Published on 4th Dec 2025
We spoke to Meg from Freddie's Pet Store
Tell us about your store and team?
Abingdon-on-Thames has always had an independant pet store. In April 2024, we opened Freddie's after the town's previous pet store closed, making Paul and me redundant. A long-time customer of the previous store asked if he could get a new lease within the complex of the previous store, and asked if we would run it for him. Paul and I have over 30 years combined experience within the pet industry, so we jumped at the opportunity to run our own store!
How did you get started in the pet industry?
I have always worked in retail, starting in a grocery store, then a newsagent's. At 19, I started working at the pet store in Abingdon. Almost 20 years later, and I'm still doing the job I love!
Do you have any pets?
Yes, throughout my childhood we always had cats and dogs, and now I have a beautiful tortoiseshell cat called Ember, 2 gerbils, a dwarf hamster, and Freddie! He is my Cocker Jack, and the name behind our store. My 2nd-in-command, Paul, has 2 border collies, Ash & Charlie, and 2 cats. Our Saturday Girl, Phoebe, has 2 Dachshunds, Winnie & Daphne, and 2 cats! As you can see, we love pets!
How do you stand out from the crowd?
We work hard to create the best experience when you come to our store.
Freddie is a fan favourite for meeting and greeting. He's a real hit with the customers.
Being a new business, we are working to create our best own label range of cat and dog foods for all life stages.
And above all, we offer a loyalty scheme - when you purchase over £10, you'll receive a stamp on your card. When you have 10 stamps, you receive 10% off your next purchase.
What do you feed your pets?
Freddie has his Own Label, grain-free dry food with Nature's Menu Freeze-Dried 80/20 Topper. Ember has Whiskas and Freddie's Own Label, adult dry. My hamster and gerbils love Mr Johnson's Hamster & Gerbil mix! Paul feeds Chappie Adult Chicken to his dogs. And a mixture of wet and dry cat food for his cats. Phoebe feeds her dogs our Own Label Skin & Coat range.
Service with a smile! And treats for pooches to hand! We get commented on how great it is to be served by happy people, and customers say how they weren't planning on coming in, but their dog was, just to come greet us at the counter for a treat!
What do you recommend to your customers?
We value our Own-Label dog food. It's a great food, whether it's grain-free or standard range, is at a decent price, and unique to us, so it encourages our customers to return.
What is the most frequently asked question from your customers?
Our customers want the best-quality ingredients in their food and the most natural treats. Often, we are asked for specific needs in food, which is why we now have our Peptide+ Range under our Own Label. We also get asked for deer legs, so we now stock them too!
What are the biggest challenges for your business?
To keep customers coming through the door, and people supporting local businesses! As a new business, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster, but we are constantly updating our look and products. We hope to move into the world of online, but a lot of our customers appreciate the one-onone experience they get in our store.
Tell us your best (family-friendly) animal joke?
How do you buy a kitten when the pet store is closed?
You order it from the cat-alogue!
What's your best selling product?
Freddie's Own Label dog and cat food. Plus, pick and mix natural treats with pigs' ears being a firm favourite!
What do you think is the best new product of the year?
Being independent, we also support independent businesses, and our range of natural treats from Pooch's is a firm hit with our customers! Allen & Page Fast Fibre has been another big hit this horse season.
What trends are you seeing come through?
Natural dog treats! People and dogs love natural treats, from pig ears to cow hooves, we sell out of most of them weekly.
Shop Natural Treats
Doodles Deli Air-Dried Venison Hooves 1kg
SKU: 269246
Packsize: Single
RRP
£59.99
Doodles Deli Air-Dried Green Lipped Mussel 1kg
SKU: 269254
Packsize: Single
RRP
£109.00
Doodles Deli Air Dried Water Buffalo Horn 1kg
SKU: 269967
Packsize: Single
RRP
£29.99