Petsense, the pet store chain owned by Tractor Supply Co., hosted the grand opening of its new south Augusta location, Saturday morning.
Opening at 10 a.m., the new store was joined by Augusta Animal Services (AAS) and Kicks 99 as it welcomed visitors with its inventory, discounts, gift bags and opportunities to adopt new furry friends.
While this is the first Petsense in Augusta, the next closest location is still in the CSRA—in storefront in Grovetown, near the Walmart Supercenter, off Lewiston Road.
The store was founded in 2005 by Jim Dougherty, who also started PetSmart in 1986. Tractor Supply Co. bought the Petsense chain in 2016, two years after Dougherty retired from his role as chairman of the company’s board.
“I think the most unique thing about us is our service,” said district manager Thomas Nichols, noting the store’s “Neighbor’s Club” membership program, which lets customers earn points toward rewards—such a free dog food or pet bathing—through their purchases. Petsense shares the program with Tractor Supply.
Alongside services such as its pet grooming salon, the store also facilitates adoptions for both dogs and cats through its partnership with AAS, in keeping with the company’s own record of helping animals find homes.
“One of our mission statements is, we find forever homes for as many pets as we can,
said Nichols. “This year so far, a little over 800,000 [animals] have been adopted.”
Petsense Augusta, which opened two weeks prior to its celebration event Saturday, offers animal lovers a chance to find a new home for felines and canines, its live inventory is largely reptiles: food, such as insects, heated cages and the animals themselves.
Petsense by Tractor Supply is located at 3734 Mike Padgett Highway in Hephzibah, and at 965 Branch Court in Grovetown.
Skyler Andrews is a reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
