First off, I need to preface this by saying that I did NOT purchase a dog or any other animal here…read more I already have two wonderful dogs, both of them rescues from local shelters. I've noticed that most of the negative reviews are about animal purchases, so I just wanted to put that out there up front :-) I am reviewing the products and store experience as well as the Pet Spa located in their Lynn location.
I recently found this place and I'm glad I did because they carry the dry food that I use for my pups (Evo), and they are a 5 minute drive from my house, so I no longer have to make 20-30 minute drives into Boston to get pet food. Yes, I am kind of a food snob when it comes to feeding my dogs -- nothing but the best for them, and if you are a good pet owner and do your research about pet food, you will find out that brands like Iams, Science Diet, etc., are NOT good dog food brands. Of course, your dog will eat them, but that's just because they don't know better. Please, be kind to your dogs and help extend their life and improve their health by feeding them premium, quality dog food. Pet Express carries a lot of the 'better' brands -- in addition to Evo, there's California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova, etc. They don't just carry dry and wet food, but also organic and healthy dog treats (my dogs' favorite is Zuke's) as well as toys, chews, rawhides. etc. Now, don't get me wrong, this stuff is all more expensive than the stuff you'd find at a Petco or PetSmart, but like I said, it's worth it. I love the variety of brands they carry, and though more expensive than non-premium stuff, the prices are fair and reasonable for the product. The store is also very nicely organized and clean, two things I can really appreciate.
We also brought our two dogs here to be groomed in their Pet Spa. Please note that they don't groom on Sundays and as you can imagine, they're quite busy on Saturdays (and are closed by 6pm during weekdays), so call ahead if you want a Saturday appointment. Neither of our dogs have long hair that needs grooming, so we got them both baths, and they had their ears and bum cleaned, and their nails clipped. They both came out smelling nice and fresh, with cute bandannas tied around their necks, looking as happy as can be. The groomer commented on how well behaved they were, and I was glad to hear they were happy the whole time they were there. if you are a first-time customer, bring your vet papers with you, because you will need to show proof that your animal has all the requisite shots in order to be groomed. The cost varies per dog, but we paid $38 for our larger dog and $32 for our smaller dog.
Of course, it is impossible to walk into the store without being immediately drawn to their wall of adorable puppies. I felt bad for them, watching them run around and get all excited in their glass enclosures. It breaks my heart that they have to be in there, but I know they will all find homes eventually, so that eases my heart a little.
The staff here is also friendly and helpful. We like coming here and bringing the dogs with us. We let them sniff around and "choose" their own treats, and the staff is always friendly with them, giving them belly rubs and treats.