Pet Valu Medicine Hat (photo courtesy Colton Mckee)

By Chantal Wagner

new family member

Pet supply sales up this year amid pandemic

Nov 24, 2020 | 4:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With people staying and working at home more this year, many households made the decision to add a pet to their lifestyle.

Which also created the need for pet supplies at pet stores.

Owner of Pet Valu in Medicine Hat Trisha Halubowich says they have definitely seen an increase in sales this year.

Right across the board, at both locations in the city. Especially when COVID-19 restrictions and public health measures were first announced in the spring.

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Sales came in waves, and they saw an increase throughout the summer.

Halubowich says pet supply sales were going strong, right to the point where she was recently able to hire more staff.

“In the initial times in the spring, we saw a lot of the kennels, toys, and getting set up for those new animals that were coming into the house. And so I think it’s been absolutely phenomenal for us and for the support of making sure these animals are set up correctly.”

She adds it’s important to have conversations about new pets, what their needs are, and the importance of not just getting them set up in the home, but with grooming, etc.

“We have a great team and they’re set and ready to help in the safest manner possible,” Halubowich added.

She says they’ve also started to see purchases for the Christmas shopping season since about September.