Pet project open for business

PET-OWNERS now have the option of a new store to go to with staff from Bannockburn Pet Shed celebrating their opening over the weekend.

Located at 33 High Street, owner Kelly Marjanovic said it’s been a passion of hers to have her own store after previously managing Pets Corner Store in Geelong.

“Since I’ve had my kids, we’ve always had chickens and ducks and geese and goats around our property and I’ve found I just love working with pets,” she said.

“It’s exciting to have people coming through the door. At this stage we’ll focus on cats and dogs with raw food like kangaroo, rabbit, venison, things like that.”

The store stocks food from suppliers A La Carte and Lifewise alongside accessories like leads, collars and pet bowls.

Photos of customer’s pets are placed on the wall by the entrance, and the store’s mascot, Ms Marjanovic’s Australian bulldog, Mavis, will be a frequent presence.

Ms Marjanovic makes much of her products from scratch, which she said is part of what distinguishes her offerings from other pet stores in the area.

“Quality and Australian-made products is what sets us apart. It’s fresh, raw food, no preservatives or gravy, nothing like that,” she said.

“I handmake a lot of the dehydrated snacks for the dogs so I do beef, kangaroo, rabbit, jerky and probiotic meatballs.

“There are pet shops out here already of course, but none of them are doing what I want to do.”

The store is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays.