Petcetera to close Niagara Falls, Ont., and Abbotsford, B.C., locations

RICHMOND, B.C. – Pet supply store Petcetera said Tuesday that it will close two of its 18 remaining stores as it continues to restructure.

Stores in Niagara Falls, Ont., and Abbotsford, B.C., which employ about 20 people will close by the end of April.

The company, based in Richmond, B.C., had announced in mid-March that it planned to file for creditor protection in order to restructure its operations.

In 2009, Petcetera closed 31 of its stores across the country as part of a restructuring and was left with 18 locations.

Petcetera says inventory in the Niagara Falls and Abbotsford locations will be liquidated at discounts ranging from 25 per cent to 90 per cent.

Petcetera currently employs more than 300 employees in its British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

“We are reviewing all areas of our business and other options available to us, including the closure of unprofitable locations, said president and CEO Dan Urbani in a statement.

“We have concluded that stores in Abbotsford and Niagara Falls are not viable and will be closed.”

Petcetera sells supplies for pet owners as well as offers services including pet hospitals, grooming, obedience school and doggy daycare centres.