Animal Connection II

Much under scored store of pet supplies. It’s a pretty good sized store. They have lots of varieties in treats, toys, and food. Very competitive prices on offer good. Picked up a bag of Acana and couple of dog toys.

I recommend Animal Connection II (AC II) on Washington because:
— Convenience (locale): If you like the pet supplies store near where you live (aka walking distance) that’s always the better choice over driving to one of the chain stores. I started going to AC II because it is a 10 minute walk from my place. (While there are other stores now closer to me, once a loyal customer I have no motivation to stray or because it is a shorter walk (I’m not THAT lazy).
— Convenience (hours): AC II is open 7 days a week. Hours are reasonable. Beware: they close early on Sunday, like 5 pm early. Pffft… IMO a store should not be closing so early on weekends, that’s when we shop. 7 pm is a better closing time.
— Good Selection: Don’t let the small exterior fool you. AC II crams every square inch floor to ceiling with product.
The store has all the different foods offered by Canadian, U.S., (and questionable regions of the world, aka China, if you buy mostly on price). Cat, dog, rodents, AC II has stuff for all members of your family.
Tons of accessories too: clothes (fashion, utility, sports, and even bad boy leathers — with spiked collars to match), bejeweled collars, and harnesses for Dachshunds.
USA, USA, USA: When I asked once, a staff member told me that people are in fact avoiding foods and treats that originate from China. AC II does not stock many «Made in China» foods and treats, which is a good thing to me.
Bonus Tip: Carefully read all packaging and labels. IMO avoid anything that appears to have been craftily written by lawyers, meaning the label implies «Made in the USA» but if you read the fine print on the back it actually says «packaged in the U.S.»
Free advice: avoid products that that do NOT clearly state «Produced in USA» or «100% USA produced» or «Made in (insert state here).» When in doubt ASK. The AC II employees know which products are made where.
Bonus Tip: Usually, but not always, a higher price indicates a U.S. produced edible (because production costs are higher in the U.S., that can’t be avoided). All this opinion, only you can decide what’s more important, saving a few bucks or keeping your pets out of harms way. Here’s an example of the «China Treat Scandal» —
…
Return Policy: If your beast does not like the food, or if you are unhappy with it (e.g., after purchase saw a bad review on the Net), save the receipt and packaging. Return the food to AC II and it will give you full credit to buy something else. That’s a good return policy, IMO.
Punch Card: For each $ 1 spent ON FOOD or LITTER (only) they punch a little card (size of a wallet biz card). After specified punches (each $ 100) you get $ 7 credit toward buying accessories, which includes treats. The card records up to $ 260 in purchases, but you can redeem the card after reaching the $ 100 mark.
Knowledgeable and Friendly: AC II employees are nice to everyone, but once a regular the staff gives you a special howdy do. That’s a nice touch.
Also helpful, the staff knows their products. Need corn or grain free food, staff knows which is which and where it is inside the store. Heard about something on TV, they know if the store stocks it. Did the dogs bark at you to not come home unless you bring treats, AC II has plenty in stock, of all shapes, flavors, and size (including those giant bones are bigger than standard Dachshund.
Update: Since I started going to AC II I noticed a few new competitors have opened, e.g., one across from Trader Joes and CVS on Hyde. While that is far closer, I am a loyal customer and don’t stray from that with which I am familiar. (I know where everything is located at Animal Connection II, I know the prices, I know how long it takes to walk down and up the hill.) I have never got a bum or damaged product from the store.
Most important, once I establish a relationship with a retail business that has competitors I don’t look elsewhere to shop, not even if it is to save $ 10 monthly on products or save a few hundred footsteps.
For newbie neighbors, check out all the stores in the neighborhood. You should use the factors and features mentioned in here to decide who will be the go-​to pet supplies store for you. And if you like driving (yuck!) there’s many stores at which you can shop. Petco, Pet Food Express, Costco, Target, all the chains have stores out in the sticks (about 1200 sticks the last time I measured).
The choice is yours. I’m just gabbing about AC II.

LOVE the Animal Connection II! My husband and I go out of our way to patronize them. Long may they remain in business. Very polite and nice staff, A plus!

I can’t express enough how nice it is to be greeted by friendly, helpful staff at a neighborhood business like Animal Connection II. The staff are generous with treats if you bring your furry friend (s). Lots of variety in treats, food and accessories. Their food prices seem reasonable in comparison to big box stores, and I like supporting local businesses.

Store is never open on time ever. For a small business you’d think they would be on top of things. Going to have to start going to the big companies

I come here often and no matter who is working, the employees are always incredibly helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Prices are about the same as a chain like Petco, so I get to support a local business and not have to pay more for it! The store is small, but they actually do have a great selection and I’ve never left without the product I came looking for. Can’t say enough good things about Animal Connection II.

Animal Connection has everything going for it. Friendly staff, huge selection and great prices. I only shop at independent pet stores — hate those chains that say they have great service and prices and don’t have either. This is the place to go.

They sell all types of stuff for guinea pigs, which other stores don’t have as much of – like Oxbow food and hay. I thought I would change it up and go to Pet Central in Chinatown to get pellets for my guinea pig. While the staff at PC were really nice, I noticed that the guinea pigs they were selling looked a bit ill. Then I read the reviews on Unilocal.I couldn’t believe it. To sum this up: Animal Connection II is a much better pet store and it doesn’t sell pets – and I think, from what I’ve experienced as a pet owner, it is not a good idea to buy animals from pet stores. I highly recommend Annimal Connection II as a trustworthy pet SUPPLY store.

Great prices and fantastic team — love these guys. Everyone is so helpful and genuinely cares about you and your pet. Can’t say enough!

Must update this review — my dogs love, LoVe, LOVE this place; to them, running down the hill and into Animal Connection is the highlight of their day, really, seriously, they’re goofy like that.
Sadly, Blondie is no longer with us; and because both Emma and I were so broken hearted losing the Booh, we both decided to foster/​adopt Spirit. Spirit is a blind white shepherd and when bringing him home on his first day with us, I wanted to get him sensitized and acclimated to my building and surrounding area. I started him off at the Animal Connection because I couldn’t think of a better place to introduce and welcome him.
That 1^st day we circled the block, from home to Animal Connection II and back, home, Animal Connection II and back, we did this at least 5+ times — I wanted Spirit to get use to the smells and the sounds around our home and street.
It is now 5 months later and my little guy knows his way to Animal Connection and can walk down the hill and inside all by himself. It is the cutest thing to watch a BLIND white shepherd run down (or up depending our direction) the hill and run directly into the store.
Spirit has the store mapped out in his head, and the very first thing he does when he gets inside the store is go around the counter to greet who ever may be behind the counter. I am pretty sure his favorite store clerk is Chris — Chris gives Spirit lots and lots of love (and so does the rest of the gang), and without a doubt Spirit remains at his side and often times refuses to come to me when called.
With regard to the service of the store employees, what can I say, I’m biased — my little ones are spoiled rotten and Animal Connection always has what we need and the employees are always happy to see my fur-​babies. They have their store favorites and my little darlings are on that list.
But really, the employees are very knowledgeable, helpful, suggestive and always spot on with what you are looking for. Go check them out, you’ll be glad you did.

It’s funny (not really) but I’ve known about this store for years and years; I used to buy and board my parrot at an Animal Connection they owned on Judah. At any rate, I have had a cat for 11 years and have been buying food in Marin — a chore in itself. I stopped in Animal Connection on a whim one Saturday (it’s the area I run errands on weekends) and couldn’t believe the great prices! Everything here was anywhere from 20 to 30 cents less vs. Marin and litter was $ 5 less. I bought a scratching post here and they delivered it at no charge.
I’ve been shopping there about a year now (I keep thinking of all the money I’ve wasted); everyone is extremely polite, knowledgeable and, more importantly, loves animals (staff tends to stay forever).
I highly recommend this store for everything pet related. It’s one of the best independent pet supply stores I’ve ever been in, and since I’ve always had pets, I buy a lot of supplies.

This local store is a great locally owned store & they go 1 step further to try to source their products locally!
1. 5 star Customer service: We walked in, told Daniel what we needed (a tall cat tree ~6 feet with at least 3 feet of sisal rope.) Daniel helped us look through their current shipment where we found many ‘close’ but not perfect options. Daniel then got out his handy book where he offered to special order from the manufacturer that is also local!
2. 5 stars for sourcing products locally!
3. 5 stars for getting creative with custom made products!
4. 5 stars for only making me wait 1 week for my special order :-)
They also had a lot of other pet products, and I will be back to this store. It was also 3:30pm on a Tuesday. There was plenty of street parking.

This store is right down the street from me. I started going to it when I moved to the neighborhood in Jan this year. This store has nice staff. Ive only seen two different people working here, both of them were very helpful and very nice. They are very knowledgeable about the foods they carry.
They always have what I need in stock. I’m usually just buying cat food or cat litter, but I have noticed they have a large selection of food and supplies for other animals too, dogs and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some bird stuff and small critter supplies as well.
They had a variety of different cat foods and litters. They also have a pretty good size selection of cat toys! It’s hard to leave without grabbing your kids some toys too!
I like that they have a little discount card. At each visit they use their hole punch to punch out the amount you spent that time, and when your card is full ($ 100) you get a $ 7 credit on any pet accessories. It’s a nice little perk since I always have to buy my babies food and supplies!

Never would I have thought that I would be posting a review about a pet store, especially one that is as enthusiastic and passionate as this one will be. The customer service at this store is exceptional. I will gladly be coming back for all my kitten needs, even if prices on Amazon are cheaper!
Good things
— Customer service: I already mentioned that it was exceptional, but it really is because the workers are so informative and helpful. I adopted a kitten a little while back and have been trying to figure out which wet food to feed her. He explained to me the health benefits of the other brands vs. Fancy Feast, which was the can I was originally opting for. Though most shop owners will sell you on the most expensive brand because it makes economical sense for them to do so, I felt that he genuinely wanted me to have the best for the animal. He even introduced me to less expensive brands that were still better than the Fancy Feast, so that was great info to have.
— Variety of items: Another review mentioned how the place isn’t as small as it seems, and it definitely isn’t. I went to Petco a few days ago and it definitely wasn’t as well stocked (in ANY of the items).
Other notes
— So prices are a little more expensive than if I were to get them on Amazon (like for toys/​canned food, etc.) but there’s a convenience factor here
— One of the workers speaks fluent Russian so if anyone finds that useful…
Great place!

Helpful, friendly staff that has your furry friends’ best interest in mind. Gotta love that!
Came here real quick for a couple errands. Didn’t get to thoroughly check out their stock however, seemed great. Will be back!
Parking can be easy or difficult depending on the time of day.

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!
Called this store to inquire about the price of their cat food there and he was extremely rude! The only reason I call is because I have twin babies and the aisles of their store were so tight that I can’t bring my twins with me. I can’t possibly leave my babies outside the store??!
He said Petco has been calling them and asking about the price of their pet food. I had Sesame street blasting in my apartment because my twins were watching it and he thought I was PETCO?! Really, guy???
Then I asked him why he was not helpful while when I was there a few days ago to buy cat litter, a lady that was on the counter was very helpful, he said «Well, she’s not suppose to do that, I’m going to have a talk with her!» and then he was being an A class A**hole and hung up the phone on me.
I’m all about supporting Local stores… but a guy like this SHOULD NOT be answering phones at all. I hope he’s not the owner because if he was, he sure is not running a good business AT ALL!!!
I’ll have to just take my business and find another local store with better customer service then… Thanks, Animal Connection II. Even animals treat people nicer.

I’ve tried to support local businesses as much as possible but due to difficulties getting the supplies I want on a regular basis, I wound up going to a local chain since they always had what I needed, plus their «buy 3, get the 4^th free» deal *ahem* seemed pretty worthwhile.
I went to Animal Connection a few times as it was nearby, but wasn’t about to make it my sole source yet. But I went this past weekend since I only needed one bag (instead of four) of a particular food, and after talking to the extremely helpful staff, going over their supplies, getting some prices, and also finding out they would order anything I wanted and start stocking it regularly if I became a regular customer, I realized how much better this store was.
It looks small when you walk in initially but don’t let it fool you. There’s a lot of room in the back and even a second room off of the back with more food and litter than you can shake a stick at. This place is *packed* and they have a lot of options (a problem I had with the other small local business I used to shop at which wound up driving me to the larger chain).
I’ve done the number crunching and really, this place is a far better bang for your dollar, which you wouldn’t expect when you’re comparing small local to medium sized chain. Between the variety, the fact that they’ll carry every food I buy, and the friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff, I will make this place my goto pet store for all my cat food needs.
(note: they carry a good amount of raw food for cats and dogs!)

Reasonable prices, helpful staff, and it’s packed with merchandise for not just dogs, but cats too. The guys here even help me carry out a 40lb. bag when I have to. If you’re buying food, the case discount really helps. They have a much larger variety of flavors in the food I feed my cat than other local stores like Bow Wow Meow.
Besides, it’s a local small business. I’ve been checking out other neighborhood pet shops like Bow Wow Meow – which is more dog-​centric and higher priced – but I will never shop at a place like Petco again!

Support local business!
Period.
I’ve been a loyal customer for the last 5 years. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff keep me coming back. When I had to change my cats dry food they made great recommendations and gave me a couple of free samples to help me figure out what Emma would eat. Their prices are in line with the big box stores and other specialty pet stores, so why not support a great small business?

I love this place. I think I love it a bit too much, since I seem to find myself in there almost every weekend since I discovered it. I like this location much better than the one on Chestnut St. The (?)owner is super nice and helpful. She helped me pick out a great carrier for my little chi mix; she traveled to and from Florida without a peep (that is, after I struggled to get her in there). Much to my chagrin, I was advised by my dog walker to get my little girl a jacket or sweater of some sort; I had been adamantly against dogs in clothes (um, isn’t that what fur is for?). But, since I wanted what is best for Roxie, I caved and got her a cute little fleece from Animal Connection II. My main stipulation was that the jacket thing not be pink, or look prissy/​frilly; they delivered with a cute lime green mini-​snuggie looking thing.
So, yes, I know I’ll be back to this store, since it’s so irresistible, and I seem to love spoiling Roxie. And, I’m a fan of supporting quality small businesses, which this place happens to be.