Pet Naturals Store of the Month: The Pet Food Warehouse

By Stephanie Noordewier

When a dog trots into Vermont’s Pet Food Warehouse I would imagine the song “Don’t Worry Baby” by the Beach Boys is cued to start playing upon entrance. “Don’t worry baby, everything will work out.” ‘Welcome to Pet Food Warehouse, Vermont’s Favorite Pet Food & Supply Store Since 1983!’ the sign would read as he starts to drool with a goofy look on his face.

Both stores located in South Burlington and Shelburne, Vermont are truly dual meccas for pets. These large stores, stocked with high-quality pet foods and supplies and 42 knowledgeable employees, are a great place to spend your afternoon shopping for your pup.

Their ‘local is best’ attitude is especially refreshing. With a selection of local products to support the ‘buy local’ movement Vermonters, including our locally made Pet Naturals nutritional supplements, they have a huge variety of stock.

PFW even features a helpful rating system mapped out on their website to save you time. Customers can visit the website and identify whether the food they are interested in is frozen, canned, freeze-dried, or an after dinner treat. Unsure what to buy? They have category of ‘PFW Picks’ to provide friendly suggestions.

Still not impressed? “Inventory and smarts is nice, but when I’m looking for a committed relationship with a store I want a store with heart,” you say. Hold your horses. Another reason to stand behind PFW is their compassionate active role in the Vermont-community.

Every year Pet Food Warehouse co-sponsors a big charity event at Shelburne Museum called “Shelburne Museum Goes to the Dogs.” During the event, guests can be entertained watching demonstrations by police dogs, hunting dogs and dancing dogs or enjoy the annual parade full of creative, colorful costumes.

The fun is followed by a raffle sponsored by Pet Food Warehouse and the Shelburne Museum. Names of non-profit organizations are drawn from a hat, and the select winning charities split the proceeds raised to help them buy supplies.

Pet Food Warehouse also regularly donates much-needed food and accessories to local humane societies and animal rescue groups. Marketing and Advertising Manager Valerie Nikel said, “We set aside money every year to sponsor events and give cash directly to programs. We also have the Pet Professional Discount Program so members of non-profit organizations can get discounts at the store.”

Locally owned and celebrating their 30th year in 2012, PFW is stocked with great deals and is a resource of knowledgeable, caring employees. “Pet Food Warehouse really tries to educate our staff so they can educate consumers, and we try to tailor everything to the needs of the specific pets,” says Valerie.

As a place that puts a lot of energy into great customer service, it’s no wonder that PFW’s customers keep coming back. For its consumer-conscious perspective and socially responsible attitude, Pet Naturals adds our vote to the Pet Food Warehouse roster to celebrate this Pet Naturals’ Store of the Month.