Welcome to the 2025 PETS+ Big Survey! Or perhaps we should say, welcome to the PETS+ Amusement Park! After all, this past year has been a wild ride for independent pet retailers and service providers because of elements well beyond their control — evolving government regulations, supply-chain disruptions and regular recalls, just to name a few factors contributing to uncertainty in the industry. Despite it all, though, the more than 500 independent pet retailers and service providers who took our survey reported plenty of happiness, fulfillment and profitability. We thank each and every owner and top manager who gave us their time. Your input has allowed us — for the fourth year in a row — to take an in-depth look at how pet indies are doing business. And special thanks to returning sponsor SUPERZOO! — BY PAMELA MITCHELL, CHRIS BURSLEM, CANDACE D’AGNOLO & VICTOR CANTAL WHAT’S INSIDE Basics Performance Selling & Buying You, the Pet Pro The Future Giving Back Pick the amusement park ride that best describes how you like to run your business: 27% Tea Cups The ride may be rotating, but I excel at controlling my business’s speed and direction. 32% Ferris Wheel I prefer to maintain a slow, steady pace on a familiar route. 12% Bumper Cars I try to avoid being hit, but enjoy “bumping” challenges out of my way. 27% Roller Coaster Hands in the air! I embrace the unpredictable ups and downs and twists and turns at varying speeds. 2% Drop Tower AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
