At Hello Ralphie, we strongly believe in the importance of shopping small pet businesses. Supporting small and independent businesses helps your community thrive. We also find they usually offer exceptional service with a personal touch that may be lacking when you take your beloved pet to the larger big box stores.
If you’re a pet owner who is interested in finding small pet businesses across the state of Michigan, you have come to the right place! Each business below is staffed by caring individuals who will treat your pet with the love and respect they deserve.
The Best Small Pet Businesses Across Michigan

City Bark – Detroit, Michigan
www.citydetroitbark.com
1222 Griswold St.
Detroit, MI
City Bark is a locally-owned pet supply store located in Detroit’s historical Capitol Park District. They have earned a reputation amongst locals for offering only the highest quality dog and cat supplies.
The owners carefully select every item on their shelves to ensure they are made to a high standard. Since they are always on the lookout for new and exciting pet supply products, you will be able to find the latest and greatest products out there.
City Bark provides higher quality products, but they have a variety of products at various price points. This means most pet owners can often find supplies within their budget.
Best of all, they offer samples, so you can find healthy and nutritious pet food that your dog or cat is happy to eat! We love their buyer program, which allows customers to earn a free bag of pet food for every 12 bags purchased. While they encourage pets and their parents to visit the store, they also offer same-day pet food delivery for those who can’t leave home or have busy schedules.
City Bark is one of Detroit’s only women-owned pet supply businesses. It is dedicated to giving back to the community by hosting pet welfare events, fundraising campaigns, and adoption events in partnership with local shelters. If you are looking for locally-owned pet food and pet toy stores in Detroit, City Bark should be at the top of your list!
The Hound Dog Pet Grooming – Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.thehounddoggr.com
2841 Breton Rd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI
The Hound Dog Pet Grooming is a locally owned pet grooming service owned by two experienced groomers who genuinely love the animals they work with. Owners Amy and Molly each have over 15 years of grooming experience, and they both graduated from the Paragon School of Pet Grooming in Jenison, Michigan.
In addition to hiring skillful and experienced staff, The Hound Dog only uses the highest quality products and equipment to give excellent care. Some of the larger pet grooming chains try to get as many pets through the door as possible. The Hound Dog Pet Grooming always prioritizes the comfort and safety of the pets they are trusted to groom.
They offer curated grooming services for all types of breeds, ages, and temperaments. They also provide affordable nail trimming and dental care services, which you can add to any standard grooming package!
Arbor Dog Daycare & Boarding – Ann Arbor, Michigan
www.arbordogdaycare.com
2418 S. Industrial Hwy.
Ann Arbor, MI
Arbor Dog Daycare is a locally-owned pet business that offers cage-free dog boarding. Whether you need daycare services throughout the workweek or overnight boarding while you are out of town, you can trust the friendly and passionate staff at Arbor Dog Daycare & Boarding to offer your pup everything they need while you are away.
Their large indoor environment is heated during the winter months and air-conditioned during the summer. They offer ten unique indoor and outdoor play areas, so your dog can socialize with other dogs and enjoy plenty of exercise.
Arbor Dog’s well-trained staff carefully supervises all dogs under their care. Pet owners will also love the option to live stream all of their playrooms! Even while at work, you can keep an eye on your furry friend and make sure they enjoy their day away from home and receive excellent care.
At Arbor Dog, your pup will stay in a safe and clean environment while receiving compassionate care. The facilities are kept extremely clean, and they screen dogs for their temperament and ability to socialize with others. For those who are short on time, they even offer bathing, nail trimming, and de-shedding services, which means your furry friend will come home looking their absolute best!

Soldan’s Pet Supplies – Lansing, Michigan
www.soldanspet.com
5016 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Lansing, MI
Howard Soldan founded Soldan’s Pet Supplies in 1955. While it started by primarily offering livestock feed and dog food to local farmers, it is now one of Lansing’s most trusted pet supply stores.
Despite its relatively small size, Soldan’s competes with the national pet care supply chains by offering outstanding customer service and competitive prices. Whether you own a cat, dog, bird, reptile, or just about any other type of animal, their knowledgeable staff can help you find just the right food and toys for your beloved pet.
More than anything else, Soldan’s Pet Supplies values building lasting relationships with local pet owners and the wider community. There are now three generations from the Soldan family working for the business, and their commitment to offering high-quality pet products at fair prices has not changed. If you are looking for the best possible food for your furry, scaley, or feathery friend, you should seriously consider visiting Soldan’s Pet Supplies.
Final Words
We hope that you seek out a local pet business in your community and find one that will value your business and the welfare of your pet. Any of the Michigan-based pet businesses we highlighted above is a great place to start!
If you enjoyed this list of beloved pet businesses, you might also enjoy reading our list of dog-friendly adventures across the state of Michigan. And should you have any questions about veterinary telemedicine or need guidance on pet products while you’re out shopping, our online vets are here to help.