Creature comforts: pet food warehouse celebrates two decades of fulfilling needs.

• Author: Grenn, Ben
• Position: PetZoo & Animal Food Warehouse

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Alaska Business Monthly 106 Lions and tigers and bears ... oh my! Don't expect to see any of those ferocious animals at any of the PetZoo or Animal Food Warehouse locations, unless they happen to be a part of the store's inventory of stuffed toys.

What customers will find are small pets, running the gamut from various species of birds, cute and cuddly rabbits, reptiles and fish, to supplies and merchandise-including accessories of clothing and jewelry; bags, cans, packages, bottles and buckets of pet food; ... and more pet food. Warehouses full of pet food. You get the picture.

Their name says it all.

"We sell approximately 500,000 to 600,000 pounds of food monthly, in addition to the pet supplies at all our stores combined," said Larry Tallman, who is the majority owner between the three principals of PetZoo.

"This all started in Tim's (Sonnentag) garage," said Tallman. "It began as a feed store venture and grew from there."

The idea for the pet store endeavor was the brainchild of Sonnentag in 1986, but wasn't actually launched until a year later. The company is celebrating two decades of supplying Alaskans with their pet needs and wants.

The dual-concept stores, both named PetZoo & Animal Food Warehouse, are now Alaska's largest, locally owned and operated pet food and accessory suppliers in the state. Tallman connected with the venture in 1996 to team with Sonnentag and with Nicci Slack, who joined the ownership team last year. Its parent company is Sunny Day Distributing LLC.

TO THE RESCUE

PetZoo believes every animal deserves to have a home. They've matched hundreds of pets with new homes. It supports the adoption and rescue of ANY animal. PetZoo & Animal Food Warehouse has gone a step farther when it comes to animals that they sell. If you're a Top Dog Rewards card member, the pet you purchase from them has a "home for life." If for any reason you cannot keep your healthy pet, it can be returned to them (no refund) and they will find it a qualified home. They support local animal rescue and adoption groups and match your donations each month, up to $500.

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"Because Alaska is the center of our universe," says Tallman, "we concentrate all of our efforts on serving fellow Alaskans. We are not a big conglomerate company or chain store; instead we are an Alaskan-owned and -operated company, which is passionate about pets and passionate about Alaska.

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"We get involved with...