Tim Collins

Contributor

With the legalization of cannabis products in Canada, it seems that dispensaries for the product have sprouted up everywhere. So much so that they barely draw any notice and have become an ordinary, and some may argue, long-overdue feature of our society.

But what about our four-legged friends?

Until now you would have been hard pressed to find a pet store that provided the same consideration for our non-human friends. ItB次元官网网址檚 a situation that Leo Powell and Jordan Illingworth were determined to put right and, with the opening of their second The Pet Store location, they have done just that.

Their new store includes a catnip dispensary, the first on Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淲e offer a number of different strains for cats. Some amp them up and give them energy while others calm them down,B次元官网网址� said Powell. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e basically herbs, and they have a number of health benefits for cats.B次元官网网址�

Apparently, the herb mixtures are also safe for dogs and can have a calming effect, help with stomach and kidney problems and aid in weight loss for those pups who just canB次元官网网址檛 get to the gym as often as theyB次元官网网址檇 like.

And if the concept of a catnip dispensary seems a bit Avant Garde for a pet store, you probably havenB次元官网网址檛 visited The Pet Store or spoken to Powell or Illiingworth.

B次元官网网址淲e are not the run-of-the-mill pet store,B次元官网网址� said Powell. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e have a boutique approach that reflects our passion for our pets.B次元官网网址�

He points to the fact that The Pet Store does not sell the generic quality dog food that one might find at the grocery store or, for that matter, most vets.

B次元官网网址淔eeding your dog that food is roughly the equivalent of you eating nothing but fast food for your entire life and wondering why you have medical problems,B次元官网网址� Powell said. B次元官网网址淲e sell the five best types of kibbles, single ingredient treats, raw food and freeze-dried nutrition supplements.B次元官网网址�

You can only feed a dog overly processed food for so long before you run into issues. You can pay for good food now, or you can pay the vet bills in five years.B次元官网网址�

Of course, The Pet StoreB次元官网网址檚 unique approach to pet store operation transcends both the catnip dispensary and the healthy pet foods. They also provide pet care advice, training, a free dog wash (theyB次元官网网址檒l provide comfy towels), and even valet B次元官网网址渂arkingB次元官网网址� where customers can park their car and have the dog food delivered out to them. As an added bonus, if your dog is with you (and why wouldnB次元官网网址檛 they be) they get a free pupichino B次元官网网址� drive-through style.

In truth, this unique pet store approach shouldnB次元官网网址檛 come as a surprise.

After all, Powell and Illingworth are the creators of Day of the Dog (formerly known as Pet-A-Palooza). ThatB次元官网网址檚 the West CoastB次元官网网址檚 largest pet festival that has now expanded into the United States and itB次元官网网址檚 nothing but fun for dogs and their human friends. The event features a doggie pool party, corgi races, doggie superhero photos and a lot more.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e passionate about dogs and weB次元官网网址檝e cultivated our own style of making pets a part of the modern family,B次元官网网址� Powell said.

Given that Powell and Illingworth currently share their home with no less than six dogs B次元官网网址� Great Danes no less - that much is obvious.

The Pet Store has two locations, 2019 Cadboro Bay Rd. in Oak Bay and at 3845 Cadboro Bay Rd. in Saanich.