Wild About Her Work Spokane Pet Store Owner Emphasizes A Personal Touch In Animal Care
Wild Birds West and Pet Vittles has it all, food for the critters both indoors and out and gifts for the folks who love them.
Sherry Little has owned and operated the business for 11 years. In addition to Little, the Spokane Valley store now supports two two-legged employees and five four-legged ones.
The human employees, Karen Weisgerber and Bernie Schamber, man the cash register while cat Raisin keeps a lookout at the window and dogs Mary, Bogie, Spud and Gracie make sure customers get a tail-wag and a wet nose print.
Outside, sparrows gobble up seed from a full feeder.
Little said the pets make Wild Bird West’s customers feel at ease: “It’s an inviting place immediately.”
Located on Argonne Road between Mission and Broadway, the shop started as Pet Vittles, selling dog and cat supplies, but expanded to sell wild bird food, feeders and birdbaths just a few years later. In addition, the store sells a generous selection of gifts for pet and wildlife lovers.
Little carries six brands of natural dog and cat food and more than a dozen different birdseed blends, including two exclusive mixes that appeal to local birds.
“There are different birds in different parts of the country,” she said. “We have ours mixed for the birds in the Spokane area.”
Gifts run the gamut from bird books, feeders and designer dog dishes to home decorations, pictures and weather vanes. During the holidays the store also carries ornaments (dog, cat and bird-related, of course), candles and some indoor plants.
Running a small business is hard work, said Little, who added that she knew what she was getting into since her father was a grocer and ran a motel.
“You work a lot of hours, and a lot of your money goes back into the store,” she said.
Over the years, Little has doubled the shop’s sales and expanded the storage room into more display space.
The floor is painted with cobbles, stepping stones, plants and birds nests.
“Sherry’s a very accomplished artist,” said employee Weisgerber. “She hand-painted every inch of the floor herself.”
Though Little considered expanding in a new location, she decided to stay put and keep the store’s personal touch. And though big pet stores like PetsMart and Petco have moved into the market in recent years, Little is upbeat.
“It has to affect you because it’s more, similar things being sold elsewhere, but in a way it opens people’s eyes to what’s out there,” she said. “Sometimes people will see something at one of those stores and then come in here to see what else is available.”