Where Pets are Family at Peticular
For those who know their pet is family, Peticular is a space where that sentiment is celebrated. Kathy Sundstrom discovers what makes it so much more than a pet store.
In our household, whenever one of the children begins the familiar “I’m the favourite” argument, I offer the same response every time, usually delivered with just enough seriousness to keep them guessing: “Neo is the favourite child.”
Neo, our Groodle, is a strong contender for the title, if anyone were to pick favourites (which any parents know we never do). Our children know they are loved but, like many families, there is an unspoken understanding that our pet holds a very special place in the hierarchy.
Because the truth is, Neo is woven into our daily life in a way that feels effortless and constant. He is there in the quiet moments, the chaos, the routines and the pauses in between.
He is not just a pet. He is part of the family. And that quiet shift in how we see our animals is exactly what Peticular has understood from the beginning.
This Peregian Beach icon is more than a pet store – it’s a boutique destination that has built its reputation around a simple idea: that pets are part of the family and deserve to be treated that way.
It is not a chain or a franchise, but a locally owned business where long-time Sunshine Coast locals Ben and Kaitlyn Akers hold a clear point of view on what pet retail can be.
“We’ve never wanted to be just another pet store,” Kaitlyn says. “For us, it’s about creating a space that reflects how people really feel about their pets.”
Step inside and it is immediately clear this is not your standard pet shop. There is a considered feel to everything, from shelves lined with design-led accessories to a carefully curated selection of leads, collars, bedding and toys. It is less about excess and more about choosing well. Pieces that feel as though they belong in your home, not hidden away in a corner.
That approach resonates with a customer who cares. Someone who values quality, appreciates good design and wants the same level of thought applied to their pet’s world as their own.
“Most of our customers don’t see their animals as pets, they see them as family. Everything we do comes back to that,” Ben says.
And that customer is not hard to find here.
Peticular’s community stretches from Caloundra through to Brisbane, with many returning time and again. Some are families, others are couples, and many are households where pets hold the kind of place traditionally reserved for children.
There is a strong sense of connection among them, a shared understanding that their animals are part of their identity, their routines and their lives.
It is this sense of belonging that gives the space its warmth.
“We’re locals, and that matters to us. We know our customers, we know their dogs by name, and we love being part of that everyday connection,” Kaitlyn says.
Conversations happen easily. Recommendations are shared. New arrivals are greeted with the same enthusiasm as regulars. It feels less like a transaction and more like a meeting point for people who simply get it.
And then there is the Barkery. Because if we are honest, no outing feels complete without a treat, and Peticular has extended that ritual to its four-legged clientele.
Behind the counter sits a selection of biscuits and baked goods that would not look out of place at a child’s birthday party. Thoughtfully made and designed specifically for dogs, they bring a sense of occasion to even the simplest visit.
“The Barkery has been such a joy,” Kaitlyn says. “It turns a simple visit into something a little more fun, a little more memorable for both the dog and the owner.”
It is not uncommon to see customers linger a little longer here, letting their dog choose something special, turning a quick stop into a small, shared experience.
That idea of inclusion, of pets being part of everyday moments, is at the heart of everything Peticular does.
It extends beyond the products themselves into how people use them.
A morning coffee run becomes a walk that includes a stop in store. A weekend outing might take in one of the Coast’s many pet-friendly cafés, with Peticular as the natural starting or finishing point.
Even workplaces are shifting, with more businesses welcoming dogs, and owners looking for accessories that are as functional as they are refined.
Peticular sits comfortably within that lifestyle.
It is a place that understands that buying for your pet is rarely just about need. It is about care, about expression, and sometimes, about a little bit of joy.
Whether that is selecting a beautifully made lead, putting together a thoughtful gift for a fellow pet lover, or simply picking up a treat from The Barkery, each interaction adds to a bigger picture.
One where pets are not on the sidelines, but right at the centre.
While the store has built a strong online presence, with orders reaching interstate and beyond, the focus remains firmly on its local community. Encouraging people through the door, fostering connection and creating a space people want to return to again and again.
“Even though we have an online store, the in-store experience is where everything comes to life,” Kaitlyn says. “It’s about connection, not just convenience.”
Because in the end, that is what sets Peticular apart.
It is not just what is on the shelves, but how it makes people feel about the animals they share their lives with.
Seen, understood and perhaps just a little validated in the belief that yes, your pet might actually sometimes be your favourite.
And really, who could argue with that.
