Organisers of the first National Pet Shop Day have paid tribute to the retailers and local communities who got behind the initiative last month.
More than 200 retailers across the UK joined the official roll call of participants on Saturday July 13, with many hosting a range of in-store activities including free pet photography, prize draws, discounts, cake stalls, goodie bags, and fundraising for local charities.
National Pet Shop Day was created and launched by Johnson’s Veterinary Products to mark the positive contribution of pet shops , and to celebrate their dedication, knowledge, and experience in supporting the nation’s pet owners.
Managing director Paul Gwynn said: “Pet shops and stores are the local health and wellbeing hubs of the pet world. They offer direct face-to-face support and advice to pet owners, by sharing healthcare and product knowledge based on years, sometimes decades of experience caring for the pets we love.
“These retailers are so much more than just a point of purchase. They are critical to the relationship pet owners have with their pets and fill so many roles – a friendly ear, a trusted confidante, an experienced advisor and a source of innovation.
“We launched National Pet Shop Day as a way of saying thank you to these businesses for all that they do, and to encourage more pet owners to explore the range of affordable wellbeing support and care services they have on their doorstep.
“It’s been humbling and incredibly rewarding to see the support that this initiative has received from the retailers themselves, and from the communities in which they operate.
“We genuinely hope that by championing the nation’s pet shops and stores, and celebrating the benefits of shopping with them, we will continue to help give animal lovers the confidence they can handle their pet’s conditions effectively and efficiently, without always breaking the bank.”
Gwynn added that National Pet Shop Day will become an annual event.
