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Accent On Animals
Rating Details »
Category: Pet Stores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Washington Square West804 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-8420
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16 reviews for Accent On Animals
My bf FINALLY convinced me to adopt kittens, and thank god he did because they are awesome and cuddly and cute! He got so into the idea that before we even filled out the paperwork he had researched the best litter, food, toys, etc. we should have for them. The problem was then finding a place in CC where we could pick up said items without overpaying for them.
There's a Doggie Style a block away from us, but they have a very limited cat section (I was surprised they had anything!). And after consulting Yelp for places, I found that Accent On Animals was probably my best choice - I just didn't want to encounter the infamous rude owner, so I kept putting it off!
Finally, I faced reality (out of cat food = BAD), so I went and now its the pet store I frequent. They carry the brands we use (World's Best Cat Litter, and EVO/Innova cat food), and thankfully their prices are relatively the same as what we can find online so I don't feel ripped off when I walk out of there. They have an surprisingly large selection of brands and products, and cater to probably every kind of typical pet. By now, I've been there enough times to experience both owners, and while you can definitely sense their different personalities instantly, before even entering the store, I've never been treated 'badly' by either in any way; one just SMILES and says hi when I enter, the other is, well, more reserved I guess.
I've been a regular but sporadic customer of this shop for almost six years now, but I'll never set foot inside again, and here's why:
A few weeks ago, I was in picking up treats, pickup bags, and other assorted supplies. While in the store, I overheard (it's impossible not to overhear everything, the place is TINY) a guy across the counter talking with the owners about his baby turtle business. The owners were telling him that customers had come in asking about his turtles, and were politely asking him not to sell them outside of their store. Assuming this guy was some kind of amateur (selling turtles on south street?) I decided to do him a favor and let him know that selling baby turtles has been illegal since 1976, due to baby turtles being "the main cause of more than a quarter million cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis, primarily in children" ( via the Humane Society. http://www.hsus.org/wi... ).
My assumptions about Turtle Guy had turned out to be wrong. He was apparently quite aware of the legality of his business, as the minute I finished talking he was in a literal RAGE, screaming at me telling me to mind my own business and threatening to hit me. I've been living in this city for too damn long to not take shit like that seriously: When admitted criminals start threatening physical violence against you, call the cops.
The women who owned the store were extraordinarily unhappy that I had requested the police presence, and when they showed up told the police "He's been a customer for 14 years, have you ["you" meaning me]? We didn't see anything." When I told them I felt they had a moral obligation to not lie to the police, the Grumpy One called me "one of them ex-hippies" and demanded the police remove me from their store, which they did.
As a side note, when I mentioned to the police that selling baby turtles was illegal (and the whole time, Turtle Guy is standing in front of the cops, still threatening me, still shouting, defending his business as being clean because "I breed them myself, they aren't those chinese ones that make people sick" as I'm filling out the police paperwork), the officer shrugged and said "well, i don't know about that" and refused to discuss the matter any further.
So, in summary, the owners of this store knowingly support illegal pet sales that make children sick, lie to the police to cover up for said criminals, and kick people out of their store for having morals. There are LOTS of pet stores in this city, and I urge everyone I know to go to any one of them that isn't Accent On Animals.
Yup... one rude lady and one nice one. The first lady told me they couldn't order the specialty low allergen cat food I needed. I stopped in for something else a couple of months later and the second lady told me that they actually COULD special order it. Hm. Anyway, as it turns out they now carry the brand I use (Natural Balance) so it's a non-issue.
Good place to shop if you need food for your pet's special diet. The aisles are quite tiny and claustrophobic, but for such a small shop they really do have quite a wide selection.
I've only ever gotten the infamous grumpy lady. I can forgive people for being grumpy. However, there's a huge difference between 'grumpy' and 'bullying' and 'bad service'. I went in for some stuff for my cat (a new flea collar, treats, etc. random assortment) and asked if they carried a specific brand of larvae and egg drops. These aren't the same as flea drops - flea drops are usually around $20 and larvae and egg drops are usually around $8. She said they didn't carry the brand, grabbed some off brand from a shelf behind her, said they were the same thing, and rung me up for them without asking me if i wanted them or even giving me a chance to speak. I wanted an $8 product and she rang me for something that cost $18.99. When I told her that wasn't what I needed she gave me a look that could pop popcorn and stared at me unblinkingly for a moment, as though I were being an irresponsible pet owner and endangering my pet's welfare for not buying the stupid unknown brand of a product I didn't need. I did let her talk me into buying a similar off-brand flea collar that shed white powder everywhere, smelled like poison, and didn't protect my cat. I ended up throwing it away after 2 months, buying stuff from CVS, and my cat is now flea-free.
I used to stop in here when I lived in South Philly because they carry all the good/healthy brands of cat & dog food for my boys. They also have a lot of toys and supplies. I bought my dog's crate here and it was cheaper than at the big chain stores. The only gripe I have is that sometimes they run out of my dog or cat food. I know it is hard to predict business and ordering but my dog has very sensitive food allergies and can only eat a few brands of food. Overall, the prices are reasonable and it's a great store, especially with their new(ish) mural on the outside. And the little black store cat is adorable.
This place is close to my house so I've been in a time or two. It's TINY. Like, seriously small. I've never experienced the mean lady who works here. Every time I've been in whoever was behind the counter has been helpful. Last time the woman's dog was there, Cookie, who was an insanely well behaved, sweet dog. AOA doesn't carry my dog food (Wellness Core adult formula but they do carry other Wellness products) so I don't buy food here. I've gotten bully sticks and toys mostly and the occasional can of wet food. It's really pretty expensive but I guess that comes with the location.
Went here looking for tapeworm pills for our cats, and were delighted to discover that AOAs prices were cheaper than petsmart. We ended up wandering the aisles for a long long time, and the kind woman working there offered help but gave us space to explore. They have tons of treats and toys and treatments for cats, unlike other places (like doggie style) that have super limited cat supply. Also the woman working there was knowledgeable and gave us advice about how to get the cats to take the pills and where tapeworm comes from and so on. Great spot to shop, only wish I wasn't so poor so we could spoil our kitties w/ all the toys in the shop. Ah well, the prices are all fair and I will definitely be back.
Regarding the two ladies that work there or own it, one is really nice. The other is super cranky and not very friendly. Cross your fingers and hope you get the nice one (btw--you can tell which is which just by looking at them. go with the one that smiles).
The place is super cramped, but has lots of stuff--except the stuff I really need (smaller cans of dog food). Why just the big cans, ladies?
Unfortunately, it's the closest pet store to my place so they have my somewhat reluctant business.
Three stars go to the lady that smiles.
I just got a baby turtle on Sunday and needed some food for him. My mother told me about this place and I did check it out on YELP first! LOL
Seriously I love the enviroment I was in and out. The Clerk was nice and very helpful. Prices are good I guess for turtle food who knows. I like it plus it is near my job so I didnt have to go far.
I'd be remiss not to mention the warm greeting I got today as I strolled into AOA in search of a doggy treat. The lady working was buzzing around the store (looked like she was in the middle of stuff), but she offered her help nonetheless...and with a smile. I take back what I said about the ladies not being charmers and thereby grant AOA 4 stars. Cheers!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/1/2009
Don't expect to find cute dog outfits here, but when it comes to quality food and supplies, they've… Read more »
Accent on Animals is really one of the ONLY choices in the Philadelphia area for small pet items unless you're prepared to drive to the outskirts of town for one of the bigger chain stores. If you have hamsters, guinea pigs - basically anything other than a cat or dog (in which case there is a far superiour selection at the local "Doggy Style" chain) - Accent on Animals is your one-stop-shop.
It's flawed; the shelves are so close together that anyone above a size 4 is going to feel smooshed. The women who run the place (possibly lesbian lovers?) have a tendency to be kind of curt and short, even if you're a 2 year loyal customer like myself. Often times you are at their ordering mercy; I had pet rats and for the first year of shopping there I got them a certain kind of food, and then one day I went in to be told that they had decided to stop ordering it.
Also it's often the case that they have something you need, but they only have one TYPE of that item and it's not the type you need. For instance with my guinea pigs I need water bottles that can hang off of the side of a wire grid cage; the only type of water bottle they sell comes with suction cups to be mounted to an aquarium style cage/tank.
Despite the hit-or-miss nature of what they carry, it really is the only "local" choice, and the price is right.
*EDIT* - Also, be wary that their return/exchange policy is non existent and it seems like they make it up as they go along. I bought a bottle of orange urine-removal spray that we ended up not needing, and I had the receipt and it was unused, but she didn't want to take it back because "people take liquid things like that and pour them out and fill them up with water." Okay then...
I have a cat but I don't dress him in little outfits or feed him gourmet food in a can. He doesn't even have a jangly bell (he just hangs out like a lazy bastard in my apartment). But when I needed to by nail clippers or stuff to break up his hairballs Accent was convenient and not grossly overpriced. They have animal supplies to cater to the needs of dog-owners, bird-owners, fish-owners, etc.
What I like is that it is a more down to earth store and not as ootsy-cutsie as some of the other pet 'boutiques.'
It's a nice little pet shop....tons of toys, one beef I have...they do not sell EVO here and that's all my babies eat!
But it's a real pet shop...they have an awesome in store kitty and they've got all the shampoos, greenies, brushes and Kongs a dog could need.
I also love how they put the bowl of water outside in the summer time...Benjamin always appreciates that!
Accent on Animals is C-L-U-T-T-E-R-E-D. Do NOT go in if you are claustrophobic. The shelves are so close together I felt as if they wee going to cave in on me.
Because of the photos of "Accent's Animals," I wandered in, expecting to see some actually animals. Lo and behold, Accent on Animals is not a pet shop and has no live pets.... quite the disappointment.
I am very obsessed with my dog, don't get me wrong. But I don't think he needs a plush "PAWDA" bag or other elaborately decorated accessories which he will destroy immediately. That's why I love this store and I am glad it is the closest pet store. It's simple and stocked with all the basics I need and none of the extra fancy crap. They also have lots of really good, inexpensive homemade treats by the bags and the only rawhide-esque bones that last more then five minutes in my terrier's teeth.
I had to get the dog a souvenior from Philadelpha. I was hoping they had some kind of "cheesesteak" flavored novelties, but no luck. They did, however, have the BIGGEST freaking bone I've ever seen that wasnt a leg. It was like a shoulder blade or something. It brought it back in June and she still has a some of it to chomp on. They also had Merrick flavors I've never seen out here in CA. Great selection of everything.
