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Pet Age Staff//July 1, 2026//
Pet Age Staff//July 1, 2026//
The inaugural Retailer Excellence Awards (REA), presented by Pet Age, celebrates the achievements and resilience of independent retailers across the nation, alongside the top sales representatives, vendor partners and wholesale distributors in the pet industry.
Though the awards program is centered on retailers, it honors several of their partners who help shape the pet retail landscape, from hard-working sales reps to the wholesale distributors and manufacturers whose products line pet store shelves.
It’s you, the members of the pet care community, who determined these honorees that are being recognized for their outstanding achievements in the pet industry. They were nominated throughout the months of February and March. The top five finalists were unveiled in May and votes were accepted through June 1.
After tabulating approximately 800 ballots, Pet Age is announcing and delving into the details of each REA winner and two runners-up who excel across nine niche categories. After reading about each winner, it is easy to understand why they’ve become so popular among their colleagues.
Pet Age is proud to recognize the outstanding standouts in categories that stretch across retail, sales, manufacturing and distribution.
WINNER:
Purrs McBarkin’ (Hartsville, SC)
Purrs McBarkin’ is an independent specialty pet nutrition store located in Hartsville, South Carolina. The store was founded with a simple goal: help pet owners make better decisions about what they feed their dogs and cats through clear, science-based education and carefully curated nutrition. According to Dave Zanoni, Purrs McBarkin’ founder and owner, his store focuses on ingredient transparency, nutritional quality and long-term pet wellness. Every product in his store is selected based on careful review of ingredient sourcing, protein quality, digestibility and overall nutritional value for dogs and cats.
A defining feature of Purrs McBarkin’ is the emphasis on education. As a Certified Canine and Feline Nutritionist, Zanoni works directly with customers to help them understand how nutrition influences common health issues such as chronic itching, digestive problems, obesity, kidney concerns, and food sensitivities. These conversations often help pet owners better understand ingredient labels, protein sources, and feeding strategies so they can make more informed choices for their animals. This educational mission also extends beyond the store through an online presence designed to support pet owners seeking reliable information.
Purrs McBarkin’ has become a trusted destination for pet owners seeking honest guidance and high-quality nutrition for their dogs and cats. By combining curated products, science-based education, and strong community connections, the store represents a specialty retail model built on transparency, knowledge, and genuine care for the wellbeing of pets.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Busch Pet Products (Cape Girardeau, MO)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Whiskers Holistic Petcare (New York, NY)
WINNER:
Hollywood Feed
Hollywood Feed began in the 1950s as a humble, local livestock and feed supply shop on the corner of Hollywood Street and Chelsea Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. Over the decades, it evolved from a traditional feed store into a trusted neighborhood pet store with a dedication to education. Every Feed Team member in its “pack” of employees undergoes over 40 hours of training annually with veterinarians, nutritionists, and pet behaviorists.
With more than 175 locations across 19 states, Hollywood Feed provides an assortment of American-made pet foods, regionally sourced treats, and other pet products that all meet Hollywood Feed’s high standards for use and consumption by its customers’ beloved pets.
Hollywood Feed has regularly been featured by Top Workplaces and Best Places to Work; was named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Retailers for 2022 (ranking No. 1 in the pet care category); and was named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service for 2024.
In addition to natural and holistic pet food and treat offerings, Hollywood Feed proudly features its own line of Georgia Smoked, Hollywood Feed Select Treats and Mississippi Made items including pet beds, collars, leashes, and more. Hollywood Feed locations are open 7 days a week all year, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Two Bostons
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Dogs & Cats Rule
WINNER
Odyssey Pets (Dallas, TX)
At Odyssey Pets, visual design has is about creating a feeling before a customer walks through the door. According to Odyssey Pets owner Sherry Redwine, window displays are one of the most important ways the store tells its story. Window displays encourage people to stop, smile, get curious, take a picture, call a friend over, and come inside to see what else the staff has created.
Over the years, displays have become a part of the store’s identity. Dramatic seasonal displays, educational product-driven windows, Texas-themed displays, nutrition-focused concepts and playful branded moments make people pay attention. Some are whimsical, some are funny, some are highly promotional, and some are designed to teach — but all of them are intentional.
What makes the store’s visual design successful is that it is never random. Window displays support promotions, highlight products, reinforce Odyssey’s brand voice, and create a sense of excitement around the store. Color, texture, scale, storytelling and how each display will look both in person and on social media are taken into consideration. At Odyssey Pets, windows are part theater, part merchandising and part brand experience. They help the store stand out in a busy retail environment and make it memorable long before a customer reaches the register.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
The Good Dog Shoppe (Kennesaw, GA)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Nieci’s Green Bites Pet Boutique (Augusta, GA)
WINNER
Two Bostons (Naperville, IL)
Social media is where Two Bostons’ community shows up, connects and keeps coming back. The retailer’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok channels bring each of Two Bostons’ store locations to life online, turning followers into participants and customers into community members.
One of its biggest successes is using social platforms to drive in-store experiences. Breed meet-ups, adoption events, enrichment pop-ups and seasonal celebrations are promoted through Instagram reels, TikTok videos, stories and Facebook posts. As part of a same-breed meet-up initiative, a Boston Terrier meet-up brought more than 20 Boston Terriers through the store, creating a lively, high-energy event that generated tagged content, shares, and requests for future breed-specific gatherings. Social promotion directly translated into in-store traffic and confirmed a strong demand for continuing this series.
Another key part of the retailer’s online strategy is the Pupfluencer community, a network of local pet ambassadors who actively engage with the brand, attend events and create authentic content across Instagram and TikTok featuring our stores and products. Two Bostons also showcases its team in #TipThursdays, which highlights real advice from the people that customers see in stores every day. By using social media to connect people, support local businesses and build lasting relationships, Two Bostons has created an online presence that drives real-world impact and brings joy to pet parents.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Petland Iowa City (Iowa City, IA)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Animal Connection LLC (Charlottesville, VA)
WINNER:
All Pets Considered (Greensboro, NC)
All Pets Considered has long been recognized as a cornerstone of its community — an independent pet retailer that not only meets the needs of local pet owners but anticipates them. This forward-thinking approach was on display with the launch of Catsboro Fest on February 28, 2026: a first-of-its-kind, cat-exclusive event that celebrated the rising popularity of feline companionship while reinforcing the company’s deep commitment to both education and community engagement.
By dedicating the entire event to cats, All Pets Considered created a welcoming environment where cat owners, enthusiasts and curious newcomers could connect together. The festival featured local rescue organizations, educational sessions on feline behavior and health, product demonstrations tailored to cats, and interactive experiences designed to enrich the lives of both cats and their humans. This intentional focus elevated the event beyond a typical retail promotion and positioned it as a meaningful celebration of feline culture.
Catsboro Fest also highlighted All Pets Considered’s role as a community hub. The company partnered with local shelters and cat advocacy groups to promote adoption and responsible pet ownership, reinforcing its mission to support animal welfare at every level.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Wag Heaven Pet Supplies (Georgetown, TX)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
woofmeow (Derry, NY)
WINNER:
Hollywood Feed (Memphis, TN)
Hollywood Feed supports animal rescues through in-store adoption events, donating over 100,000 pounds of food annually. In 2025, Hollywood Feed donated over $1.3 million dollars of products to area shelters and rescues. In response to recent natural disasters that brought destruction to families and their pets throughout the U.S., the retailer also launched its own Hollywood Feed Emergency Relief Fund that, in 2025 alone, collected more than $271,000 “round up at the register” donations.
Hollywood Feed hosts more than 900 adoption and fundraising events each year and partners with 600+ local rescues across the Southeast and Midwest. What’s more, Hollywood Feed sponsors various local dog parks to help pets socialize and enhance wellness.
In addition, Hollywood Feed prioritizes eco-friendly and local sourcing through exclusive, U.S.-made lines like Mississippi Made beds, collars and leashes. By repurposing surplus fabric from these beds to make leashes and collars, they demonstrate a commitment to being resourceful and limiting waste.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Petland Iowa City (Iowa City, IA)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
West Lebanon Feed & Supply (West Lebanon, NH)
WINNER:
Ingrid Oswald (SquarePet)
Ingrid Oswald joined SquarePet earlier this year as a Regional Sales Manager overing the Southeast territory. In this position, she has been lead ingsales efforts and distributor relationships across the region as SquarePet continues its nationwide expansion via retail partners. With nearly a decade of sales leadership and experience in the pet industry, Ingrid brings strategic vision and executional discipline that will accelerate SquarePet’s growth in the high-potential Southeast market.
Oswald oversees sales strategy and execution across the Southeast region, supports retail partner and distributor onboarding, and helps strengthen SquarePet’s retail presence. She also collaborates with marketing and operations teams to align product availability with consumer demand and ensure strong execution at retail.
Before joining SquarePet, Oswald built a successful career managing sales and distribution relationships for consumer pet brands including Augie Bones and Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, demonstrating strong performance in growth, account development and territory management. Her expertise aligns with SquarePet’s commitment to premium quality and customer satisfaction.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Tiffany Brenner (Pet Solutions Group)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Scott Deetsch (Performance Sales and Marketing)
WINNER:
Huxley & Kent
Founded in 2012, Huxley & Kent is a women-owned brand dedicated to designing and producing a wide range of fashionable and functional pet products, including on-trend toys, neckwear accessories, hats and harnesses. Perhaps best known for their complete birthday paw-ty product line of toys, hats and accessories, Huxley & Kent’s products are available at specialty pet stores nationwide, as well as online.
The brand also offers holiday collections for everything from Halloween and Christmas to St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Pride, 4th of July and more! The brand’s “Yappy Hour” and snack parody toys like “Barker’s Mark,” “Toto’s Pawdka,” “Kitty Klaw,” “Snif Peanut Butter” and many more are offered individually, as well as in curated collections for best retailer merchandising opportunities, and pet parents alike. The company is also dedicated to giving back through the Huxley & Kent Rescue Fund, supporting over 150 pet charities and causes across the U.S. since 2015.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Tucker’s
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Metropaws
WINNER:
Southeast Pet (Austell, GA)
Founded in 1975 by Greg and Holly Judge, Southeast Pet began as an aquatic supply company, Southeast Aquatics, in Atlanta, Georgia. Two years later, the company expanded beyond tropical fish into broader pet supplies. Today, it operates two massive distribution hubs in Austell, GA, and Lakeland, FL, servicing independent pet retailers across six states and the Caribbean.
In 2015, the founders sold 100% of the company to their employees as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) to protect staff jobs and secure the distributor’s independence. Southeast Pet operates exclusively in the independent pet retail channel, partnering with mid-sized, emerging and premium pet brands (such as Smalls and Wonder Bark) to provide unique products that compete with big box stores.
After leading the company for 50 years, founder Greg Judge transitioned to Chairman of the Board, passing the torch to his son Ryan Judge, who stepped in as CEO.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
John A. Van Den Bosch (Holland, MI)
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Zeigler’s Distributor (Lebanon, PA)
