Editor's Note

Enjoy the Ride of Our 2025 Big Survey

We chose an amusement park theme for our annual survey of independent pet retailers and service providers.

Published

17 hours ago

November 11, 2025

Pamela Mitchell PETS+ November-December 2025

WELCOME TO THE 2025 PETS+ Big Survey issue! Each year, we ask 75 questions of more than 500 independent pet retailers and service providers in the U.S. (A few Canadians also chime in.) The results, found on p.38-52 of our digimag and on petsplusmag.com, offer an in-depth look at how indies are doing business in the current economic and societal landscape, with its specific challenges and opportunities.

To reflect that current state, we chose an amusement park theme. We can all agree that 2024 and 2025 have been a wild ride amid evolving government regulations, supply-chain disruptions and regular recalls, as well as continuing technological advances such as AI — all of which have impacted the pet industry.

Special thanks again this year to those who join me on the Big Survey editorial team: Group Managing Editor Chris Burslem, Group Design Editor Victor Cantal and Columnist Candace D’Agnolo. And to the 500+ retailers and service providers who gave us 30 minutes or more of their valuable time! Note: In addition to providing insight and advice on results, D’Agnolo took the Big Survey for the first time this year as owner of newly opened Dante & Dory’s Pet Emporium. Congrats! And extra-special thanks to SUPERZOO, our returning Big Survey sponsor.

By the time you’ve received this print issue of PETS+, we will have begun to roll out digital extras to the 2025 Big Survey on our website and will continue to through November. Be sure to sign up for our Monday-Saturday ebulletin to get those additional insights and advice delivered direct to your inbox each morning. Go to petsplusmag.com/bulletins if you’re not already on the list.

Five Great Tips From This Issue That You Can Do Today

Create a Holiday Bingo card for your customers. (Calendar, p.8)
Turn inventory into a party! (To-Do List, p.10)
Get specific when thanking your employees. (Tip Sheet, p.34)
Reframe selling as helping, which will grow your confidence with customers. (Candace D’Agnolo, p.35)
De-emphasize brands who go grocery. (Teresa Miller, p.36)

P.L.A.Y. Media Spotlight

At P.L.A.Y. — Pet Lifestyle & You — toy design is definitely a team effort! Watch PETS+ interviewer Chloe DiVita and P.L.A.Y.’s Director of Sales Lisa Hisamune as they talk about the toy design process, the fine-tuning that makes each toy so special and why every P.L.A.Y. collection is made with independent retailers top of mind.