‘This is upsetting.’ Pet specialty store closing in Perry

PERRY — Reginald Brand is among those impacted by the pending closure of Petsense by Tractor Supply in Perry.

“This is upsetting because of the fact of people have really started counting on this store,” said Brand, who lives nearby and has three dogs. “You have the groomers here.

“You have all the prices here that people are looking for and everything that they ask for. But I guess I gotta find another place.”

Tractor Supply recently announced the closure of about 75 of the pet specialty stores that offer food, supplies and services such as grooming and training.

The Perry store at 1017 St. Patrick’s Drive, Suite 1017, is among nine underperforming stores in Georgia on the company closure list released to USA Today. The exact number of stores closing nationwide is 74 based on that list.

At the Perry location, closing signs are posted outside, and products throughout the store are discounted from 5% to 30% off the original price.

With the closure, Brand said he expects he’ll have to drive to PetSmart in Warner Robins for what he needs for his dogs, such as Taste of the Wild dog food that he said just can’t be found at other retail stores like Walmart.

“Here it was convenient,” said Brand, who views the Petsense store as a needed service in the community. “So obviously, I wish corporate would reconsider … but unfortunately some people are looking at the bottom line, I guess.”

Brand is not alone in his dismay over the store’s closing. Nonprofit organizations are losing space to showcase adoptable cats and dogs for adoption.

“We know the news is out and we, our hearts are broken,” Rescue Ranch Adoptable Cats posted on Facebook. “Petsense by Tractor Supply is closing their doors here in Perry. They have helped us get so many adoptions while they have been open and working with us.”

With the store expected to remain open a few more weeks before closing, the Rescue Ranch post noted, “We still have some time to find some more furever homes!”

The Petsense chain was founded in 2005 and was acquired by Tractor Supply in 2016 for $116 million, according to a Tractor Supply news release. At that time, 136 Petsense stores were in operation in 23 states. In 2022, Tractor Supply rebranded the stores to Petsense at Tractor Supply.

As of June 27, 209 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores were in operation in 23 states, according to a company earnings statement. About 135 Petsense stores are expected to remain open.

The Perry location is expected to remain open for the next 10 to 12 weeks, or until all the merchandise is gone. The store manager declined comment.