Image provided by Devoted Pet Lovers Sylvie and Mike.
Sylvie Roussel and Mike Borgh’s pet family actually began at their local Pet Valu. Before they even had any cats they would visit Pet Valu in Sussex, New Brunswick. They wanted a pet, but weren’t quite ready to commit, says Mike. “We used to always just go to Pet Valu to see the cats they had up for adoption. And that's how I got my cat fix and my animal fix,” he explains. “Pet Valu does a lot of work with local charities helping to find homes for kittens and older cats…they also run a lot of adoption events.” But then one day at the store, Mike and Sylvie met a tabby and fell in love. “The day that we saw Charlie, it was actually quite easy for us. Pet Valu recommended us. We filled out the application, and it wasn't long after that, within a few days, that we had him home with us,” Sylvie says with a smile. “He was a beautiful cat, and we were so lucky to have him come into our lives. Definitely it's because of him that I am now a crazy cat lady with three cats.” Since getting Charlie, their family has expanded to also include Chester, a tuxedo cat and Opal, a Turkish angora cat with heterochromia — one blue eye and one green eye.
Since starting their pet family, Sylvie and Mike have had even more reasons to visit Pet Valu regularly. “I just love going in there,” says Sylvie. “It's always an adventure. You never know who's going to be there. Over the years, each member of the team has just been so loving and caring towards us, towards our needs, our animals, any questions that we've ever had, and it doesn't matter what you ask — it can be anything — they will give you a straight, honest answer from their own experience as well. They're very, very knowledgeable.” Charlie in particular has a sensitive stomach, so Mike and Sylvie particularly appreciate the expansive variety of food options they have to choose from at Pet Valu. “Everything, from our litter boxes, our cat trees, our fountains, all the filters that go with everything, the toys, the brushes, catnip, flea treatment, you name it — it's Pet Valu,” says Sylvie. But the in-store experience extends beyond great customer service and product options for her and Mike. It’s a community connection that’s deeply rooted in the love of pets. “I've cried with them, I've gone in and we just have those heart-to-heart moments where you're sharing stories, and your worries and your concerns. Or just talking about the amount of animals that are needing adoption right now, that need to be taken care of. It’s just been such an extension to our family, really. They've helped grow our family,” Sylvie says. “They called and said, ‘we have something for you,’” she recalls. “When I showed up, there was a little postcard, and the very first line on it said, ‘It all began with a cat named Charlie.”
The Pet Valu experience: Every customer is a VIP
Customer service that goes above and beyond to support her and her two large dogs is what brings Devoted Pet Lover, Lisa Carpenter, back to Pet Valu again and again.
