MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO — Dane Creek Capital Corp. has acquired another pet specialty retailer based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, through its majority-owned subsidiary, United Raw Pet Foods. The acquisition of Pets West Pets & Supplies Ltd. marks the company’s fifth raw-focused pet specialty acquisition to date.

Dane Creek acquired Pets West for approximately half of the retailer’s expected revenue for the current fiscal year ending Jan. 31. The exact amount of the transaction was not disclosed.

Saanich-based Pets West stocks a full line of food and supplies for dogs, cats and exotic animals. The store spans 4,500 square feet and features a recently expanded freezer section, where it offers a large selection of raw options. Pets West currently stocks United Raw brands including Mountain Dog and Pets4Life. The retailer also sells dry and canned pet food formulas from Canadian manufacturers Champion Petfoods and Petcurean.

Pets West has been led by Lisa Nitkin since 1989. She will stay on to assist the ownership transition until 2022.

“We are very pleased to be adding Pets West to the United Raw family of retail locations on Vancouver Island,” said Mark Warren, chairman and chief executive officer of Dane Creek. “Lisa and her exceptional team have not only created a premium shopping experience for pet owners living in the Greater Victoria metropolitan area but have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to animal welfare and social responsibility as evidenced by their support for a wide variety of community organizations. We fully intend to build on this legacy.”

Dane Creek now owns seven pet retail locations on Vancouver Island, an area which Warren previously described as one of the fastest-growing communities within British Columbia.

In August, Dane Creek acquired two raw-focused retailers — Lucky Paws Enterprises Inc. and A Pet’s Life Ventures Inc. — in Vancouver Island. In April, Dane Creek acquired The Wild Side Pet Boutique Inc., which runs two pet retail stores in British Columbia. In January, the company acquired Growlies Pet Foods Inc., which operates a store, warehouse and freezers in Victoria, British Columbia.

“Pets West exceeds all of the published industry standard metrics, including revenue per square foot per annum and inventory turnover per annum,” Warren said. “This acquisition furthers our efforts to establish a pet-focused ecosystem on Vancouver Island, which will have, at its base, retail operations offering pet owners a unique and innovative shopping experience.”

Following its acquisition of Pets West, Dane Creek plans to expand the retailer’s frozen pet food selection.

“I am of the view that United Raw is the best partner to ensure that what my team and I have built at Pets West over the years will continue,” Nitkin said. “Over the past 32 years, our sole focus has been to provide the very best products, food, and advice for all types of pets in Greater Victoria, following many of our pet parents through good times and bad. It has been an absolute honor to share in these moments and be a part of their lives.

“I also want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their tremendous support over the years,” Nitkin continued. “As an organization fully devoted to the pet industry and very focused on providing pet owners on Vancouver Island the best products and services, I believe our pet parents and their pets will benefit from United Raw’s stewardship.”

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