Years ago every town, large and small, had a pet store. It was probably owned by a neighbor and its main purpose was to sell pets. Dogs, cats, birds, goldfish and hamsters in general. These pet stores were known for their honesty and care of the pets for sale. Customers would come in if only to chat with the owners, play with the pups, and maybe buy some dog food.
Today, pet stores have changed drastically. Most are owned by large national chains and offer few pets other than lizards, birds, fish, and the occasional seasonal rabbit. Some have partnered with various local rescue organizations and humane shelters and have regular adoption days for cats and sometimes dogs as well.
However, there are some pet stores that specialize in selling puppies, albeit a far cry from what we found decades ago. These are generally what are known as puppy mills: retailers that breed dogs to die in order to make money. The pups are sick, neglected, and provided with minimal food and water in the hope that they will survive long enough to be sold. Most of these stores receive heavy fines after a few consumer complaints and eventually go out of business.
Modern pet stores tend to be large and even pet friendly. Take Fido on a leash and he can hang out with others who have come in with their owners for the weekly supplies and maybe a new doggy bone or chew stick.
Some chains have partnered with veterinary hospitals to make it truly a one stop shop. Bring your dog or cat (or iguana!) and while you pick up some food and maybe some new toys, you can also stop by the vet’s office for yearly checkups, rabies shots, or other issues that tend to crop up.
These stores are managed and staffed by animal experts. One chain requires all staff members to have at least a certificate in animal science. This kind of knowledge is wonderful when it comes time to need help with a new food or even to get answers to some basic questions about housebreaking, what type of leash to buy, how to trim nails, or even how to stop a cat from spraying. . His knowledge and information is useful to both new and experienced pet owners who might otherwise have no choice but to schedule a visit to the vet just to get some simple answers.
Most stores have learned that they need to sell what are considered “supermarket brands” of pet food alongside the higher-end specialty brands. In a bad economy, pet owners have to find a way to cut back, too, and this usually means buying cheaper pet food. When this started to happen, pet stores felt pressure to provide additional, lower-cost items for their customers.
Be sure to sign up for a customer reward card wherever you shop! You will have access to great coupons and private sales.