Petland Pensacola connects with Paws, purpose and passion
By Jennifer Harrison / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
When you step into Petland Pensacola, you immediately notice a different kind of energy. It isn’t just a retail store — it’s an interactive, education-first community hub designed to foster genuine connections between people and animals.
Education and Family Values
Guided by family values, Mike and Peggy Davis — who also expanded operations to the Fort Walton store — run the business alongside their sons, daughters-in-law and young granddaughters.
What truly sets Petland apart is its unique “pet counselor” model. Rather than just selling products, staff walk customers through specific care requirements, temperaments and lifestyle fits for every animal — whether it’s a high-energy Great Dane, a popular Dachshund or Chloe, the store’s resident Pied snake that is used to help visitors overcome common phobias. Customers are encouraged to handle pets and spend time in dedicated social rooms to ensure a lifelong match before committing.
Petland’s commitment to the community extends beyond the store walls:
Rescue partnerships: Local cat adoptions in collaboration with the Pensacola Humane Society.
Youth education: Guided educational tours for local school groups across different animal departments.
Annual Canine Christmas: Personalized stockings and in-store demonstrations honoring Escambia County’s K-9 unit each December.
Interactive store events: Family-friendly educational days, including the “Jack the Tortoise” birthday bash and reptile showcase each September.
Behind the scenes, that same care is put into Petland’s operations and staff. Puppies are sourced from USDA- and AKC-regulated breeders, adhering to standards developed in alignment with programs like Purdue University’s canine welfare initiatives.
Operationally, the team consists largely of local college students who are given clear pathways for career progression — growing from cashiers into tech and management roles while learning leadership skills.
A Personal Full-Circle Journey
On Aug. 7, 1993, during my sophomore year of college, I walked through the doors of Petland in Pensacola on its very first day of business. The team quickly became my own family as we all grew up together from that opening day.
Back then, I had no idea how deeply customer service, management, teamwork, sales and simple human kindness would shape my life. Retail is not for the faint of heart, but I firmly believe everyone should experience it at least once. Much like waiting tables, you never know who is about to walk through the door or what kind of mood they’ll bring with them. No two days are ever the same.
Working at Petland added an extra layer of responsibility: caring for living creatures alongside the people who came to see them. Every day was an opportunity to educate customers, solve their problems and guide their decisions.
I spent four and a half years at Petland throughout my undergraduate studies, starting as a pet counselor and working my way up to manager — leading a team, running departments, managing schedules and overseeing animal care.
Now, my journey with Petland Pensacola has come full circle. Today, I partner with them as an advertiser through Bella Magazine, working alongside owners Mike and Peggy Davis and their son, Erik.
What began as a transformative college job for me has evolved into a true family business that remains deeply rooted in and dedicated to the community I love.
Looking ahead to new horizons
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Petland is eager to deepen its local footprint. Plans are already underway to explore therapy-style puppy visits for local assisted living facilities, expand outreach to organizations like the Ronald McDonald House and rekindle visits with area first responders.
Whether you are looking to add a new furry family member, learn about exotic pet care or simply spend an hour connecting with animals, Petland remains dedicated to enriching the Pensacola community — one paw at a time.
