Pet stores survives pandemic, seeks to hire reliable help

An independently-owned pet supply store has survived the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Now it faces a seemingly even more daunting challenge — hiring reliable help for the holidays.

During coronavirus quarantine earlier this year, the business received a federal Paycheck Protection Loan designed to allow employers to keep their workers employed during the pandemic. make a number of changes to how they operate.

“The PPP loan helped us be able to hire back employees that we had to lay off, and helped us keep our doors open. We thought we were going to have to close two of our stores but with the help of our amazing employees, and our attorney, banker, and CPA, we pulled through, said Nancy Guinn, founder, and owner of Dog Krazy.

In addition, Dog Krazy ramped up its online store and hired more employees to help manage online orders.

“Our deliveries have jumped over 1000% since the pandemic hit. We have had to learn to give our online customers the same in-store experience we are known for,” said Guinn.

Dog Krazy was able to retain 75% of its employees and is continuing to promote its delivery services and online store. However, the pet store faces a new challenge of hiring and retaining new employees.

Guinn says 90% of applicants do not show up to their scheduled interview, and over 50% of hired applicants call or email their first day saying they do not feel safe working because of the coronavirus. 

They are now over hiring at all their locations to address this problem. They have also found that applicants that apply through their website are more reliable than ones that apply through job listing websites. So far, their biggest challenge has been filling positions on their website.

Dog Krazy has filled out positions for all of the holidays through February, and are currently looking for pickers for their warehouse to help fulfill online orders. They try to hire at least two extra workers for each of their locations.

They are looking for workers with a “love of animals, eagerness to learn about [their] products and nutrition and pets, and they must be reliable and trustworthy,” said Guinn.

The pay for the position varies and is based on experience and hours vary by store, she adds. Applicants may apply for a job using the company’s website.

Guinn’s advice to small businesses also operating during this pandemic is this:

“Don’t give up.  I remember waking up in March and crying within minutes of opening my eyes.  Panic would set in almost immediately and I couldn’t breathe.  I watched many of my friends give up and close their businesses. We realized we had to make changes to the way we do business and we put all our energy into our online store and servicing our customers in their homes.  We asked our customers for their support and they got us through the toughest time we have ever experienced.  There are resources out there to help you manage your business and to give you support.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Dog Krazy was founded in 2006 and currently has six stores including:

• 307 William Street in Downtown Fredericksburg
• 10681 Spotsylvania Avenue in Spotsylvania County
• 315 Garrisonville Rd Suite 105A in North Stafford