Portland Pet Supplies and Hardware

Portland Pet Supplies and Hardware has been part of the local community for over 20 years, proudly serving customers from our shop on Easton Square, Portland, Dorset. We have a long-standing tradition of offering friendly, knowledgeable service and quality products to suit all budgets. Our focus has always been on supporting pet owners with honest advice and ensuring their animals have access to the best care possible.

When we heard there was going to be a national day celebrating independent pet retailers, we thought it was an excellent idea and were keen to get involved. At the same time, we wanted to keep things simple and cost-effective, as the day fell on a Saturday when we only open for a half-day operation.

How We Celebrated

In the run-up to National Pet Shop Day, we promoted the event on social media and displayed the official posters to raise awareness. We decorated the shop with bright balloons, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and ran a raffle for two weeks leading up to the big day, which helped to generate local excitement.

On the day itself, we offered free samples for cats, dogs, and small mammals, which were a particular hit with our customers who keep rabbits and guinea pigs, as they can sometimes be overlooked. We also ran special discounts across selected products to reward our regulars and encourage new visitors to give us a try.

The response was really positive. Those who came along loved the samples and the friendly buzz in the shop, and our raffle winner was delighted. We even kept some of the tasters available during the following week so that customers who couldn’t make it on the day could still join in the fun.

Our Plans for 2026

We’re already planning to take part in National Pet Shop Day 2026 and expect to do something similar again. The materials provided by Johnson’s, from posters and balloons to goody bags and digital resources, made it easy to take part, even for smaller shops like ours. It’s a great initiative that helps highlight the role independent pet retailers play in their local communities, and we’re proud to be part of it.

Final Thoughts

Taking part in National Pet Shop Day was a great experience for us and our customers. It created a real sense of community and celebration, while the support materials from Johnson’s Veterinary Products helped make everything look professional and engaging. The online resources were particularly useful, especially for making the event child-friendly. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year – bigger and better!