TLDR: After years of loyal regular large orders, staff rudely dismissed my accessibility issue, were rude about me spending a lot at their store, and pushed me to stop shopping here altogether. I've been regularly shopping here for years with very large orders. This year I usually placed the orders online, but then I noticed an issue where some cans are only available to be purchased only "by the case" and not as singles, even though they actually were available as singles in the store. I politely explained the issue and started ordering through the phone to get around it. Then one day, over the phone, a cashier who I'm familiar with was extremely rude to me and told me that no one else is having that online issue. (I was shopping there for so long and didn't realize the issue until a couple of years, so I'm sure others have just been assuming things are out of stock, when in reality they are not.) I tried to explain to him what the issue was, but before I could even start he cut me off while I was speaking and said he would take my order and when we were done just hung up abruptly. I had always felt that staff were friendly before, but the unwillingness to address or even try to understand this issue and on top of that be rude to me unprompted was just so hurtful. It honestly hurts so much after being such a big supporter of them for years There is an element of ableism to this story too. As they know, the reason I only do online orders and have a friend pick them up is because I'm disabled. Their unwillingness to try to understand or address the issue I brought up is an issue of accessibility. This weighs so heavy on me. I would have been fine if they had told me they were looking in to it, and can't fix this issue right now, but just to call them. But with the rudeness on this call, the cashier made it clear that they didn't want me to make call orders. This effectively means I have to stop shopping at the store. Also, the three different cashiers I spoke to on the phone over the months I was phone ordering were aware of the website issue I brought up, so to ignore it was clearly a Howl team decision, not just a matter of one cashier being rude to me. But I did have many positive experiences here, which is why I was so loyal. Back when I used to go in person, the staff used to help me bring my order to the car and pack stuff in my car because I was not able to carry things. Everyone was so friendly to me. I also appreciated how they encouraged masking throughout the pandemic. I used to love going in to this store! I appreciated their selections and it made me happy. I would like to add that there was another uncomfortable experience I had at the store which I ignored since it wasn't that hurtful, but it's worth mentioning in this review. As I said, I place very large orders, because I have three cats that only eat wet food, and this was the only place I got their food from. One of the cashiers (different person than above) started routinely making comments to me about how much money I was spending on cat food. It wasn't just once or twice, he made these comments on the order of ten times. Then, one day my dad was in town and came into the store to pick up the order I had placed online. This cashier made comments to my dad about how much money I was spending on cat food. My dad then gave me a lot of trouble over it I just found those comments to be so inappropriate. Also they seemed to imply me spending money at their store was a bad or shameful thing. I've only ever been friendly to them! I've never been rude or to my knowledge done anything to be a bad customer. I have stopped shopping here. It doesn't really seem like I had a choice. They seem to not want my business for whatever reason. And what was once an accessible store to me is no longer. I think that hurts more than a store being inaccessible right off the bat, because I supported them heavily for so long and they knew me. So much for supporting small businesses. I never did any price comparisons before because I truly wanted to support them and not Amazon. But I found out that the cans I was ordering are cheaper elsewhere. I guess the Universe just wanted me to save some money. I hope they fix these issues. I won't be recommending Howl to anyone anymore. Thank you to Howl for all of the cat provisions throughout the years, and goodbye read more

If you're in the Hampden area and looking for a pet store, check them out! As a cat owner, I did not specifically look through the selection so can't say much but just upon walking in most of the items looked like it was for dogs. For cats, they have a small room dedicated and they even had free samples of kibble. They also have a cute kitty named Louis walking around greeting everyone! He was such a sweetheart and I would've stayed there petting him all day if I didn't have brunch reservations. The staff were super friendly and took a moment to chat with us as we loved up with Louis. The pricing here seemed comparable to other stores. read more

See all

We visited Howl on Chestnut Street. Very nice place! We had the best experience. We have a little 13 lb shiztu-poodle. We needed a very warm overcoat, a harness and shirt. It would have been a guessing game online, so we braved the big box pet stores. Only a few brands and cheezy quality. Hmmm. Did we need to have 2,000-3,500 lbs breaking strength on harness straps? Then, we learned about Howl. Michelle showed us the different assortment of harnesses. No fuss and no pressure. Whipped out a measuring tape and took us right over to a selection of outdoor wear. We figured out pieces we needed for year round use. She knows her business. They have great prices for food and a good selection. Supplies for your cat or kittens too. What they don't have in stock, they will order for you. Parking is behind the store. Delivery. Grooming too! And, Michelle teaches Force-free Training and Behavior Modification classes. Great vibes. Great staff. A *wonderful* locally owned and operated business. Our new store! read more

My cats can be picky eaters and it just so happens that they like one or two specific flavors of a pricey brand of cat food called "Wellness". I used to order big 24 packs of this food from online retailers like Chewy or Amazon but I kept having issues with unreliable deliveries and then finally, seemed to have received some tainted food from Amazon. It actually made my cat sick so I knew I had to find a better solution. I came into Howl and found the brand of food I needed conveniently located in the clearly marked "cat" room. The only issue was I needed a 24 pack of the specific flavors my cats like and they didn't have it preassembled, only individual cans. Luckily, one of the staff members grabbed an empty cardboard case for me and packed up the two flavors into a 24 pack. The price was comparable to online retailers and he even gave me a slight discount for buying the case. I appreciated how helpful he was in packing everything up and providing the discount. They have a rewards program which is nice for those of us who make regular pet purchases. I also realized that this spot has a parking lot in the back of the building - super convenient since the Hampden Avenue can get a bit hectic sometimes. All in all, I am was happy with the purchase and my cats were even happier. I'll definitely be back for more cat food in the near future. read more

Howl has a wide variety of food and supplies for dogs and cats. (They also have wild bird seed!!) The staff is very knowledgeable, eager to assist and pleasant. This has been my go to place for a decade. It's like visiting an old friend. read more

Good sélection of cat foods and supplies. Friendly staff. I've been trying to shop local, and Howl turned out to be a great choice.

I wish I could get my dog to write this review because he would give it two paws up. It's not often you can find a place that clearly loves dogs as much as I love my dog, but how old does that in spades. Here and getting to talk to the staff, I'm no longer buying my food off of a big box store, but I'm coming here. Getting a higher quality product at a comparable price and supporting a local business. What could you ask? read more

We use their Grooming services. Convenient location and Mia ? Is great with the pups. Thank you.

I stopped in her randomly after grabbing food in the area. After chatting with the staff I ended up specialty ordering some raw food for my dog. He loves it so I think I will be stopping here regularly going forward. Customer service can be a bit patchy, but since I know I will be back I am planning to update this review to see if I just caught them on a bad day. read more

Total waste of time.... Went to the store for a grooming appointment. Called my vet for shots etc.... made the appointment for a week later. I show up and then they decided to tell me it's a $25.00 add on fee bc my dog is older. If you had a new business and a new customer came in and you didnt tell them ahead of time about a $25 fee on top of a $86 dollar groomimg appointment wouldn't you waive the fee so you could keep the customer? Well I left and I will NEVER set foot in that shop again. Huge waste mytime and efforts. Don't waste your time in this place! read more

They also have a location in Mt. Washington where you will meet the most knowledgeable, helpful staff. I was in there today talking about my pup who had jaw surgery and is now an incredibly sloppy eater. They had so many great suggestions on how I could best make her meatballs (lol) and, more importantly, were so compassionate about our "new normal," sharing their stories about their own dogs trials and tribulations. I am a lifelong fan and patron now and highly recommend Howl. This is what small business is all about. read more

*Important Note: there's a cat that roams the store. Most dog owners would find this info important* Stopped by Howl on my way to the dog park for some last minute items. I entered through the back entrance, as I was directed by a sign on the front door. I knocked loudly, but politely. Waited for about 1-2 mins for an answer even though I saw there were people not far from the door. I figured they were understaffed and the only person was helping a customer so I tried to be patient. The wait was annoying so I knocked again and waited until a customer opened the door on his way out. I entered and the cashier was pretty rude in asking me what I wanted without a proper greeting. I bought less than I planned because I didn't feel like patronizing this business more than I had to. On my way out, I saw two other employees in the room closest to the door. I wish at least one person could've answered the door or told me there's a "1 customer at a time" rule due to COVID19. Overall, Petco and PetSmart have a much better selection with better prices. Their customer service is always great, too. I recently moved to Baltimore and wanted to find a brick and mortar store to shop at to support a local business. However, I would rather pay less at a big name store with good customer service than pay above average for bad customer service. read more

They cut my dog when I took him in for a grooming. He is scabbed and bleeding. The worst grooming experience I've ever had

All you could ask for in a local neighborhood pet store & more. Seriously, staff is amazing... great selection of treats, food, accessories, you name it. Couldn't recommend higher. P.S. Saturday nail trimming from 11a - 1p is a godsend. read more

Came here to buy supplies for two new cats we are adopting, and the people who work here are amazing! They spent half an hour offering me valuable advice and recommending products. I will be coming back here for all our cat needs in the future. I got 10% off my first purchase because we are adopting the cats from BARCS, and they also have a rewards program. read more

Kinda tight aisles to navigate with our pups. We found some activity toys here for my daughter's finicky cat! The prices were actually much less than I had thought. Checkout was quick and the worker gave us a treat for our leashed and well-behaved GoldenDoodle. read more

The owner/ manager is very rude an dismissive I have been coming to that store for the last 6 months an ever time I come the staff is great but she has a bad attitude an really needs to work on that so I found another place to get my specialty dog food. read more

Very helpful and able to order my dog's food each month. Super easy to work with and pick up. Wide selections!

My dog Bentley Aston Martin is one picky eater and after trying maybe five different brands of kibble he likes Orijen's Regional Red. All other brands did not agree with his GI tract if you know what I mean. Thing is it is hard to find and might just be the most expensive kibble on the market. My baby is worth it though and fortunately Howl stocks it. I know of one other place that sells it and that is out in Ellicott City. So glad to have found a local place where the parking is easy (right behind the store), the staff is fantastic and that stocks this brand. read more

When I adopted cats from Defenders of Animal Rights (which I also highly recommend), both had stomach issues. After the vet recommended an expensive prescription food, I vented my frustration to Robin (owner) and she steered me to products that made the symptoms disappear. When my old lab started having trouble with her knees, Robin recommended CBD oil and, after 2 weeks, Emmie's limp disappeared. Robin and her amazing staff are dedicated to providing the best quality pet products at a reasonable price, and they're always happy to help solve a pet problem. I trust them completely and recommend them highly. read more

Great local pet food spot. I can email ahead with my order and pick up later in the day. Good quality food and I can always ask for special items upon request. read more

I have thought a lot about writing this. For 15 years and three locations I have been a customer. I love the owner. But my experience last week was so outrageous I have decided that others must be warned. I took my dog in to have her nails trimmed. A woman has done it several times and been awesome. This time a young man was doing it, a first time for me. He was the most offensive person I have ever met in a store. My dog has an issue with a nail that rests near the pad but my vet watches it and states nothing needs done. This nasty man began to work on her nails - which she does not like - and then told me that with this nail he could not continue. He told me that I had to take her to the vet (and asked if I really even have a vet!!!!) and that they would remove the nail and that the blood would spray out of the spot. He said that he had to have this done and that the blood was so intense that he fainted. He asked us to leave, saying it was all too traumatic. Again, the woman there has been awesome several times. This most offensive person had no right to insult me, to tell me an awful story about blood gushing and his passing out. I have been a customer for all three stores in which Howl has inhabited. My dog receives regular vet visits and I am a very responsible dog owner. I am appalled that someone with such serious issues and inability to behave professionally who gives incorrect medical information is employed there. That as a long time customer any employee would behave this way. There is no way I can go back. I do not trust any employee, which may be unfair - but if one employee behaves this way there are surely others. I will now order my supplies online. Again, it makes me sad to leave Howl. I believe it is important to support brick and mortar stores. Yet it is more important to me to be treated with dignity. His treatment was beyond unacceptable. Which is truly a sad thing read more

Great location, great price, great staff. I called nearly every major pet store near Baltimore and none cut cats' nails. The location is in central Baltimore, and has plenty of street parking plus parking behind the store. The groomer, who only charges $10 to cut cats' nails (though you really should tip him because he's great), is incredibly knowledgeable about cats. I even learned a trick to keep my cat calm while I was there. read more

My pup and I love Howl! The staff is friendly, laid back, and knowledgeable. They sell high quality foods/treats/toys for dogs, cats, and some small animals. They don't sell any of those low grade foods found at corporate stores (Which is always a good sign). They truly care about your pet's well-being and are never pushy. I've compared them to other stores and overall they are cheaper. Not to mention, they have reward programs for some of the food (Every 13th bag, of the food I buy, is free). I would recommend Howl to any pet owners in the area; if they don't have what you need they can probably order it. I've gotten a life jacket and a natural cleaner I like ordered for me. They'll even do reoccurring orders. So, your food (Or in my case, cleaner) will be there when you need it. You just don't get this kind of service at the big stores and I'm so happy it's right around the corner! Also, they have a parking lot in the back which is great when buying a 30lb bag of dog food. read more

Howl - Howl always fosters kittens through MAS. Nothing beats having a kitten to shop with! - Pet Stores Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

It seems that Baltimore has a wide selection of local pet stores that cater to dogs, but very few of them have a good assortment of food and merchandise for cats. As a crazy cat lady in training with four cats, I appreciate that Howl has the largest selection of grain-free food for kitties in the Baltimore area. They even have a large selection of raw food for cats. They turned me on to the brand of raw food that I now feed my cats, Aunt Jeni's. It is reasonably priced and the employees at Howl go out of their way to keep the rabbit formula in stock for me. If you sign up for a frequent customer card (free, and they never bother you with spam mail), your 10th bag/can/container of food is free! The employees are always very personable and helpful. If your cat is picky (as one of mine is), they will work with you to help you find the food your cat is most likely to eat. Howl also carries a wide variety of gourmet and natural cat treats. My cats love the dehydrated turkey hearts and the bonito flakes (otherwise known as kitty crack). My kitties appreciate the organic catnip toys they carry as well. Simply put, this is a one-stop shop for Baltimore cat owners looking to give their cats a quality food and lifestyle. Oh yeah, and they have a big selection of dog stuff too, if that's your thing. I do love dogs, but I feel like cats just don't get enough credit when it comes to most pet stores. Cats deserve to be spoiled too! Parking is available on the street, and there is also a free lot in the back of the store. If you're lucky, when you visit Howl an adorable dog or cat will greet when you go up to the register to pay for your purchases! read more

I bought a "Cosmic Catnip Alpine Scratcher" here for my ginger tabbies. It's that kind of place. From the giant stuffed hamburgers, the selection of choice pet foods, the "this ain't from the SuperFresh" collar selection, to the tiny white dog that apparently lives on the shop counter - the best pet store in Baltimore. Prices are very reasonable. There's a do-it-yourself pet wash and you can make appointments for grooming. There's also a shop cat, Atticus, watch out for the little feller - he's tiny. read more

As pet stores go, it tends to run either boutique or big box. I find Howl to be the happy middle ground. There's a variety of food, toys, pet beds, collars... but you're not going to get lost somewhere in "small mammal". Parking isn't murder in front of Howl, but there is a customer lot behind with a convenient ramp entrance right to the grooming area of the store. Hey, it's Hampden. Every little bit helps. The hours are respectable for working stiffs, too. I haven't had a whole lot of inquiries of the staff, but they do offer help and a greeting while I'm there. You ready for the awesome part? It's cheaper than buying off Amazon or the grocery store. Okay, they may not have 40 million different brands and flavors, but I'd never call their selection limited. If you're only concerned about price, and err to the Iams side, probably stick to the grocery store. Even then, though, unit pricing for food in quantity will surprise you. And you might not have to worry about melamine in your dog's chow. read more

The staff here are so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable! Coming here is such a treat. My vets have proven to be sort of useless in dealing with my "problem cat," who is perpetually sick due to a viral issue, but the folks at Howl have pointed me in the right direction time and again. They really listen to you when you have questions and provide comprehensive answers. The prices are good and they have a wide selection of food for all kinds of pet needs. Also, the two store cats rule! read more

I really enjoy being able to walk to the store and grab my dog's food. They are a wonderful business and treat their regulars like a family.

Howl has a really great selection of cat items, especially food. They have every flavor of the BFF pouches, which can be kind of tricky to find elsewhere. I always feel sort of ridiculous for giving my cat a treat called "My Little Lion", but he seems to like them, so oh well. The free parking in back is AWESOME. read more

My old roommates used to rave about this place. My fiance also used to patronize this store when his beloved dog Rufus was alive. I'm a CCL but decided to get some treats for my friend's dog who would be staying overnight at the house a few weeks ago. She's an American bulldog so I didn't really know what was best treat wise for her. I expected help and knowledge from a boutique store like this, but the highlight of my trip was the shop cat who was roaming the store. There was a nice blonde twenty-something who greeted me but then vanished into the back or stock room. I was left to feel like I bothered the owner, an older woman sitting at the computer looking intently at something. I asked her a few questions and then picked up items in the lone room dedicated to felines. Oddly enough she thanked me twice in the span of five minutes- it was as if she was trying to rectify her otherwise disinterested tone from before. I purchased Applewood bacon 'Kitchen Bites by Wingaling, Feline Greenies digestive care Salmon treats, and TOW cat Rocky Mountain cat food for $ 25.01 I won't be going back even though I love supporting neighborhood businesses. I can probably get the same assistance and better customer service from a big corporate machine. #byefelicia read more

I love supporting this local store. They have a very wide selection of dog and cat goods and are always super helpful. I do wish they would carry a little more variety- reptile and fish food at least. 2015 update- they have greatly expanded their offerings and now carry goods to meet the needs many types of pets- love these guys and the store kittens couldn't be cuter ;-) read more

Tammy has been a wonderful groomer! My parents have taken their West Highland Terrior to her for years due to her specialized experience with the breed. I just recently started bringing my Maltese to see Tammy once I moved here and needed to find a groomer. Tammy is always very accommodating and kind, and I can tell that she genuinely has a passion for canines. We have never had any scares or issues with her or Howl, and the grooming service usually doesn't take very long (between an hour or two, depending on how matted the pups are). read more

Howl is simply the best pet store I have ever used. We have been going to this store for several years and we love: the current, convenient location, the huge parking lot (!), the friendly and helpful staff, the selection of items and the dogs-allowed-and-encouraged-in-the-store policy. We do our best to never shop anywhere else for our pet food and other pet needs. These people know our dogs and take care of us very well. read more

To me, the only place in the area to get supplies for your pets. Robin, the owner, is awesome and will help you find everything you need. Changing your animals diet is one of the best things you can do for them and their health. Feeding them natural and healthy foods will extend their lives and keep the little furry babies happy and healthy. Howl has everything you need - and if you can't find what you are looking for, they will go out of their way to order it for you. I wouldn't shop anywhere else for my animals! read more

Great place! My puppy scraped her paw and it wasn't healing because of her constantly licking it. I decided to get her a cone collar (e-collar), and this was the closest pet shop. The two employees up front we're VERY helpful, and even recommended a cream that would help with the healing. 24 hours after using the e-collar and cream, my puppy's scrape has finally started to heal. Yay! I will definitely go here for all my future pet needs. read more

Howl - "Doggles" toy. If Sasha had thumbs I'm sure she would give Howl five stars! - Pet Stores Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Love this place. They remember me and my dog, Caesar, and always ask how we both are. I have religiously purchased his food and toys there since they opened. I used to live a street over so it started out as a convenience thing but now that I have moved, I still drive there to stock up whenever I need to. The staff is more than helpful and they have talked me through a few dietary issues I have had with my dog. I even order all his dog tags through Howl even though I'm sure it's easier to do this online now. Their prices are fair and they carry the brand my dog likes, Taste of the Wild, where as many places do not, so I don't mind the $1.50 price difference between Howl and online TOW vendors. I will agree with the other poster who noted that this is more of a dog store than cat store. I have a cat, as well, and typically source his food from the vet (prescription stuff) and litter from Target -- not because they don't have good options though. While their cat area is smaller than dog area, I feel that they have an ample variety of food and litter. I just typically get my litter at Target because the cat isn't picky where as the dog won't eat anything but his taste of the wild stuff. We just got a puppy and I can't wait to bring him in with me. And if you can't wait to show the pet store staff your new puppy, I think that means it's a pretty solid store with a pretty solid staff! read more

I'm not sure why others have had bad experiences at this place. Everyone I know who has a pet LOVES this place, including me. The staff and the owner are NOT clueless! In fact, they are incredibly informed and genuinely care about your animal. The owner has dozens of photos of clients' animals on her iphone, remembers details and goes out of her way to help. The staff are the same. Their prices are great too- they aren't more expensive then a big box store. They are often less! And their selection is incredible. It's a really large store (with free parking!!!) They'll also order you whatever they can. Nothing in there is from China, so rest assured. Some of the staff are also dog trainers and dog walkers, too so they can speak about behavioral issues. The dog trainer helped me tremendously with our dog's issue with other dogs. My vet goes to this store and backs up what the staff says. I love that they do a lot of fundraisers for BARCS and other rescue groups. Animals mean the world to these people and it shows. This is the best pet store in Baltimore, hands down and I've been to them all. read more

They only care about your money; there was a lack of concern of what's really being sold in their frozen Stella and Chewy's Simply Venison dinner patties. It smelled like straight up chemicals as soon as I opened the frozen bag. I wonder if the manager will really send that product back to the company for inspection. Howl has lost a customer, and many more will follow, due to the atrocious attitude of their female workers. Customer service is not part of their body language. read more

I've always had such a great experience with the staff at Howl. They're knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. Questions are always answered and they're not afraid to defer and contact me if they were unsure. Animal lovers should check this place out. I'm glad the local businesses, like this place , are keeping with quality and service. Keep it up Howl, great job!!!! read more