Years ago every town, big 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 honesty and care for the pets for sale. Customers would come in if only to chat with the owners, play with the puppies, and maybe buy some dog food.
Today, pet stores have changed dramatically. 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 cubs are sick, not cared for and given minimal food and water in the hope that they will survive long enough to be sold. Most of these stores are heavily fined 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 with their owners for weekly supplies and maybe a new dog 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 annual checkups, rabies shots, or other issues that tend to come 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 for answers to some basic questions like how to break a house, what kind of leash to buy, how to trim nails, or even how to stop a cat from spraying. . His insight and information is helpful 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 “grocery store brands” of pet food alongside the high-end specialty brands. In a bad economy, pet owners also have to find a way to cut back, and this usually means buying cheaper pet food. When this began to happen, pet stores felt pressure to provide lower cost additional 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.
