Em's Pet Food Store

Being a dog-owner I have something of a radar for pet shops and can sniff one out a mile away. You never know when you're going to need something for your dog, whether that be treats or essentials, like poo bags or, in the case of my destructive pair, a new lead after the old one gets chewed to bits.

Em's is one such pet store that I've used on occasion and it's ok, but nothing special. It's clearly been there for some time and looks it. The interior is a little tired and could do with a lick of paint, but that doesn't mean it's a bad shop. Most pets are catered for here and you will, after an initial hunt, find what you're looking for.

They also, strangely, sell a small selection of household goods, like brooms. Actually, now that I think about it and considering the amount of cleaning up I do after my dogs, brooms is a fairly clever thing for a pet shop to sell!

Initially, I was drawn to Em's as there was a rather lovely display of hanging baskets outside - which always brightens up a boring concrete urban road, let's face it. So I was surprised to discover that it was actually a pet food shop rather than a florist. In fact - they also cut keys, sell mops and fishing bait, and give free Thai massages whilst playing the banjo. OK, so, that last bit was a lie, but you get the picture. Anyway, this gets a thumbs up from me, for being a lovely, unexpectedly flowery and multi-faceted pet food shop - replete with friendly owner. It was also rather convenient as I did actually need to get some cat food - so where better to be than a pet food store? They seemed a little under-stocked in the whole generic pet food stakes, which isn't necessarily the greatest thing considering that it does actually call itself a pet food store - rather than a pet food/ florist/ key cutting/ fish bait/ mop and broom sellers. That said, I love a bit of a multifaceted local business, and the cat was happy that she got something out of it, so it's all good, really.

I have visited this pet store a handful of times and I have to say it is not the best pet store I have been to in Birmingham, but then again it is not the worst. It seems a bit shabby both inside and outside and could probably do with tidying up a bit. However, the interior and exterior do not really matter if you are looking for something for your beloved pet! Rather bizarrely they do sell a few household items as well as pet related things. Anyway, going back to the pet stuff, they do not seem to have much pet food in stock, but I have managed to find what I am looking for each time I have been in. The staff are quite friendly too, which is always a bonus. Overall, it is a good store, but perhaps not the best pet store.