Walmart today announced key expansions to its core pet care offerings, widening access to affordable in-person and virtual veterinary care, pet prescription delivery, grooming services, pet food and supplies, all in one convenient experience for pet owners. 

Walmart launched its first-ever Pet Services Center in Dallas, Georgia as a pilot location in Sept. 2023. Following its success, the brand is expanding with two locations in Georgia and three in Arizona, bringing the national footprint to six centers. Located on 3655 Browns Bridge Road, the Pet Services Center at Walmart’s Cumming location will open on Oct. 9 with a storewide celebration. The Pet Services Center at Walmart’s Alpharetta store, located on 5200 Windward Pkwy, will open in early November, with a parking lot preview party planned for Oct. 10. 

In collaboration with Walmart and celebration sponsors GREENIES™ & IAMS™ pet food & treats, the grand openings of these new locations will be celebrated with free pet food & dental treats for the community. Walmart will be providing two local pet charities with community grants, with the Cumming location donating $1,000 to Forsyth County Pet Resource Center and the Alpharetta location giving $1,000 to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.

According to Dogster, Georgia is one of the top 10 most dog friendly states in America, coming in at number six in a 2024 study. The research cited Georgia’s high number of dog friendly rentals, restaurants and outdoor activities. Interestingly, MarketWatch also found Atlanta serves the most Starbucks “pup cups” per capita.

“Walmart understands that pets are family and we’re proud to be a trusted destination for our  pet parents,” said Kaitlyn Shadiow, Vice President of Merchandising, Pets, Walmart U.S. “Whether shopping in-stores or online, Walmart offers a differentiated omnichannel experience and a wide assortment of offerings – from products and prescriptions to services – available at our Every Day Low Prices to make pet care affordable and convenient. Our Dallas, Georgia customers have shown us how much they value the affordable, convenient pet care solutions our first Walmart Pet Services Center brought them. We’re excited to bring Walmart Pet Service Centers to more markets and help meet our customers’ pet needs in one convenient destination.” 

The pet category continues to be one of the most dynamic in retail, with a projected annual spending growth of 7% by 2030 and household expenses expected to reach $1,445 per pet by 2026[1]. Veterinary services are now the second largest pet spending category after consumables and is expected to see continued growth as pet owners prioritize their pets’ wellbeing[2]. 

While customers are spending more on their pets, inflation continues to create unexpected financial burdens that can make caring for them a challenge. In line with Walmart’s Every Day Low Price commitment, all Pet Services Centers offer low, transparent pricing with easy-to-understand packages and build on the success of the Dallas, GA pilot as new and returning customers seek affordable, transparent care for their pets.

Walmart Pet Services Centers will continue to offer routine veterinary care (vaccines, wellness exams and minor medical services), and grooming (baths, nail trims, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning and basic hair trims), with services provided by experienced veterinary and grooming professionals in collaboration with PetIQ. Walmart has plans to continue to expand its Pet Services Centers, with ambitions to introduce the model to more communities in the future.

In addition, starting October 18, Walmart will officially launch its highly anticipated Walmart+ benefit with Pawp, which was announced earlier this year. This new telehealth service will give Walmart+ members free, 24/7 virtual access to Pawp's team of veterinary professionals via text or video. This benefit assists pet owners to quickly address their pets' health concerns from anywhere, providing peace of mind and expert care at their fingertips. Walmart also recently expanded its Pet Pharmacy services, providing customers across the country with a seamless and convenient, low-cost solution for pet prescriptions – delivered straight to their doorstep. Walmart customers can also continue to fill pet prescriptions in store. 

These announcements build on Walmart’s overall commitment to offering must-have products and some of the most sought-after brands for its pet customers. Walmart has launched several new pet brands in the past year, with new offerings including Goodlands Pet Food, Zuke’s Dog treats, Rocco and Roxie, Vets Best Flea and Tick, and so many more. 

Our goal is to replicate and scale the Walmart Pet Services model to other communities to continue helping Walmart customers save money with a goal to help their pets live better.