Sunday 12 October 2014


Barking Blondes: Pet Shops

Joanne Good and Anna Webb
Barking at the Moon 020 300x210 Barking Blondes: Pet Shops
Whilst many high streets across the country are struggling to survive, there is one corner of retail that appears to be thriving…..the local pet shop.
Benefitting from a surge in pet ownership here in Britain, the hound pound is booming. There’s a trend for a new breed of pet shop. Often they’ll be grooming services in-store, so owners can shop for their doggy essentials whilst Fido gets a quick wash and blow dry. Catering for the 21st century pet owner often desiring the latest “must have” items and a need for retail therapy, these boutiques reflect a demand that’s on the up.
We remember pet shops with sawdust on the floor and a distinctive aroma. Shop windows were often cruelly piled piled high with tortoises – scrabbling around, hoping they’d find a good home. Fascinating for kids on the way home from school but perilous for the poor tortoise. These days there’s much tighter rules on selling animals in stores. Licences must be granted, with shops adhering to strict standards in line with the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Here in London…along with the “laitte index” being used as a house buyers barometer ( the number of designer coffee shops in the area)….its the pet parlours that also contribute to affluence.
Actually, its not just the Metropolis, we were driving through Steyning in Sussex at the weekend and a groovy Pet Palace has taken over the extensive property once occupied by an estate agent!
On this week’s radio show we were joined by the new owners’ of Dr Doolittles 2 in South London – a landmark institution that’s stood proud over several decades. Set to re-open with a face-lift that’s changing the store – in line to new customer demands, legislation and a massive rise in pet ownership.
In complete contrast, we remembered the days of the controversial market of Pet Row. Once, part of the famous Petticoat Lane, vendors would sell all animals from goats to parrots in sparse conditions. Those that weren’t sold on the day, were often discarded to a miserable fate. Demonstrations and placards were a familiar sight until it was eventually closed down.
According to research by the PDSA, dog owners will spend around £15 a month on their beloved pooch, over and above the essentials. Often we’ll choose to treat our dogs, rather than ourselves as a way of re-paying our loyal companions for their unconditional love, and satisfying our urge to spend and desire to be immersed in the hound pound.
There is nothing our two  bull breeds love more than a deep sea wrap in a pooch parlour in Frognal…….the fact that we, ourselves, settle for a simple box of bath salts is an indication as to who is top priority!
With almost 20 million dogs and cats now living in the UK, quadruple the number in 2004, the pet industry is big business and valued at approx. £8billion. We’re still trailing way behind America where in 2013 pet owners spent $61billion dollars on their pets, but interestingly the pet industry here has bucked the recession, and is growing annually by 7.5%.
As the tidal wave of choice in pet care products comes across the pond, the UK looks set to follow suit. Back in the day poor Fido didn’t have nearly as much choice.
We boldly admit that our two mutts have as many collars as we have shoes…something to wear for every occasion. That’s as it should be.
Barking Blondes by Jo Good & Anna Webb, published by Hamlyn, £12.99www.octopusbooks.co.uk

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