All For The Pet Turns 40

From its humble origins as a small grooming shop, “All for the Pet” has grown to be Severna Park’s go-to place for everything families need to keep their animal companions healthy and happy. Now celebrating 40 years in business, the owners, Lee Morris and Mark Young, have held their own against large corporate competitors by offering not only a range of products but also a genuine compassion for helping pet owners.

“We’re not just here to check you out for dog food,” Morris said. “We’re here to talk to you.”

And whether that talk is advice on health issues, recommendations on animal adoption, education about safety and care, or just a suggestion of a new product or toy, shoppers appreciate what they hear from Morris and Young. It’s a huge part of what keeps bringing people back. “We have the most loyal customer base,” Morris observed.

All for the Pet started in 1975 as All for the Dog, Morris’ grooming business located in the same shopping center where it is today, although it was in a smaller, second-story suite rather than the storefront where it eventually moved.

All for the Dog offered dog grooming as well as a few supplies, such as treats, toys, collars and leashes. Morris expanded her products and services to cats, and to even more animals from that point. Ten years after opening, the store changed its name to All for the Pet to reflect its progression to a full-line pet store, and it moved to a larger location on the ground level.

All for the Pet expanded twice, and today has 7,000 square feet of space. Customers can find not only food, bedding and supplies but also medicinal and preventative health products (supplements, oral care, homeopathic and antiseptic) and grooming supplies (brushes, shampoos and diaper garments). Grooming services and boarding are available for a variety of animals. The shop even sells birds, fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs.

Throughout the years, the team at All for the Pet has stayed educated and thus abreast of changes in the industry. Morris indicated that when she learned about the dangers of pet treats made in China, she took actions and started eliminating Chinese-made treats from her inventory. All for the Pet became the first pet shop in Maryland to do so.

Also, All for the Pet has encouraged education by partnering with local organizations to support homeless animals and host seminars and events for public education and recreation. Morris and Young are also members of several professional associations, including the Potomac Boxer Club, of which Morris is a three-time past president, and the American Kennel Club (AKC), which has credited them as AKC Breeders of Merit.

Four decades after opening, Morris reflected that her business concept has always been to help people provide the best care for their animals. “My vision hasn’t changed, it has just kind of grown,” she said.

All for the Pet is located at 551-A Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard in Severna Park. For more information, call 410-647-0339 or find and like “All for the Pet” on Facebook.