On this edition of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a topic that always sparks passionate debate — how people add pets to their families. From adoption and breeders to rescuing a stray or taking in a pet from a friend or family member, there are countless paths to pet parenthood. Yet, for some reason, society often gets tangled in judgment and division over how that connection began, instead of focusing on what truly matters — the living being at the center of it all. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Lorin and Rob peel back the layers of stigma, misinformation, and emotional bias that surround this topic. They explore how personal experiences, social pressure, and online discourse have shaped the way we view “adoption versus purchase” — and how those perspectives can sometimes do more harm than good. At the heart of this discussion is a simple truth: every pet deserves love, care, and a safe home, no matter how they came into someone’s life. The labels, the attitudes, and the finger-pointing don’t help the animals — in fact, they distract from the bigger picture of improving welfare, access to care, and understanding the real challenges pet families face. Lorin and Rob invite listeners to step back, let go of perfection, and focus on compassion over criticism. In a world that’s far from perfect, we can still make a powerful difference by supporting responsible, caring pet ownership — without shame or judgment. So join the conversation, open your heart, and maybe rethink how we talk about where pets come from — because in the end, it’s about who they are, not how they arrived.

On this edition of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a topic that always sparks passionate debate — how people add pets to their families. From adoption and breeders to rescuing a stray or taking in a pet from a friend or family member, there are countless paths to pet parenthood. Yet, for some reason, society often gets tangled in judgment and division over how that connection began, instead of focusing on what truly matters — the living being at the center of it all. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Lorin and Rob peel back the layers of stigma, misinformation, and emotional bias that surround this topic. They explore how personal experiences, social pressure, and online discourse have shaped the way we view “adoption versus purchase” — and how those perspectives can sometimes do more harm than good. At the heart of this discussion is a simple truth: every pet deserves love, care, and a safe home, no matter how they came into someone’s life. The labels, the attitudes, and the finger-pointing don’t help the animals — in fact, they distract from the bigger picture of improving welfare, access to care, and understanding the real challenges pet families face. Lorin and Rob invite listeners to step back, let go of perfection, and focus on compassion over criticism. In a world that’s far from perfect, we can still make a powerful difference by supporting responsible, caring pet ownership — without shame or judgment. So join the conversation, open your heart, and maybe rethink how we talk about where pets come from — because in the end, it’s about who they are, not how they arrived.

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive deep into a topic every pet business owner has wrestled with — in-store events and promotions. Are they really worth it? Do they bring lasting value, or do they just drain your time, your team, and your bottom line? From small, simple in-store happenings to big, buzz-worthy community events, Lorin and Rob explore the full spectrum of what goes into planning, running, and following up on an event. They discuss the positives and negatives — the excitement, energy, and community connection that events can create, versus the challenges, disruptions, and costs that can come with them. They break down what makes an event effective and manageable — How to determine the right scale for your store and audience. When to keep it simple versus when a larger production might make sense. How to make sure everyone — from your team to your vendors — knows their role and responsibilities. And most importantly, how to know whether your event is truly benefiting your customers and your business, or if it’s become a burden that’s taking more than it gives. Lorin and Rob also share ideas for fresh, relevant event types that today’s pet parents actually want to attend — ones that drive engagement, loyalty, and meaningful connections, rather than just foot traffic. From educational experiences to collaborative promotions and online/offline hybrids, they’ll help you rethink what a “successful event” looks like in today’s pet retail world. So before you plan your next adoption day, grooming demo, or seasonal sale, tune in for an honest, experience-based look at what works, what to avoid, and how to make every event align with your purpose, your brand, and your customers’ needs. All of this and more — on this insightful episode of Practical Pet Business.

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob dive deep into a topic every pet business owner has wrestled with — in-store events and promotions. Are they really worth it? Do they bring lasting value, or do they just drain your time, your team, and your bottom line? From small, simple in-store happenings to big, buzz-worthy community events, Lorin and Rob explore the full spectrum of what goes into planning, running, and following up on an event. They discuss the positives and negatives — the excitement, energy, and community connection that events can create, versus the challenges, disruptions, and costs that can come with them. They break down what makes an event effective and manageable — How to determine the right scale for your store and audience. When to keep it simple versus when a larger production might make sense. How to make sure everyone — from your team to your vendors — knows their role and responsibilities. And most importantly, how to know whether your event is truly benefiting your customers and your business, or if it’s become a burden that’s taking more than it gives. Lorin and Rob also share ideas for fresh, relevant event types that today’s pet parents actually want to attend — ones that drive engagement, loyalty, and meaningful connections, rather than just foot traffic. From educational experiences to collaborative promotions and online/offline hybrids, they’ll help you rethink what a “successful event” looks like in today’s pet retail world. So before you plan your next adoption day, grooming demo, or seasonal sale, tune in for an honest, experience-based look at what works, what to avoid, and how to make every event align with your purpose, your brand, and your customers’ needs. All of this and more — on this insightful episode of Practical Pet Business.

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a heartfelt and often overlooked topic — future thinking and planning when it comes to growing your pet family. Adding a new pet is one of life’s greatest joys, but it’s also one of the most important long-term commitments you can make. As Lorin and Rob remind us, life changes — sometimes in ways we expect, and sometimes in ways we never see coming. From job shifts and relocations to changes in health, finances, and family dynamics, the world around us rarely stands still. While we can’t predict every turn, we can plan thoughtfully for what’s likely to come. This episode explores how to make pet choices that not only bring joy and balance to your life today but also remain sustainable and fulfilling 10, 15, or even 20 years from now. They discuss real-life examples of how our lifestyles evolve — and how those changes can impact our ability to care for the animals we love. Can you still provide the same attention, exercise, or medical care as you get older? What happens if your living situation changes? And how can you set up plans, support systems, or even community connections to ensure your pets always have the care they deserve? Lorin and Rob offer insights, questions, and compassionate advice to help you think ahead, prepare wisely, and make pet decisions with both your present heart and your future reality in mind. Whether you’re considering your first pet, adding to your furry family, or simply re-evaluating your long-term plans, this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and better equipped for the journey of pet parenting over time. All of this and more on Practical Pet Chat — where love for pets meets the wisdom of planning ahead.

On this episode of Practical Pet Chat, Lorin and Rob dive into a heartfelt and often overlooked topic — future thinking and planning when it comes to growing your pet family. Adding a new pet is one of life’s greatest joys, but it’s also one of the most important long-term commitments you can make. As Lorin and Rob remind us, life changes — sometimes in ways we expect, and sometimes in ways we never see coming. From job shifts and relocations to changes in health, finances, and family dynamics, the world around us rarely stands still. While we can’t predict every turn, we can plan thoughtfully for what’s likely to come. This episode explores how to make pet choices that not only bring joy and balance to your life today but also remain sustainable and fulfilling 10, 15, or even 20 years from now. They discuss real-life examples of how our lifestyles evolve — and how those changes can impact our ability to care for the animals we love. Can you still provide the same attention, exercise, or medical care as you get older? What happens if your living situation changes? And how can you set up plans, support systems, or even community connections to ensure your pets always have the care they deserve? Lorin and Rob offer insights, questions, and compassionate advice to help you think ahead, prepare wisely, and make pet decisions with both your present heart and your future reality in mind. Whether you’re considering your first pet, adding to your furry family, or simply re-evaluating your long-term plans, this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and better equipped for the journey of pet parenting over time. All of this and more on Practical Pet Chat — where love for pets meets the wisdom of planning ahead.

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob explore one of the most underrated growth and loyalty strategies in the pet industry — becoming your customers’ most trusted resource for all things pet-related, even beyond what your business directly offers. Pet parents today are navigating a world full of choices, challenges, and information overload. They need guidance they can trust. When your business becomes the place they turn to — not just for products or services, but for reliable recommendations, expert connections, and credible advice — you transform your role from a seller to a partner in their pet parenting journey. That trust creates lasting loyalty, stronger bonds, and a reputation that sets you apart from competitors. Lorin and Rob discuss the right ways to build and share a vetted list of trusted resources — from local groomers, trainers, and vets to national organizations and virtual specialists. They cover how to make these connections authentic and mutually beneficial, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can make these efforts seem forced or self-serving. You’ll also hear practical examples and creative ideas for expanding your network of pet care partners — whether you’re a retailer, service provider, or product brand. From collaborations that help your customers solve real problems to community-based partnerships that deepen your local footprint, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help your business grow while genuinely serving your customers’ broader needs. All this and more on this episode of Practical Pet Business — where pet passion meets smart business strategy.

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob explore one of the most underrated growth and loyalty strategies in the pet industry — becoming your customers’ most trusted resource for all things pet-related, even beyond what your business directly offers. Pet parents today are navigating a world full of choices, challenges, and information overload. They need guidance they can trust. When your business becomes the place they turn to — not just for products or services, but for reliable recommendations, expert connections, and credible advice — you transform your role from a seller to a partner in their pet parenting journey. That trust creates lasting loyalty, stronger bonds, and a reputation that sets you apart from competitors. Lorin and Rob discuss the right ways to build and share a vetted list of trusted resources — from local groomers, trainers, and vets to national organizations and virtual specialists. They cover how to make these connections authentic and mutually beneficial, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can make these efforts seem forced or self-serving. You’ll also hear practical examples and creative ideas for expanding your network of pet care partners — whether you’re a retailer, service provider, or product brand. From collaborations that help your customers solve real problems to community-based partnerships that deepen your local footprint, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help your business grow while genuinely serving your customers’ broader needs. All this and more on this episode of Practical Pet Business — where pet passion meets smart business strategy.