Mother Nature Pet Supply owner Carla DellaContrada knows the value of loyalty — and not just when it comes to pets.
The store, which opened in Limestone Commons in Manlius Nov. 21, has a loyalty program which rewards customers 10 percent store credit back on their first six sales. So far, more than 100 customers have signed up for the program.
DellaContrada, who runs the business with help from her husband, Dave, says customers love the program, along with the personal, caring service they get at the shop. The couple lives in the Sedgwick neighborhood of Eastwood, Syracuse, with their two teenage sons and DellaContrada’s 82-year-old grandmother.
“We want them to have a great shopping experience, and have an opportunity to talk to us about their pets, and bring their pets with them to shop,” she said. “Being an independent business, we can carry whatever products we want to, and are always learning about and looking for the best things to bring in.”
Mother Nature Pet Supply is independent, health conscious and pet friendly. It offers a full line of pet supplies for dogs and cats, and some food and supplies for smaller animals, birds and fish. Natural, holistic, super-premium foods and treats, durable toys, unique beds and accessories can all be found at the shop.
Local animal owners are glad to have a pet store nearby, DellaContrada said. The closest pet supply store is 7 miles away on Erie Boulevard, and Mother Nature Pet Supply is the only natural store of its kind within a 20-mile radius.
“They are glad they don’t have to drive all the way to Erie Boulevard for their pet supplies,” she said. “They are also happy that we sell natural products, so they know what they are giving their pets is healthy for them.”
DellaContrada has loved animals from an early age, having once aspired to be a vet. Her plans for the store go well beyond selling pet supplies.
“There are also several shelter/rescue groups that work in or around the area, and we wanted to add the element of supporting adoption and rescue, as [my husband and I] believe strongly in that, and have many adopted animals,” she said.
The couple has helped trap, spay and neuter many of the feral cats in their neighborhood.
“That’s why we want to do the 10-10-10 program, and have adoption events here at the store,” she said.
Through the 10-10-10 program, the store will issue certificates to the local shelters to give out to anyone who adopts a pet. Adopters will be able to bring the certificate to the store withing 10 days of adopting a pet and receive $10 toward their first purchase, with 10 percent of the entire sale being given to the adoption agency or shelter
“We also have onsite engraving, and are hoping this program will promote the new adoptive parents to purchase ID tags for their new pets,” DellaContrada said.
“Our goal is to host shelter animals right on site, but that is down the road a bit.”
Customers of the pet store do not need to look far to see the results of DellaContrada’s passion for helping animals in need. Buddy, a 2-year-old Plott Hound that she adopted through a rescue on Kinne Street called Helping Hounds, is at the store daily to greet customers.
“The customers just love Buddy,” she said. “He is the sweetest dog, and quite handsome, too.”
Mother Nature Pet Supply is located at 240 W. Seneca Street in the village of Manlius.
