Bethesda Pet Shoppe

On my way to somewhere els I noticed the 20% off the entire store sign and walked in since I was in the market for doggie shampoo. The small store did not have a huge selection, but there were several shampoos to choose from. I’m not sure if they are going out of business or simply doing some «winter cleaning». Either way I took advantage of the discount and got some treats and a finger toothbrush as well.
The man, who I assume to be the owner, was helpful, and while not overly friendly, also not rude. He helped me find everything I needed and reminded me that everything would be 20% off. The store is small and he moved around it with me, but I felt it to be as a way of showing me customer support (in case I had any questions). If I’m in the area again and need to pick anything up for Mochi, I’d definitely stop in.

I have come to Bethesda Pet Shoppe for years and cannot understand the few negative reviews about customer service here. Granted, I do not need my hand held as I select bird food and toys nor do I expect to be the center of some salesperson’s universe, but whenever I have a question, I am answered promptly and courteously.
Animals are the primary focus here — there are treats and water for passing animals on the sidewalk out front and larger animals on leashes are invited inside. Boarding birds are carefully tended and enjoy the company of other birds. Pictures of «Pet customers» are displayed at the checkout counter. All good!
We have boarded our sun conure here for years and are so grateful for the care given every time. The owners, staff, location and services provided make the Bethesda Pet Shoppe a gem!

NIce variety of pet foods and treats, kind neighborhood feel. They have many of those hard to find items.

New to the area so I stopped in to check out a local pet store. Asked about organic dog food for my picky mutt, if samples of the recommended brand were available, and for dog sitting recommendations. All went well until I politely asked for a bag to carry the samples. I received a scowl and an under the breath «Jesus Christ». I instructed the old guy that if I was being too much of a bother, I would take my business to a place that provides customer service without an attitude. This will not be my local pet store, jerk!

Kind, helpful and knowledgable staff. Not only do I love shopping here, but my dog also has a ball looking at the guinea pigs, etc. and enjoying treats. I buy all of my dog food and dog treats here and I always leave as a happy customer. I’ve also gone in when my dog had a hot spot and other small issues and they were able to help.

Love this store. They are always friendly to my dog, who can look a little intimidating. I mentioned in October that I wanted a warm coat for her and a month later found they had ordered the perfect coat and had it behind the counter for me. I would give them five stars if their items were a little less pricey, but they do have a good selection, and a talking parrot as well!

Great shop in Bethesda Row. The aisles are narrow and packed with stuff so it can be hard to maneuver but it also means I can find almost anything I need.
There stock of food is low-​usually only one bag per kind so often they are out of the dog food I need. But they are really helpful and will place a special order and call you when your order arrives. At least you know the food they have isn’t sitting on the shelves forever!

Great local pet store. Warm friendly knowledgeable owners!

Adorable little pet shop. I go to visit the resident African Grey Parrot, Buddy!

A great neighborhood pet shop. The selection isn’t as good as the super big stores (which are great in their own way) but BPS makes up for it by carrying some boutique brands. And surprisingly, some of the prices are better than what you can find in the big stores. And what isn’t stocked by the store, they will order for you which saves you delivery cost if you had to order it online.
I don’t buy all my pet stuff here – but I’m happy to spread the wealth between this place, the big pet stores and online.
August 2011:
Decided to deduct a star because although they will order items that they don’t carry – I’ve had multiple instances where orders were not submitted or messed up. The delay by a few days or a week then leaves me without the food my cats are willing to eat and I have to go out of my way to find items elsewhere and/​or pay more. I want to patronize my local pet store but at this point, ordering through Amazon is more reliable and the items show up on my doorstep.

A pet store within walking distance of my office, fully stocked with healthy and fun things for my cat. Yay! My cat’s food, which isn’t stocked at any of the big chain stores, is cheaper here than anywhere else I’ve purchased it. Double yay! It’s a small space, but I’m wondering whether they ever do adoption drives, etc., for MoCo shelters. Seems like it’s a well-​trafficked spot for those kind of events!

This is a really great pet shop! Given that it is a small store, they have a pretty large inventory. But, what will keep me going back is the personal attention and knowledgeable owners. They answered my questions about dog food and even gave me a bunch of samples for my dog to try out before I committed to a certain one.

The independent pet shop is well stocked, especially for birds. If you go there in the weekend there is a friendly older couple who are very knowledgeable about birds. They appear to be the store owners and are happy to help you in any way they can. Do not go there during mid week though. The staff during the weekdays are very rude, do not want you to browse around the store and do not know anything about birds. Twice now I’ve needed something but decided to walk out of the store because of their attitude. Even though we were thinking about putting our bird there for boarding during our vacation, there is no way we’ll do that now. It’s a shame as it’s a completely different store during the weekends.

Convenient location and cheap crickets.

I’ve been there twice so far looking for food and cat litter. They didn’t have it either time and the shop keeper was pretty rude. He was suggesting a different food to me and then walked away as I was explaining that I like what I use. It’s also wicked small and two people cannot stand adjacent in the same aisle. The store is overrun by birds and gerbils that share an unrecommended cage for so many animals. And clearly, no one wants to adopt them because of the ridiculously high prices. I only gave it a star because I would rather support a local petstore than a commercial one, but save your breath and go to Westbard; they are sooo much nicer and friendlier.

This is one of the most well-​stocked independently owned pet shop I have been to in the area. It is nice stepping into a pet store that doesn’t look /​empty and that gives you have a choice for stuff you are looking for. The shelves are neat and well-​organized. The owner of the store is very knowledgeable and patient with questions even if you do not end up buying anything. They sell birds, hamsters and fish in the store and they have lots of things for dogs and cats.
A place well worth checking out!

I don’t own a pet. I haven’t since 2002, before I even moved to the DC-​area. It goes without question that the day I finally do decide to buy myself a new roommate, I know exactly where I am going.
Bob and Kay, the loving couple that has been running this fine establishment for what I assume has been quite some time, treat their pets, customers, and staff like they would their own children.
A few years ago, I stumbled in out of general curiosity. As a college student then, I was interning in the area, and part of my job included a significant amount of partnering with the endless stores, restaurants, etc. of the area. After finding myself on Elm Street, I saw this cozy-​looking space and decided to take a look around.
I was a bird owner and lover, more specifically of a Quaker Parrot. Quakers are very rare, and as a matter of fact, are illegal to sell in certain states (including New Jersey). Much to my surprise, there was a bunch of them in this store, happily scurrying about — and even more surprising, the store also had them in BLUE: something I had never seen (or heard of) before.
This isn’t just some Petco or Petland — it’s a place where pet owners who really care about their furry/​feathered/​etc. friends go for the right products and expert advice.
I always loved seeing birds out in the open, happily perched without a cage in the middle of the store. Bethesda Pets satisfied that need no doubt, as I become fast friends with an African Grey Parrot.
As I stated before, Bob and Kay are the best. After engaging in a long, nostalgic conversation about my experiences as a pet owner, and the bird himself, my heart was lightened with the memories of owning a pet, more specifically, my Quaker. They even took out one of the Quakers from their cage and let me hold him for a little while. :)
These two know their trade, and very well. Not only were they knowledgeable about the birds they sold, but they knew exactly when the «hatching» season was for each species — which is no easy task: some species only hatch eggs twice a year! Bob and Kay make sure that when the time comes, these special newborns make their way to their store. Before these feathered darlings find new homes, they raise and nurture them without getting too attached (I don’t know how they do it).
Bird talk aside, the BPS offers a number of top-​quality products for all different pets: dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, gerbils, birds, you name it. They also offer to board birds for extended periods of time, so if you’re going on vacation and need accommodations for your bird while you’re gone — you know they’ll be in good hands if you «book their stay» here.
Even if you’re not looking to buy a pet any time soon, I recommend anybody to stop in. When my mother came to visit me down here I took her by BPS, and it really brightened her day (she’s even more of a bird lover than I am), and every so often she even asks me if I’ve «checked in» on the Quakers. Awwww.