New research released in advance of National Pet Shop Day has revealed that 67% of pet owners think independent pet shops are important to their community, yet only 12% name an independent as their main source of pet products.
The study by Johnson’s Veterinary Products, organisers of the annual campaign, shows a worrying gap between consumer sentiment and actual shopping behaviour, with 19% of pet owners saying they never visit their local pet shop in a typical month but 57% saying they would be upset if it closed.
Returning for its third year on Saturday July 11, National Pet Shop Day is calling on pet owners to turn appreciation into action and is giving independent retailers a range of support for the national platform.
Retailers who register for the campaign will receive a free promo pack, access to a dedicated PR and social media toolkit, and a listing on the National Pet Shop Day interactive map. An in-store promotion running on the day itself will give pet owners who visit their local participating shop the chance to win a £500 voucher for a pet-friendly holiday with Pets in Pyjamas, while a separate competition will reward the best celebratory activities on the day, with £500 voucher prizes for the three winning retailers.
Paul Gwynn, chairman of Johnson’s Veterinary Products, said: “The research tells us what independent retailers have always known. Pet owners trust their local shop, value its advice, and would genuinely miss it if it disappeared. National Pet Shop Day is a reminder that trust alone won’t keep these businesses open. We need people to act on it.”
More than 500 independent shops across the UK took part in last year’s event, and registration for 2026 is now open. Retailers can register at nationalpetshopday.co.uk or by speaking to their local Johnson’s area sales representative.
