Just when you think you’ve seen everything for pets, there’s more. At the Rye Ridge Shopping Center, Pet Valu celebrated its Grand Opening May 3 with plenty of fun for animals and their owners.

By Georgetta L. Morque

Just when you think you’ve seen everything for pets, there’s more. At the Rye Ridge Shopping Center, Pet Valu celebrated its Grand Opening May 3 with plenty of fun for animals and their owners. The new store, in the space vacated by Finch’s, is the first Pet Valu in Westchester and one of the latest additions to the company’s 400 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

With its hardwood floors and stylish interior, Pet Valu presents a boutique-like atmosphere and products for all types of animals, featuring everything from fun toys and the latest travel gear to organic foods and nutritional supplements – basically all a pet would ever need or want. But the biggest attractions are the two self-wash dog tubs where owners can pamper their pooch with a salon-like experience.

“The self-dog wash is one of the elements that sets us apart,” said Ally Homa, Pet Valu’s digital marketing coordinator. Owners can slip on waterproof aprons and hook their dog safely in one of two raised stalls and bathe them with a choice of shampoos, including a papaya and oatmeal luxury two-in-one variety or a medicated oatmeal, tea tree, and vitamin E formula for dry and itchy skin. There’s also a product for hypoallergenic puppies. Treats are available to lure dogs in, if necessary. Once in, they seem to have a blast. For $10 — $5 with a special coupon valid until May 24 — this service has been a big draw, according to Homa. For in-between shampoos, owners can purchase a variety of pet cologne.

Proper nutrition and health are important to Pet Valu. Staff experts are trained in a pet health and nutrition program designed for the company by the University of California Davis Extension. The store features vitamins with all-natural ingredients from companies such as Head to Tail and foods with whole grains and protein from Performatrin and others. There’s the omega-3-enhanced Groovy Gravy brand for cats and dogs, live crickets for reptiles, and more. VIP Pet Care, a vet clinic, was on board at the grand opening and will return several times this summer.

Pet Valu sells everything except pets although the store hosts adoptions with local rescue organizations. The company regularly collects money through fundraisers for rescue programs.“We are always trying to give back to local rescues,” said Homa.

As its name indicates, Pet Valu offers competitive pricing. For more information, visit petvalu .com, call 481-1903, or make your pet’s day and stop in.