $600,000 for 20% equity or the same amount of money as a three-year debt with a 9.5% interest rate in exchange for 5% of their company.

Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, and Mark Cuban also wanted to invest in the product, but Greiner was persistent. "This is so right for me. I mean, it's in my bones..." Greiner told the FurZapper team. "I'm the right partner for you, and if you don't see that, I'm going to blow you up internationally, U.S.A., everywhere." In the end, Sweigart and Levin accepted Lori's deal of $600,000 for 15% of their company and the opportunity for a credit line if necessary.

A post shared by FurZapper (@furzapper)

Once Levin and Sweigart's episode aired, their sales increased tremendously. Almost two weeks after the episode, FurZapper posted on their Instagram that they had sold out of their product. "Thousands of orders have been sent out for delivery today and more tomorrow! Thank you for your patience. Shark Tank really overwhelmed our ordering system but we are catching up quick..." the post reads.

Since FurZapper is not listed under Greiner's "Shark Tank" products on her website, it is unclear if Levin and Sweigart kept their deal with her; however, they were happy with it after the show. "It was a fantastic outcome and everything we hoped for," Sweigart said (via Asbury Park Press). The company also began to rise in popularity with the public. "It's exciting to take something from a literal sketch to an actual product and see it publicly recognized," Sweigart told the outlet. "The other day, I was out wearing a FurZapper hat and two people I passed both said, 'I love FurZapper!' not knowing that I made it. I'm not changing the world with this product, but it's gratifying to know that I'm helping pet owners address a long-unsolved problem."

Got Fur? Add FurZappers to your laundry and FurZapper will pluck pet hair off your clothes and drop it into your lint trap #furzapper #pethair

FurZapper remains in business and seems to be doing well as a company. Their products are currently sold on their website, as well as Amazon, Tractor Supply, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Target. The company is also selling its unique laundry product with retailers specifically geared towards pet owners, such as Chewy, Petland, and Petsmart.

The company has also begun making other pet-friendly products. Besides their original silicone fur removers, FurZapper now produces a glove for grooming dogs and cats. Rather than using a brush, you can slip the glove over your hand, and the soft, small bristles will catch your pet's hair. The company also created an alternative for lint rollers, the lint zapper sheets, to remove any hair their original FurZapper misses. From the time before their appearance on "Shark Tank" to a few years after, FurZapper has continued to prove successful.

According to Sweigart's LinkedIn page, he is still active with FurZapper. Levin was originally Sweigart's lawyer but decided to partner with him because of his passion for animals. Though it's unclear if Levin is still involved with FurZapper, he continues to practice law. Levin is currently a managing partner for his firm, Levin and Associates, and has been for almost 33 years, according to his profile on LinkedIn. Levin's LinkedIn also mentions that he does pro-bono work for charitable organizations, such as the Humane Society.

The FurZapper company continues to promote its products on social media, including Instagram and TikTok, where videos showcase how their product works. In March, FurZapper attended the Global Pet Expo, which is put on by the Pet Industry Distributors Association and the American Pet Products Association in Orlando, Florida. From the beginning, Sweigart has been totally dedicated to his invention. "I left gainful employment with no backup plan for this dream and even downsized our house to free up money so that we could make this work," Sweigart said (via Asbury Park Press). "But I never gave up on this product."