Pamper your pets

A new pet store—Just 4 Pets—is catering to consumers looking for higher quality products and feed programs for their pets

Not just a supply store for cats and dogs, Just 4 Pets has 70 freshwater fish tanks, and small animals and reptiles. — Trevor Crawley photo

A new pet store that has opened up shop in Cranbrook will cater to pet owners looking for higher quality products for pampering their animal companions.

Just 4 Pets is an independent business serving the local community, with its sights set on hitting regional consumers as well. The store offers a full line of pet supplies for dogs, cats, wild and domestic birds, reptiles and small animals like guinea pigs and hamsters.

“We felt there was a need for an all-in-one pet store that had enough space to display the full line of products that people would expect in a big city," said Greg Fisher, the manager of the new business. “(We) didn’t feel anyone in town was doing that.”

The store is somewhat associated with Top Crop; the ownerships are connected but Just 4 Pets is intended to be an independent and separate entity to hit a completely different market. For example, the store carries higher quality brands of pet food—some with holistic blends to mitigate animal allergies while others are loaded with specific nutrients and vitamins.

“Most people have dogs and cats more than any other kind of animal,” said Fisher, "so our store layout kind of reflects that."

There will be no live cats or dogs sold at the store, but customers can find fish, birds and small animals that will be sourced from farm-raised operations as much as possible.

“We believe in people supporting the SPCA and our local breeders,” said Fisher, “where traditionally a number of pet stores that sell cats and dogs or puppies and kittens tend to have to use puppy mills—and that’s not a part of our philosophy.”

There is 7,000 square feet of storefront space containing 70 freshwater fish tanks, housing for small animals and birds, and pet supplies. A tub for washing pets—primarily dogs—is on site; the tub lowers down on hydraulics, the dog walks in and the owner can control the height as he or she washes and scrubs away. The store will be open seven days a week and staff are trained in current industry standards and practices.

Fisher and the owners have been hashing out this kind of business venture for two years already, to fill a lack of higher end pet products in Cranbrook and the surrounding area.

“We really wanted to take a look at each animal category,” said Fisher, “and offer people the top one or two brands in the industry so that there’s some product depth and selection.”