National pet retailer coming to Wasilla

WASILLA — People in the United States love their pets and aren’t shy about spending money on their companions, to the tune of more than $55.5 billion in 2013.

That’s how much was spent on pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Of that, an estimated $14.21 billion was for veterinary care, which means about $41.32 billion was spent on food, pet supplies, purchase of animals and other services, like grooming and boarding.

In the Valley, the main player in the pet industry — PetZoo Alaska — is about to get some competition from a national chain.

Petco has received approval from the Wasilla Planning Commission to build an 11,435-square-foot retail pet store. According to Petco’s request, the store will feature pet food, supplies and animals, along with overnight boarding and training facilities.

The new store will be located at 1801 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway on a now-empty lot at the stoplight at Hurley Drive between Target and Hacienda Mexican Restaurant. The location is also close to PetZoo’s Wasilla location, across the parking lot west of Fred Meyer.

Repeated messages left for officials at PetZoo Alaska and the Petco corporate offices were not returned.

According to the APPA, the pet industry is one that hasn’t seemed to suffer from the recent economic downturn, posting strong revenues and growth. The $55.53 billion estimated spent on pets in the United States in 2013 is up from the $53.33 billion spent in 2012 and the $50.96 billion in 2011. Overall, the industry has grown by about 320 percent during the past 20 years, from $17 billion in 1994.