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| Having an animal companion can lower our blood pressure (such as when watching the activity in an aquarium); encourage us to get more exercise (by having a dog to walk); and even make us laugh (by witnessing a parrot’s comedic antics). Having the wrong pet, of course, can do exactly the opposite, so making the right match is crucial. Having the right materials to take care of the pet with is a must. David Engler and his staff at Petland are dedicated to matching the right pet with the right family, as well as offering all of the necessary products that those pets will need. Petland has been around for more than 40 years. It began franchising in the 1970s. The store in Omaha, which is located on the southwest corner of 120th and West Center (next to Baker’s), opened in 2003. David took over the operation in December 2008 after searching for a business that he could be passionate about and would make him feel energized when he wakes up each morning. “There is a magic about pets,” David says. David relates Petland’s mission: “Our pet counselors are dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To our customers who already have pets, we are dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond.” He explains that every staff member goes through intensive training when first hired, and continues to learn through experience and additional education. All employees are taught the four basic needs of every animal that Petland carries: nutritional, environmental, and behavioral needs, as well as maintenance. Each employee uses this training when talking with customers, and then passes along their knowledge in these four areas to ensure the person and the pet have the best relationship possible. “It ensures that the new owners understand what is needed to keep their pet happy, healthy, and safe,” David says. “We have two other sayings here, which are ‘Petland pets come first,’ and ‘Petland pets make life better.’” He adds that these taglines really embody the company’s commitment to quality in their service, products, and pets. One very public concern that has been in the media recently is puppies that come from puppy mills. David says Petland is very careful about where their puppies come from. He explains that all Petland puppies come from USDA licensed and inspected breeders or from brokers who only source from USDA licensed and inspected breeders. Petland keeps a copy of the breeder’s license, as well as documents from the most recent USDA inspection. In addition, Petland has their own book of standards that suppliers must agree to follow. They must have a veterinarian review the facility and sign off on their findings before Petland will do business with them. When puppies arrive at Petland, their health is reviewed another time. “We go to great lengths to maintain the highest standard of animal husbandry to ensure our pets are the healthiest pets available,” says David. If there is a diagnosed issue, the puppy is returned to the breeder. Customers are allowed to review the most recent health check before purchasing a puppy, and David says that each puppy will be seen by a licensed veterinarian at least twice before being put up for sale. He goes on to say that the benefits of a Petland puppy include things like micro-chipping (every puppy and kitten at Petland is chipped for lifelong identification); a solid warranty; tips for basic training (including a DVD and 24/7 live phone support, which is an $80 value); a free initial veterinarian visit; a free puppy “spa” treatment; a discounted spay or neuter; and advice from their staff, who will take the time to make sure the right animal goes home with the right family, David says . “Every puppy will go to a home,” David tells me. Petland has a number of programs to make sure that their animals are cared for and loved for a lifetime, which includes the Pets for a Lifetime policy. “If for some reason an owner cannot keep their pet, they can bring it back to Petland and we will help them find a new home. Petland also offers a program called Adopt a Pet where local pet owners can bring in their unexpected litters of dogs, cats, and small animals in and we will help re-home them. Petland’s around the world have re-homed over 300,000 puppies and kittens,” says David. In addition to puppies and kittens, Petland offers a wide range of other pets including a variety of birds, small animals (like hamsters, ferrets, and rabbits), reptiles (such as snakes, lizards, and turtles), and fresh- and saltwater fish. Petland also carries food and accessories. As an independent retailer, David explains that they don’t carry a lot of different kinds of food, but rather a small selection of the “good-better-best quality.” He says this is helpful for customers since the enormous selection at other stores can be both overwhelming and confusing. Clients like the Greene family appreciate the quality of Petland’s pets and services. They tell me, “Having bought two dogs in the past from reputable breeders, we did not know what to expect from Petland. Our past experiences from breeders were not good.” The Greene’s go on to say, “From the moment that we walked into the store in Omaha, the staff was friendly and helpful. Our Goldendoodle (Calvin) is the nicest-temperament dog we have ever had, and we have owned pet dogs for over 30 years.” When Calvin was neutered, a minor medical issue increased the expected cost of the operation, but the Greene’s say that Petland stood behind its pet guarantee and gave them credit for the unexpected cost. “Though there are many pet stores closer (to our home), we will continue to do business with Petland in Omaha. In these times of so many people being uncaring, it is refreshing to finally do business with people who are so nice. The vet they referred us to is also top-notch. Again, one of the best we have encountered. All in all, a great experience!” Each staff member, who is a pet counselor rather than a salesperson, has his or her own pets at home. They understand, both through their training and their own personal experience, what it means to be a responsible pet owner and to have a loving relationship with an animal, David comments. While the weekend hours are often busy, David tells me they have multiple staff members on-hand to work with customers and to provide great customer service. Petland is active in the Omaha community, and works with Scouting groups and visits area schools. They also take pets to visit assisted living facilities. David says they have provided bullet- and stab-resistant vests to 10 police canines in Omaha through fundraising and direct gifts from Petland. Visit Petland Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., or Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 330-4466 or visit the Petland Web site at www.petlandomaha.com. |
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