Shure Pets in the El Paso Times!
August 31, 2004
El Pasoans high-end items for Fluffy, Fido
Adriana M. Chávez
El Paso Times
Lower Valley resident Esther Castor loves to spoil her 6-year-old, longhaired dachshund, Sammy.
Castor, 29, takes Sammy on trips with her, has an insurance policy for him and buys him the best food money can buy.
"It's worth it," Castor said.
El Pasoans are part of a trend of pet lovers buying top-notch products for their furry companions. Shure Pets is a new company with consultants who hold product "parties" for pet owners who order through a catalog. Lea Fatuch, vice president of sales for Baron Chemical, recently became the area's first Shure Pets representative.
"I'm a dog person, so my dogs are my kids," Fatuch said. "I wouldn't give them anything I wouldn't want."
She's not alone. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, consumers spent $29.5 billion for pet products and services in 2002.
Chicago-based Shure Pets was founded in 2002 by Andrew Shure, and its products are only available via consultants or its Web site. Fatuch, who became a Shure Pets consultant in July, said she was impressed by the company's products, which are tested by veterinarians.
Fatuch said Shure Pets sells a variety of items, including basic pet necessities like food and bath products and specialty items such as toys, clothing, first-aid kits and aromatherapy spritzers.
Shure Pets is among a growing number of businesses that cater to high-end pet products. Stores such as Petsmart and Valley Feed Pet's Barn are seeing more customers buying clothing, bath products and food with human-grade ingredients for their pets.
"People now are really reading labels and buying better foods," said Amy Crown, manager of Valley Feed Pet's Barn at 5500 N. Desert. "We're stocking up on more higher-end pet products. We carry a lot more than we did before."
Crown said Massachusetts-based Old Mother Hubbard is one of the store's best-sellers. The company makes dog and cat food and designer dog biscuits with ingredients like apples, sweet potatoes, chicken and New Zealand lamb.
"It's a trend across the country," Fatuch said. "If you're going to take responsibility for your pet, you're going to spend money."
Earlier this month, Petsmart Inc. announced an increase in sales during the second quarter to $806 million, up from $724.9 million in 2003.
Phil Francis, chairman and CEO for Petsmart, attributed the increase to pet services and customer loyalty programs. Petsmart opened 19 new stores nationwide in the second quarter.
Castor said she's noticed more people shopping at Petsmart in recent years.
"We're always at Petsmart, and I don't remember it being as full as it is now," Castor said. "People are a lot more interested in the stuff that goes into their dog or cat."
PAMPER PETS
Where to go to buy pet supplies:
Jolly Jim's Pets, Bassett Center, 779-6228. Also in Sunland Park Mall, 845-6228.
Northeast Feed Pets & Supply, 10410 Dyer, 821-0044.
Pet Emporium, 7500 N. Mesa, 833-1300.
The Pet Shop, 4663 Montana, 565-9591.
Valley Feed Pet's Barn, 368 N. Yarbrough, 591-9415. Also at 5500 N. Desert, 833-1178; 9828 Montana, 594-9144; 1360 Lee Trevińo, 592-7443; 1790 Zaragoza, 849-0653; 9807 Dyer, 751-3553; and 636 Sunland Park, 584-3468.
Petsmart, 655 Sunland Park, 587-7898; and 10501 Gateway West, 594-1696.
SHURE PETS
Customers can buy Shure Pets products at the company's Web site, www.shurepets.com.
El Paso consultant Lea Fatuch said any products she earns from sales will be raffled or auctioned off to benefit Pets Alive and the Animal Rescue League.
To participate, enter pet consultant ID 0221.
For more information: www.shurepets.com.