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Petland Celebrates A Year Of Growth, Community Impact, And Commitment To Pets
CHILLICOTHE, OH (Jan. 5, 2026) – During 2025, Petland, Inc. demonstrated why it has remained a trusted leader in the pet industry for nearly six decades, marking another year of franchise success, animal welfare leadership, and meaningful community impact across the United States.
Petland’s strength as a franchise brand was once again recognized nationally when the company earned a spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s prestigious Franchise 500® list for the 46th year in a row, ranking 215th among nearly 3,500 franchise concepts evaluated. With more than 250 franchise locations worldwide, Petland also continued to gain global recognition, having recently been ranked among Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchise Operations.
“2025 was a year that truly reflected who we are as a company,” said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. “From continued recognition as a leading franchise brand to the countless ways our teams showed up for pets and people in their communities, Petland remains focused on strengthening the human-animal bond, supporting responsible pet ownership, and doing the right thing every day for animals and the families who love them.”
Throughout the year, Petland emphasized education and awareness around responsible pet care. National campaigns highlighted the proven physical, mental, and social benefits of pet ownership, summer heat safety, Fourth of July anxiety prevention, and the importance of vaccinations during National Immunization Awareness Month. Through these initiatives, Petland reinforced its role as a trusted resource for pet owners, encouraging proactive veterinary care and safe, informed decision-making.
Community support remained a cornerstone of Petland’s mission. Across the country, Petland stores and Petland Charities stepped up to meet urgent local needs. In Ohio, Petland Chillicothe partnered with firefighters to help a family heal after losing their home and pet in a devastating fire, providing supplies and support for two new puppies. In Fairfield, Ohio, a Petland team transformed a young girl’s birthday into an unforgettable moment of healing by surprising her with a puppy after a year marked by profound loss. Elsewhere, Petland teams delivered food, supplies, and financial donations to animal rescues, domestic violence shelters, and families in crisis to ensure pets were cared for during life’s most difficult moments.
Petland Charities continued to expand its national impact in 2025. Through initiatives like the K9 Feeding Program, Petland supported law enforcement K9s, search dogs, and certified school therapy dogs by helping offset food costs for communities and handlers. The company also contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, food, and supplies to shelters, rescues, veterans’ organizations, disaster relief efforts, and programs that support retired breeding dogs.
A strong commitment to animal welfare and ethical practices remained central to Petland’s operations. In partnership with the American Kennel Club and regulatory agencies, Petland co-hosted the 11th Annual Ohio Breeder Symposium, welcoming more than 200 breeders to focus on ethics, responsibility, and science-based breeding practices. Petland’s animal welfare and breeder relations teams continued rigorous oversight protocols, including regular breeder visits and strict compliance standards that exceed federal requirements.
2025 Year in Review
Petland also celebrated moments of joy and community connection. Events like the annual Petland Wiener Races brought families together while spotlighting responsible pet ownership and pet health requirements. At the store level, teams demonstrated vigilance and care, including celebrating the recovery of a stolen puppy in Fairfield, Ohio, after more than three months missing – thanks to microchipping and close cooperation with local law enforcement – with the result being a happy ending and bright future for the young dog.
Even amid public criticism from animal activist groups, Petland reaffirmed its transparency, values, and longstanding support of both responsible breeders and pet adoption. Since launching its Adopt-A-Pet program in 1998, Petland has helped find homes for more than 350,000 homeless pets nationwide, while continuing to offer consumers choice, education, and industry-leading pet health warranties.
Petland’s 2025 accomplishments reflect a consistent focus on people, pets, and purpose. With nearly 60 years of industry experience, and a nationwide network of passionate franchisees, Petland remains dedicated to enriching lives through the human-animal bond – today and for generations to come.
Media contact: Maria Smith, Communications Director, maria.smith@petlandinc.com, 740-775-2464.Petland, Inc. is a specialty pet retail franchise operation with nearly 250 global locations. For nearly 60 years, Petland pet counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.