Proudly Local Business: Paw.PET.ual Friends in Falher
A pet supply shop buzzing with care and community connections
"We've always had animals in our lives and we do our best to make sure they get the best."
In a small town like Falher, it doesn’t take long for friendly greetings to turn into 30-minute chats between neighbours. It’s a shared experience across rural Alberta – and the owners of Paw.PET.ual Friends on Main Street know this well.
In the short time since Jane McGillis and Paul Cormack took ownership of the store, they’ve created the kind of place where customers aren’t just customers, and pets aren’t just pets. Everyone is known by name.
The couple took over the business in July 2024 after purchasing the distinctive beehive-shaped building that houses the store. The opportunity came somewhat unexpectedly, but it quickly turned into a new adventure.
Originally from Orono, Ontario, Jane and Paul moved west more than a decade ago when Paul began working for the railway. Since 2014, they’ve proudly called Falher home. While neither came from the pet retail industry, their shared love of animals made the transition feel natural.
“We’ve always had animals in our lives, ever since we met,” says Jane. “And we do our best to make sure they get the best.”
Running a small business has been a learning experience, but they’ve embraced it. As many entrepreneurs discover, there’s always more happening behind the scenes than people realize, from keeping up with industry trends to maintaining equipment and managing daily operations.
Today, Paw.PET.ual Friends offers a wide range of pet food, toys, treats and supplies as well as professional grooming services. Jane oversees the day-to-day operations with support from two groomers who help keep pets looking and feeling their best.
Like true animal lovers, the team invested in adaptable hydraulic washing and drying stations that lower to the floor, that allow pets to step up comfortably rather than being lifted.
“We’ve tried to create as stress-free an environment as we could,” says Paul.
That same thoughtful approach carries through the rest of the shop, which reflects the character of the Peace River region. The beehive building once housed a honey business, something Jane and Paul chose to honour by bringing local honey products back into the store. Today, customers can find honey, honeycomb and beeswax candles on the shelves alongside the store’s pet supplies.
In addition, many of their pet products are made in Canada, something Paul says matters to both the business and its customers. “People in this area really want to support local,” he says. “There’s no reason not to.”
That same community mindset carries into how the business gives back. Paw.PET.ual Friends regularly donates dog and cat food to Smoky River Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), helping ensure pets remain cared for even when families are going through difficult times.
“Everybody gets in a tough spot in their life,” says Paul. “Dogs and cats deserve high-quality food no matter their family’s situation.”
For Jane and Paul, one of the most rewarding parts of running the shop is the people and pets they’ve come to know along the way. Because in a place like Falher, supporting local means supporting each other.
Learn more about the team and the business on the Paw.PET.ual Friends website.
