Market Focus: Chicago

Thanks to its numerous parks, pet-friendly businesses and services, and active dog owner community, Chicago is often ranked as one of the top cities for dog lovers. All you have to do is visit one of Chicago’s many parks, such as Rogers Park, and you’ll see dogs. Perhaps even a parrot on a shoulder or a cat on a leash. Or head over to the off-leash Montrose dog beach in the summer, and you’ll soon understand—pets and their humans have their choice of outdoor spaces around the city.

The pandemic increased the number of households that own pets in the US. This trend is reflected in Chicago and its surrounding areas, which have created a huge demand for pet-friendly living options. According to local news reports, more than 59 percent of renters have pets, so scoring pet-friendly units has many renters willing to negotiate with higher deposits or offer to pay for professional cleaning. 

Pet-friendly businesses also have a big influence on living preferences. Areas like the West Loop, Lincoln Park, South Loop, and Lakeview are particularly popular due to their parks and the number of pet-focused retailers. A Rover.com survey found that Chicago dog owners are the nation’s most “indulgent” with their willingness to spend top dollar on their dogs’ grooming, manicures, and massages.

By the Numbers

Within the greater Chicago area, including Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston and Arlington Heights, there are 198 pet specialty store locations, with eight fewer store locations than in 2025. There is a collective of 82 different companies. Within Chicago city limits, there are 72 pet stores with 16,284 households per pet store and a population of 2,746,388.

The top three retailers within the market are PetSmart, Petco and Pet Supplies Plus, which make up 42.4 percent of the market. The rest of the market is comprised of 25.3 percent of other multi-store (or chain) retailers, including EarthWise Pet, Independent Pet Partners and Hollywood Feed. Roughly one-third, or 32.3 percent, of the market is single-store retailers. 

Community Support Services

With the current economic climate, Chicago animal shelters have seen a surge in owner surrenders due to economic pressures, rising pet care costs and housing issues. According to a local Chicago news source, Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) experienced a record number of animal intakes, with owner surrenders dramatically up. They reported a 322 percent increase in July 2025 for dogs. 

Organizations like Paws Chicago, a rescue group that works to save lives and find homes, have been working diligently to end the killing of homeless cats and dogs. They are a national model for animal sheltering. Together with many other rescue groups and shelters, they work to provide a safe haven of foster homes for pets.

There are numerous free and low-cost pet support services to help keep pets safe and give options to owners. Organizations like the Anti-Cruelty Society’s SAFE program provide emergency housing options. Temporary foster care is offered through organizations like 911 Foster Pets. Pet food assistance can be found through the Friendship Pet Food Pantry. CACC works together with these organizations to offer assistance, temporary housing, behavior help, low-cost spay/neuter and medical care—all with one goal in mind: to support owners and their pets during tough times and reduce the number of surrendered pets. On their social media, CACC shared this message: “We know life can change fast, and sometimes caring for a pet becomes overwhelming. Before making the difficult decision to come to intake, we strongly encourage you to explore the many free and low-cost resources available to help you keep your pet at home if possible.” 

There are many positives with the rise in pets, and that can be seen in the numerous Chicago businesses that cater to the growing population of pets. 

Pet-Focused Businesses

Beth Staley at Happy Dog Barkery, a bakery and pet specialty retailer in Downers Grove, IL, shared the career path that led her to the pet industry: “I was in the corporate world running IT in an investment firm. My company was great, but it wasn’t fulfilling me. My father owned his own small business in retail sales/service, so I kind of always wanted my own business as well. When I started making treats for my own dog with allergies, I started researching what I could do, and it snowballed very quickly in four months to Happy Dog Barkery’s opening day.”

She continued, “There were some dog bakeries around, but they didn’t quite offer the full selection of what I envisioned. Our bakery is our niche, including our birthday cakes.” 

As for the name, “Happy Dog Barkery,” Staley revealed, “I wanted to include the name of my first dog, but it didn’t quite work out. My pack at that time was always a happy bunch, so I went with Happy Dog Barkery, using a play on the word bakery.” 

Twenty years ago, when Ursula Sanchez decided to open Chicago-based Bucktown Bow & Meow, a pet specialty retailer that offers grooming and boarding services, it was because she wanted to create an environment that prioritized the well-being of animals. 

She said that included, “No cages or kennels, a calm and quiet grooming environment using natural, minimal ingredients, and good-for-them products. As well as all-inclusive grooming packages with no upsells.” She believes grooming should be about what is best for the animals—not charging extra for services.

The name was inspired by the community itself. Sanchez has lived in Chicago her whole life and has been part of the Bucktown community for 30 years. Sanchez shared that, “she wanted to make it feel like your neighborhood pet groomer.” And as a forward-thinking groomer, she would like to spread more awareness about the importance of maintaining a consistent grooming routine. “Waiting longer than three months between grooms can actually be stressful and harmful for dogs,” she explained. “They’re no longer accustomed to the dryer, and extensive dematting or shaving large amounts of coat can be uncomfortable and even traumatizing. We typically recommend coming in every four to eight weeks for a bath and tidy or a full groom, depending on the dog’s coat and needs. We also focus on what pets consume just as much as how they’re groomed. We carry truly healthy, single-ingredient treats and foods from locally sourced brands, made with raw, minimal ingredients—never the cheap fillers. Pets are family, and they deserve the same level of care, quality, and intention that we’d give our own children.”

Jennifer Stavrianos left an emotionally taxing job in family services in search of a career where her hard work and dedication would also be put to good use. What began with walking dogs soon turned into a realization that she loved working with animals and launching Pet Care Plus, a pet boarding and specialty retail operation in Chicago. She expressed, “When I founded Pet Care Plus in 1998, the pet industry in Chicago, and in the US, looked nothing like it does today. At the time, there were only two companies that primarily offered dog training services and one or two dog walkers. Doggy daycare and dog boarding outside of a vet office did not exist. Only dog walking, cat sitting, and limited grooming services were available, with a handful of upscale shops in the city. There were very few organized daycare centers in Chicago and none that offered webcams or other amenities for pet parents like in-ground pools, purpose-built pet suites, pet events, etc.”

She continued, “What was missing then was a professional, reliable, and thoughtfully run place where pet parents could trust that their dogs were not just being watched but truly cared for. That gap is what Pet Care Plus was built to fill—and it’s still what drives the business today. Over time, we grew into a comprehensive pet care company offering daycare, boarding, grooming, events, swimming, and retail. Now we are proud to be the longest-running dog daycare, boarding, and grooming business in Chicago under the same continuous ownership.”

Chris Diederich, Co-Owner of Ruff Life with Eliza Diederich, worked in retail for about 27 years. While he started in consumer electronics and store management, what led him to a career with dogs was his own pet, Bradley. He relayed, “As most will probably say, we had a dog with issues. We learned about food. We drove all over getting the correct items for our Bradley. Then we realized that others were in the same boat as us, hence Ruff Life.”

Located in Elmhurst, Ruff Life provides nutritious pet foods, treats, and supplies. As Diederich explained why they chose the location, “We are in a heavily populated area just west of Chicago, but we were in a pet food desert when it came to quality and knowledge.” 

It was the desire for flexibility that led Ramie Gulyas, President of Follow Your Nose Pets, to first start her dog walking service as she attended Northwestern University. “When we decided to expand into a retail space,” Gulyas reported, “It was because there were products I was looking for and that my dog walking customers were also looking for that you couldn’t find in big box stores or old school pet stores. I wanted more nutritious foods and treats, and I wanted toys that I was not embarrassed to have all over my living room floor, that were long-lasting enrichment-style toys.”

Located in Evanston, Gulyas thinks of her independent pet store as a resource to the community and its pets. “Visiting us with questions is free. Hopefully, we can be helpful, and customers will reward us with their loyal shopping habits,” she shared. “Chicago area customers are looking for good quality at a good price—it has to be a good value. I try to think like my customers and am focused on nutrition and problem solving for them: how can I make their lives easier and their pets’ lives better?”

Gulyas makes an effort to have more conversations with pet owners about the connection between behaviour and gut health. “All things about your pet lead back to the gut—behaviors are linked to gut health, anxiety and stress are related and can be improved through better diet and supplements before pharmaceuticals are needed.”

Sometimes it’s a moment of stress that can inspire a positive business approach. Owner of Chicago-based Paw Naturals, Jami Ippolito, revealed, “I founded the company in 2007 after previously working in lighting sales. That same year, the melamine-contaminated pet food recall prompted me to research the ingredients used in many pet food products. I was shocked to discover that some contained inferior components that manufacturers couldn’t even clearly identify. That realization led me to want to do more than just sell pet food—I wanted to educate pet owners about what they were buying and why it mattered. The website launched first, followed by the opening of the retail store three years later.”

And while education and treats are often what bring customers in, it’s also how customers leave with something new, too. Ippolito noted, “We’re always having conversations with our customers regarding nutrition since that is our niche. We love to educate. We like to give information, samples and then let the customer decipher for themselves what’s the better option. And the free samples are key since that’s what gets so many of our customers hooked on the good stuff.” 

A Big City That Shops Small

Chicago is a vibrant city that supports their local, independent businesses. Neighborhoods such as Andersonville, often referred to as Chicago’s “shop small” capital, feature a plethora of local shops. Visit Lincoln Park or Logan Square, and you’ll be met with a different flavor of local and unique businesses. Every distinct neighborhood offers a different atmosphere that reflects the city’s diverse communities. 

Staley of Happy Dog Barkery explained how Chicagoans support her Downers Grove’s location, “In my immediate area, we are lucky the community has a strong shop small and shop local mindset. I am sure other communities do as well. We are also fortunate to be in a downtown suburban location, surrounded by residential, so we serve as a great walking destination.”

When it comes to pet lovers, Staley effused, “We have great support from the dog-loving community. We have amazing shelters and rescue groups that bring a lot of dogs to the area. Our niche of specialty dog birthday cakes brings customers from all over the Greater Chicago area.”

What do Sanchez and her co-owner, Summer Powers of Bucktown Bow & Meow, love most about the Chicago pet market? They shared, “People truly want what’s best for their pets, and we are here to give their pets only pawsitive associations with grooming. We are part of the Wicker Park dog walking trail, where community residents walk their dogs near retail to get free treats at the door or inside!” 

Diederich of Ruff Life is proud to be their community’s experts. “We have been able to thrive as a longstanding base of knowledge for the community. We are here to help and bounce ideas off of. We are a judgment-free zone that is here to help in any way possible.” Because deep down he knows that: “Food matters. It matters for us, and it absolutely matters for them as well. Feeding well doesn’t have to be expensive and creates a major benefit for the animal, and for your pocketbook, as the vet visits become less frequent.” 

As Gulyas of Follow Your Nose Pets concluded, “I want people to do simple things that they can afford to do and supporting locally-owned businesses means that the stores are more interested in helping you. They get to know your pet. You are also supporting the other local businesses because pet stores anchor their business districts and attract more people to the area.” 

The opportunities for Pet Care Plus to thrive in the greater Chicago market have been plentiful. Stavrianos reported, “The West Loop of Chicago is a great market for pet care because so many people here live in condos or homes with smaller yards, they have busy work and social lives and truly treat their pets like family. Condo dogs don’t have backyards—they need structured care, socialization, and a safe place to spend their day, and that creates opportunity for a company that does things the right way.”

She continued, “Pet Care Plus has thrived in Chicago because we’ve been consistent, reliable, and given 100 percent to our clients since 1998. Chicagoans value someone they trust, and decades of continuous ownership and client satisfaction have given us that credibility. Our pet parents also value experience from their pet care providers. We’ve always built our operations around safety, training, predictable routines, and educating our clients and that’s a big part of why we’ve lasted.”

Pet Care Plus is built on the philosophy that dogs deserve well-rounded care. They believe that when pet parents invest in their dog’s physical and emotional well-being, they’re not just raising happier dogs; they’re building a stronger connection and setting themselves up for many years of quality time together. And Chicagoans are here for it and have been showing their belief in better pet care through strong business support. Stavrianos relayed, “Chicago rewards businesses that are professional, transparent, and able to evolve with the needs of urban pet parents. That’s exactly how Pet Care Plus has continued to grow and stay relevant for all these years, even as the neighborhood and market needs have changed over our 28 years in business.”

The average dog lives between 10 and 13 years. No matter the age, the time is never long enough. And for some business owners, this journey goes straight to their heart. Ippolito of Paw Naturals said it best. “Being there for the entire lifespan of our customers—quite literally—has been one of the most meaningful parts of what we do. We opened in 2010 and are now approaching our 16th anniversary. Over the years, we’ve watched dogs come in as eight-week-old puppies, stop by daily during their walks for a chicken jerky or a treat from the goodie bar, and, heartbreakingly, be wheeled in on a flatbed for one final treat before euthanasia. Then, after their humans have had time to heal, they return—this time with a new puppy. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and a blessing all at once.”