Pet owners, animal enthusiasts and everyone else in the community is invited to join Pet Valu as they celebrate their Steinbach store expansion on Saturday, May 10.
“For the Grand Opening of our addition, we’re going to have a bit of an event,” says longtime store owner Barry Peters. “We’ll have a BBQ with hot dogs, chips and drinks, and it’ll be run by Steinbach & Area Animal Rescue with the help of Popcorn & Binkies Rescue Haven.”
Pet Valu has supported the Steinbach rescue since it was launched in 2013, facilitating donations, finding homes for foster cats and helping out with adoption clinics. At the front of the store, visitors will find a bin where they can donate new or used animal items for the rescue.
Popcorn & Binkies, as Pet Valu store manager Shanna Freynet explains, is a rescue for “pocket” or small-size pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits, as well as exotic animals.
Freynet, who has been with the store for 10 years, jokes that she knows her customers’ dogs at least as well as she knows their owners.
“I can say how old the dogs are and name some of their favourite treats,” she says. “We just love to get on the floor with the dogs and really make the moment special for them. It’s a definite perk of the job.”
One new – and sure to be popular – feature of Pet Valu’s expanded store is the dog wash, which can accommodate two dogs at a time.
“It’s very handy,” says Peters. “Come in, wash your dog and leave the mess behind.”
In addition to treats, toys and other supplies for dogs, cats and other common pets, Pet Valu also has much to offer for owners of fish, reptiles and small animals.
“We sell fish food, fish supplies and tank set-ups,” Freynet explains. “We sell reptile stuff, and stuff for rabbits and guinea pigs.”
They also carry frozen food, such as mice and rats, that exotic animals such as snakes require. And crickets and mealworms are also available for smaller snakes and lizards.
Peters and Freynet underline the fact that Pet Valu is Canadian, and that the Steinbach location is locally-owned and operated. They’re part of the Steinbach community, and they’re always happy to pitch in where they can.
“Pet Valu really understands the importance of supporting communities,” says Freynet, citing the Companions for Change initiative that’s raised more than $30 million nationwide.
Closer to home, Pet Valu fundraising has allowed the Winnipeg Humane Society to purchase a transport trailer and the Regina Humane Society to remodel their building. They also donated to pet support programs in the wake of the Alberta wildfires, and since 2015 they’ve been a proud sponsor of the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides.
“Our biggest event of the year is always Pet Appreciation Month, where we get to raise money for our local Steinbach & Area Animal Rescue,” Freynet says. Last year we raised more than $5,000. We’re really hoping to surpass that this year and support them with their new building. Supporting community is something we very much enjoy.”
Once again, Pet Valu will be celebrating the Grand Opening of their addition – which has doubled their floor space – with a BBQ lunch on May 10, and everyone is welcome. The store, located at 75-178 PTH 12 North, Steinbach, MB (in the Clearspring Centre), can be reached by calling (204) 326-6600, and additional information is available on their website.