Popular Bucks Co. Pet Store Celebrates 25th Anniversary

NEWTOWN, PA — Tails were wagging across Bucks County on Saturday as Dogs & Cats Rule celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting, free samples, and lots of discounts on pet supplies

George Parente and his sister, JoAnn, the owners of the locally owned and operated pet store chain, were on hand to celebrate the milestone at their Newtown location, the first to open a quarter of a century ago.

They have since grown the business to seven locations in Newtown, Doylestown, New Hope, Maple Glen, Blue Bell, Pennington and Princeton.

"Congratulations on 25 years in Newtown. It's not often we get businesses that stick around for 25 years and are continuing to grow," said Greg Kramer, who officiated at a rainy ribbon-cutting ceremony.

State Rep. Perry Warren was on hand to congratulate the store and its owners on its milestone. And a representative from U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's office delivered a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to the store owners to mark the occasion.

The brother and sister opened their first store at the Newtown Shopping Center on Sept. 4, 2001, just days before the terror attacks of Sept. 11.

Cats & Dogs Rule owners George Parente and his sister, JoAnn. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

"I remember people asked us how it affected our business. I said we don't know because we had just opened," said George. "It was a crazy time."

But the times got even crazier and more challenging with the 2009 financial crisis and then the COVID pandemic in 2020, both of which threatened their business.

"It's been a hell of a ride for 25 years," said George. "It's all positive. It's all good things. People love their animals, and we get the benefit of that," he said.

The Parente family had been in the food business since the early 1900s, and George had previously operated a deli in Richboro. "I was really getting trampled on by the big boys then," he said.

So George made a change from people food to pet food, turned his attention to providing pet parents with the very best of natural and organic diets for their dogs and cats, and the rest is history.

On Saturday, as long lines greeted the store's opening, George and JoAnn felt humbled and gratified.

"This is amazing - the turnout and the response," said George. "It's very gratifying.

"We opened this store 25 years ago. We're now very fortunate to have six other stores and that people have supported us in each town we have gone to," said George.

"You really don't know the effect you're having. People thank you. You give them their product, and you hopefully helped them with their animals," said George. "And that's the thing. Customers from 20 years ago still come in and say, ' You helped me with my pet' back then. It's gratifying.'

He joined JoAnn in thanking "all of our customers for their support over the years. We would not be here without them."

For more information about Dogs & Cats Rule, click here.