The OG of Holistic Pet Supplies in Norfolk: Our Story (So Far)

Before Norfolk had a go-to spot for fully holistic pet care. Before the Southside had a single shop dedicated entirely to quality, transparency, and real education. Before there was a local place where pet parents could ask honest questions and get honest answers. There was us.

Pawsnickety Pets opened in December 2020 with nothing but a vision, a couple of best friends, a few shelves, and a whole lot of grit. No investors. No franchise backing. No corporate playbook. Just a scrappy dream and a fierce belief that pets deserve better.

Five years later, here we are. Norfolk’s original 100 percent holistic pet supply shop. Still independent. Still intentional. Still building something special with our community at the center of it all.

And we are only getting started.

It Started With Love (and a Little Bit of Grit)

When we dreamed up Pawsnickety Pets, there wasn’t a single store in Norfolk — or anywhere on the Southside — focused entirely on holistic pet products. Sure, you could find “natural-ish” items scattered in big-box aisles, but nothing that felt personal, curated, or rooted in real education.

We wanted a space where pet parents felt seen. A place where walking through the door meant finding support, knowledge, connection, and confidence.

So we built it from scratch. Literally.

We painted. We stocked. We scrubbed. We curated every product by hand and every shelf with intention. And little by little, word spread.

Customers came for better food and treats. They stayed for the trust, the conversations, and the feeling of belonging.

What “Holistic” Means to Us

For us, holistic has never been a trend. It is a mindset. A promise. A way of doing business with heart.

• It means focusing on the whole pet, not just the purchase.
• It means education over upselling.
• It means quality over shortcuts.
• It means knowing your dog’s name, your cat’s quirks, and the treats that make their ears perk up.

We are not here to overwhelm you. We are here to guide you.
No judgment. No pressure. Just honest conversations, thoughtful products, and a team that wants the absolute best for your pet’s well-being.

That is the Pawsnickety difference.

Built From Scratch. Owned By Heart.

We say it proudly every single time because it matters.

We are locally owned. Women-owned. Minority-owned. And bestie-owned.

This business wasn’t inherited. It wasn’t bought as a corporate package. It was built with sweat, tears, mass quantities of espresso, and a type of hope that only small business owners really understand.

Being independent means we control every decision. We choose small-batch brands, ethical makers, and products that align with our values. We choose inclusion, community, and compassion. We choose the path that is right, not the one that is easy.

Everything we do is intentional. Everything we stock has purpose. Everything we host is for the joy of the community that trusted us enough to grow.

A Hub for Pets and People

In five years, Pawsnickety has become more than a shop. It has become a gathering place for pet lovers across Norfolk and beyond.

We have hosted wild events, heartfelt fundraisers, costume contests, adoption spotlights, and craft days that somehow always end with happy chaos. We have cheered customers through new pet parenthood, celebrated rescues, dried tears over tough moments, and shared countless stories across the counter.

This store is a reflection of our community. Diverse. Kind. Creative. Connected.

And we could not be more proud.

Five Years Strong and Still Growing

This December marks five incredible years of Pawsnickety Pets. Five years of wagging tails, curious kittens, freezer-door chats, and customers who became family.

We have watched your pets grow up. We have watched your families evolve. And you have allowed us to grow with you.

As we step into the next chapter, our mission stays the same:

To educate, empower, and celebrate pet parents with authenticity, inclusivity, and a whole lot of fun.

We are Norfolk’s original holistic pet shop because we built this from the ground up. We are still here because our community believed in us.

And we are staying for the long haul.

Here’s to our roots, our people, and every pet who has walked through our doors.

Because here, it has never been just about what’s on the shelf. It has always been about who is standing beside it.

Spend Smarter. Spoil Harder.
That’s the Pawsnickety way! 💙🐾