Our Story
Built from passion.
Grown with love.
What started as a tiny dream in a 300 sq ft garage has become something far bigger than we ever imagined.
What started as a tiny dream in a 300 sq ft garage has become something far bigger than we ever imagined.
Where It All Began
In 2009, Susanna and Justin opened the doors to a tiny pet store tucked off Highway 68 — all 300 square feet of it, housed in an old gas station garage bay. It wasn't much to look at, but it was theirs, and they made every inch of it count.
What was supposed to be a hobby quickly became something neither of them could ignore. Their passion for pets, their commitment to honest education, and the kind of personal customer service you just don't find at big-box stores — it all resonated. People kept coming back. Word spread.
The Call That Changed Everything
Then came the phone call. A realtor reached out — Watsonville needed a pet store, and they had the perfect space. The catch? It was 4,300 square feet. Nearly fifteen times the size of what they'd been running.
Everyone told them not to do it. Too big, too risky, too much. But Susanna and Justin had something most people underestimate: unshakeable belief in what they were building. They took the leap anyway — and they've never looked back.
Where We Are Now
That 4,300 sq ft store in Watsonville grew into a 7,200 sq ft flagship in Freedom. And the dream kept expanding — a second location opened in Santa Cruz, bringing Wishbone to the Westside community too.
You might walk in and think you're in a national chain. But it's still just Susanna and Justin — two people who built something extraordinary from the ground up, doing everything themselves, one happy pet at a time.
What Drives Us
We believe an informed pet owner is the best kind. We cut through the marketing noise and help you actually understand what's in the bowl — so you can make the best choice for your pet.
When you walk in, you'll talk to a real person who genuinely cares about your pet. Your animal's wellbeing is our first priority — not a sale, not a quota. Just your pet, first.
Every brand on our shelves earned its spot. We hand-pick products we truly believe in — natural, quality ingredients with no hidden junk. If we wouldn't feed it to our own pets, it's not in our store.
From Susanna & Justin
— Susanna & Justin, Founders of Wishbone Pet Co.
