Market Spotlight: Kansas City

With dog parks and green spaces galore, Kansas City has many dog-friendly public spaces. There are even a few barbecue places with fenced-in running spaces for four-legged friends. A new study by WalletHub ranked Kansas City 32 out of 100 for pet-friendliness. The city placed seventh nationally for pet budget, making it one of the more cost-effective cities to own a pet. Further, Forbes Advisor reported that Kansas City pet owners pay the second-lowest veterinary costs in the country.

By the Numbers

Within the greater Kansas City area, including Overland Park, Olathe, Lee’s Summit, and Independence, there are 91 pet specialty store locations and 44 different companies. 

In Kansas City, there are 22 pet stores, with 10,102 households per pet store. The city’s population is 508,090. The median household income is $69,958. Overland Park is next with 11 pet stores, 7,793 households per pet store and a population of 197,238. The median household income is $101,372. Olathe has eight pet stores, 6,816 households per pet store, a median income of $113,624 and a population of 141,290.

The top three retailers within the market are Petco with 12 stores, PetSmart with 12 stores, and Brookside Barkery & Bath with six stores. Altogether, they make up 33 percent of the market. There are 33 single-store retailers, which account for 36 percent of the Kansas City market. Other retailers make up 31 percent.

A Local Look 

Local pet businesses provide vital services and fun opportunities for pets and their people to indulge. Callie Mae’s Barkery and Bath in Kansas City lets pups enjoy gourmet and all-natural dog treats and provides self-wash stations. Land of Paws in Overland Park is a boutique shop with pet food, curated toys and stylish accessories. In Olathe, LifeTimePet is a family-owned pet store, daycare and boarding facility that’s been in business for more than 20 years.

Thea Gomez, owner of For Pet’s Sake, discussed what makes the Kansas City market unique for pet businesses.

“The Kansas City community has an incredibly tight-knit, supportive pet-loving culture. Pet parents here truly view their animals as family members and are always looking for trusted, high-quality care. What has allowed our business to thrive is our commitment to building genuine, long-term relationships with our clients and their pets, backed by a community that fiercely supports local, independent businesses,” commented Gomez.

Gomez’s journey to the pet industry was influenced by both passion and compassion.

“My background is in accounting, but my lifelong passion for animals ultimately guided me into the pet industry. Transitioning from numbers to pets allowed me to combine my operational experience with my true calling—caring for animals and the people who love them,” explained Gomez.

She continued, “I wasn’t the founder of the business originally; I purchased For Pet’s Sake in 2020 from my incredible mentor, Cheri Thomas. Even while battling cancer, Cheri remained deeply dedicated to this company. Taking over the business was my way of honoring her legacy, keeping her vision alive, and continuing to provide the community with the high level of care she established.”

If Gomez could have one conversation with pet parents, it would be about the importance of grooming.

“Regular grooming is vital not just for appearance, but for overall health. A qualified groomer who sees your pet regularly can often spot early warning signs of health issues that need veterinary attention, and the grooming process itself can even assist with behavioral milestones. Beyond that, I always want to talk about how proper nutrition and quality supplements are fundamental investments that help our animal companions live long, vibrant, and healthy lives.”

Community

Kansas City has a variety of organizations dedicated to helping families and their pets. Statewide, 62.8 percent of Kansas households own pets, according to World Population Review.

Since 1912, The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City has been on a mission to save and improve the lives of dogs and cats. They are the first and longest-standing no-kill shelter in Kansas City. 

KC Pet Project is dedicated to creating a compassionate and safe community for pets and people. Each year, the organization helps more than 16,000 animals throughout the city. 

Pet Resource Center of Kansas City has been assisting economically disadvantaged families in Kansas and Missouri with spay-and-neuter services and pet vaccinations for more than 20 years.

With unique independent pet businesses, supportive resources and pet-friendly amenities, Kansas City’s pet scene is built on connection, care and a strong sense of community.