Saturday 11th July may have been one of the hottest days of the year thus far, but that did not stop pet owners across the UK from stepping out to support their local independent pet shop for National Pet Shop Day 2026.

Hundreds of independent pet shops and stores threw open their doors for the third annual National Pet Shop Day, and the response from communities up and down the country was everything Johnson's Veterinary Products had hoped for. From free puppy treats and photography pop-ups to charity raffles, interactive activities, goodie bags, in-store discounts and prize giveaways, retailers made the day their own, each finding their own way to celebrate what makes their shop special and remind their customers why choosing local matters.

The scenes played out against a backdrop that felt fitting for a campaign built around community warmth. Customers turned out in the sunshine to visit the shops they say they love. And on National Pet Shop Day, they proved it.

Paul Gwynn, Chairman of Johnson's Veterinary Products, said: "For over a hundred years, Johnson's has stood alongside independent pet retailers, and we know how much they mean to the communities they serve. Seeing so many pet owners go out of their way to support their local shop, on one of the hottest days of the summer, says everything about the bond between these businesses and the people they serve. That is exactly what National Pet Shop Day is all about."

The day also saw the presentation of the National Pet Shop Day Recognition Award, created to honour independent pet shops that go above and beyond for their customers, their communities and the animals they care for. This year's award was presented to Coalville Pet Supplies in Leicestershire, nominated by Coalville Public Radio in recognition of the business's decades of dedication to local people, charities, community organisations and animal welfare, including the tireless work of owners Bob and Diane through Midland Parrots, rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming parrots across the Midlands. Full details of the award and its recipients are available in a separate release.

The 2026 campaign was backed by BIRA, PIF and new supporter OATA, and supported by consumer and retailer research that told a powerful story about the gap between how much pet owners say they value their local pet shop and how often their shopping habits actually reflect that. On Saturday 11th July, at least, the habits caught up with the sentiment.

National Pet Shop Day will return in 2027. Independent retailers who would like to register their interest for next year's campaign are encouraged to visit nationalpetshopday.co.uk.

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