Hundreds of independent pet shops supported the third annual National Pet Shop Day last month, with the response from communities described by organiser Johnson’s Veterinary Products as “everything they had hoped for”.
Retail activity on the designated day of Saturday July 11 included photography pop-ups, charity raffles, interactive activities, free treats, goodie bags, in-store discounts and prize giveaways, with the overall theme of community engagement well supported despite the vent falling on one of the hottest days of the year.
The day also saw the presentation of the National Pet Shop Day Recognition Award, created to honour independent pet shops that go above and beyond for their customers, their communities and the animals they care for. This year’s award was presented to Coalville Pet Supplies in Leicestershire, nominated by Coalville Public Radio in recognition of the business’s decades of dedication to local people, charities, community organisations and animal welfare.
Paul Gwynn, chairman of Johnson’s Veterinary Products, said: “For over a hundred years, Johnson’s has stood alongside independent pet retailers, and we know how much they mean to the communities they serve.
“Seeing so many pet owners go out of their way to support their local shop, on one of the hottest days of the summer, says everything about the bond between these businesses and the people they serve. That is exactly what National Pet Shop Day is all about.”
The 2026 campaign was backed by trade bodies BIRA, PIF and new supporter OATA. National Pet Shop Day will return in 2027.
