Family-Owned in Hamilton Since 1993: Why Shopping a Local, Canadian Pet Store Matters (Small Business Week 2026)

Published October 2026 · ~6 min read

This month marks 33 years since PetMax opened its doors in Hamilton. It started in October 1993 as PetMax Warehouse Outlet, and it’s still run by the same family today: father and son Chuck and Bryan, who live in Burlington and Hamilton. BDC Small Business Week runs October 18–24 this year, which feels like the right moment to explain what “family-owned and Canadian” actually means at our store, and why it matters where your pet food money goes.

Who is PetMax?

PetMax is an independent pet food and supply store at 45 Nebo Road in Hamilton, and one of the larger independent pet food stores in Ontario. We carry national-brand food and supplies for dogs, cats and small animals, offer full-service grooming for dogs and cats in store, and ship to every province and territory, including rural addresses and P.O. boxes. We don’t sell pets. We do sell nearly everything they eat, chew, sleep on and play with.

What does “family-owned” actually mean at PetMax?

It means the decisions get made here, by the family who owns the business. Which brands earn shelf space, how we price the bag you buy every month, how long we spend helping someone find a food their picky cat will actually eat: those calls get made in Hamilton, not at a head office in another country.

It also means your order lands somewhere very ordinary. As we wrote last holiday season in More Than a Purchase, the money from your cart turns up in swimming lessons, hockey gear and soccer cleats for our kids. That’s the honest version of “shop local.” It’s families supporting families, and we don’t take it for granted.

Where does your money go when you shop a Canadian-owned pet store?

More of it stays in Canada, and more of it stays close to home. We buy exclusively through Canadian distributors, so even when a brand is made elsewhere, the wholesale dollars pay Canadian warehouse teams, drivers and sales reps. Our staff live here. Our taxes are paid here. And when a customer asks for a product we don’t carry, the person deciding whether to bring it in is someone you can talk to.

Small businesses carry more of the Canadian economy than most people realize. According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Key Small Business Statistics 2025, 98.2% of Canada’s 1.10 million employer businesses are small businesses (1 to 99 employees), and together they employ 5.8 million people, or 46.6% of the private-sector workforce. Every “shop local” purchase is a vote for keeping that number healthy.

What do you get from a local, independent pet store?

• Advice from people who know the shelves. Our team works with these foods every day, and we read labels for a living. (If you want to do it yourself, our pet food label guide shows you how.)
• A shelf that leans Canadian. Our Shop Canadian Brands collection has more than 900 products from Canadian companies.
• Options that fit your week. Free local delivery, local pickup, and AutoShip for the food you buy on repeat. In store, frequent buyer programs with select manufacturers earn you free bags.
• Grooming under the same roof. Book a bath or full groom for your dog or cat at our Hamilton grooming salon and pick up food on the way out.

Which Canadian pet food brands does PetMax carry?

Plenty. Here are some of the Canadian companies on our shelves, and where to read more about each one.

For the full list, including Nutram, Oven-Baked Tradition and more, see our guide to Canadian pet food brands at PetMax.

5 free ways to support a small business this week

Supporting local doesn’t have to cost a thing. Here’s what helps small businesses most, ours and everyone else’s:

1. Leave a Google review. Two honest sentences help the next customer find a local option.
2. Share something useful. Forward a blog post to a friend with a new puppy, or share a post you liked on social.
3. Choose pickup or local delivery. It keeps the whole transaction in your community.
4. Tell us what you want to see. Requests shape what we stock. Get in touch any time.
5. Try one Canadian-made product. A bag of treats from the Canadian dog treats collection is an easy start.

How can I shop local with PetMax?

However suits you best. Visit us at 45 Nebo Road in Hamilton, order online for free delivery in Hamilton or Burlington on orders over $30*, or choose Pick Up at checkout and grab your order in store (bring your confirmation email). Anywhere else in Canada, we ship free on orders over $89*. Details are on our shipping page and our contact and location page.

The bottom line

Thirty-three years in, PetMax is still a family business that answers to its customers and its community. Every order, whether it’s a bag of kibble picked up on Nebo Road or a box shipped to the Yukon, supports a Canadian family and the Canadian businesses behind our shelves. Thank you for being part of our story. Happy Small Business Week.

PetMax.ca is a family-owned, Canadian pet supply retailer based in Hamilton, Ontario. We’ve been helping pet owners since 1993, ship across Canada with free shipping on orders over $89*, and offer free local delivery in Hamilton and Burlington on orders over $30*. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. When in doubt about your pet’s health, contact your veterinarian.
*Conditions Apply