Tucked away on Caledonia Street in Sausalito is a small pet store with a big heart. Opened in 2017, Best Friends Pet Supplies isn’t just a place to grab a bag of dog food or pick up some cat treats — it’s become a community gathering spot where people come together to converse with other pet owners and shop employees alike.
“Some of our regulars call it a ‘coffee shop for dogs,”’ says Carla Willey, who manages the back office and its outreach programs. “Many days, there are customers out on their morning walks waiting for us to open our doors so they can come inside with their furry friends and share their latest pet stories.”
The store’s small-town-feel vibe is exactly what shop owner Paul Magdycz, who originally founded Canine Cove boarding service, set out create: a locally-owned business that serves as gathering spot for animal lovers and supporters, offers a carefully curated array of pet products including those made in the Bay Area, and operates as a good community citizen by giving back and being involved.
Best Friends has been a past sponsor of the MTC Tennis tournament, as well as a participant in the local farmer’s market in Sausalito. This Spring, it hosted a Sausalito Chamber of Commerce event which drew in more than 60 attendees; local band Honey Disposition, a supporter of animal-related causes, provided the music for the event.
There’s even a quarterly lunchtime event called “nachos at noon,” where the store serves up nachos and homemade pico de gallo for all two-legged customers. While the nachos are free, customers can donate a few bucks to The Dixie Project — an initiative created by Willey in tandem with Marin Humane to help fund pet safety nets for those owners struggling to buy pet food and pay for vet care. The project is named after Willey’s former spunky Jack Russell Terrier, Dixie, who lived a full life for 17 years and passed away following an illness. Dixie and her legacy were honored during a fundraising concert for The Dixie Project on June 14 in Petaluma.
Magdycz believes in supporting local vendors, and actively looks for those which not only produce unique, locally sourced products but are also like-minded in giving back. The store stocks climbing rope dog leashes from San Francisco’s Upcycled Adventure and sustainable, limited ingredient goodies from Berkeley-based Pezzy’s Pet Treats. “Even Paul’s mom living back East gets in on the action; she makes tug toys for dogs and fabric snakes filled with catnip for cats which are both popular with our customers,” said Willey.
She added, “It’s really important, especially with inflation and the rising cost of living, to support small businesses. Whether you shop at Best Friends Pet Supplies or elsewhere, our hope is that you always choose to shop local for your pet products and continue to boost our regional economy.”
To find out more about Best Friends Pet Supplies, please visit their website.
