While a pandemic has had us staying home more and more, we have had to find different ways to keep ourselves entertained. We have organized and donated lots of unused items. We have picked up new hobbies — I now sew masks whenever I’m bored. And like many, we decided we needed some extra furry friends to help keep us company.Â
In the last six months we have adopted a rabbit, a kitten, and a second dog to add to our little family. So naturally, when we do venture out of the house, we have found ourselves wandering into many pet stores these days. We have certainly taken advantage of online shopping, and we have found plenty of adorable toys and yummy treats at Target, Chewy, Petco, and Petsmart. However, we always love finding locally owned shops that allow us to spoil our furry friends and help support this community that we love in the process.Â
Here are our top five local pet shops to make sure all your pets feel extra loved on Christmas morning.
Land of Paws is a pet store owned by veterinarians. They have two locations, one at Deer Creek and one at Corinth Square, and consider themselves an upscale pet boutique. They have locally made treats, tons of toys, and everything else your fluffy friend could need from a new leash to a stylish Chiefs jersey.
Three Dog Bakery is always a favorite spot for finding a fancy gourmet puppy treat that looks just as gourmet as you would find in your favorite people bakery. Of course they also carry plenty of unique toys and chews that are sure to help fill your pup’s Christmas stocking. Visit their store on the Plaza or in Leawood.
KC Pet Project has a brand new facility located near Swope Park that really is just amazing. You can go and check out some new furry friends to add to your family or just shop their selection of toys, treats, and more for those four-legged companions and even some cute KCPP apparel for yourself. They even have The Roasterie coffee shop where you can come and grab a coffee before heading over to the nearby off-leash dog park.
Brookside Barkery & Bath offers self-service dog bathing so you can keep your bathroom free of the mess. With locations in Brookside and Lee’s Summit, they carry some awesome all-natural pet products that our pets love. Plus they have adorable toys like this Huggle Hound Gnome that will definitely be in my dog’s stocking this year.Â
PawsAbilities KC provides jobs and skills training for individuals with special needs. They make treats, bandanas, and toys. This is a great way to treat your pets and help an unique organization.Â
And one bonus:Â
Finding places that carry supplies for rabbits has been a bit tricky. Waldo Grain Co. is a local family-owned business that has been around since 1915. While they might not be as fancy as some of the other shops, they have all the feed, hay, and grain you would need to keep your rabbits, birds, horses and more happy and all for a great price.Â
Merry Christmas to all, including our pets!