New pet shop fulfills booming demand for grooming

For many pet owners in Sammamish, the wait for a grooming appointment can last months.

Factors like the pet adoption boom during the COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of staff has led to longer wait times. This high demand has created an opportunity for new entrants.

Himani Agarwal, a seven-year Sammamish resident, decided to follow her passion and open a one-stop shop for grooming. Her business, Purewag, soft launched on Nov. 4 and will have its grand opening on Dec. 4.

Supported by a staff of four, including two groomers, Purewag offers grooming services for cats and dogs, as well as all natural, organic and environmentally friendly pet products Including dog and cat toys and healthy foods and treats.

“I always wanted to do something of my own, and what better purpose could have I asked for, as I cannot imagine a life without pets,” said Agarwal, who added a second pet to her household during the pandemic.

Agarwal thinks existing businesses are struggling to meet the increased demand for pet services, creating a healthy ecosystem for all local businesses to flourish. She also believes her offering of a one-stop shop for natural, eco-friendly pet products and grooming is a unique value proposition for Sammamish.

Having grown up surrounded by pets in a multigenerational family setting where everyone was passionate about animals, Agarwal was most influenced by her grandmother who was always vocal about the fact that animals cannot speak for themselves. She is determined to make an impact by taking good care of these animals.

She also wants to create a platform where small businesses could sell their organic, environmentally friendly or natural products. “Shop local, shop small business” is the mantra she strives for.

Purewag offers some selective items such as treats from Punk-n-Pye’s, a small business in California that makes dog treats with human-grade ingredients.

Eco-friendly products also include poop bag dispensers made of recycled banners, bio-degradable poop bags, hand-knit toys, pet collars manufactured from recycled plastic bottles, and bamboo toothbrushes and hairbrushes.

While crediting her family for their support, Agarwal is grateful to her dedicated team of pet enthusiasts. She said her team is highly experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to pet nutrition or grooming. Mykayla Muth, the store manager, has more than 10 years of relevant experience in the pet industry and is passionate about her work.

“Stop by, we would be happy to talk to you about your four-legged loved ones,” said Agarwal.

Purewag is located at 3050 Issaquah Pine Lake Rd SE in Sammamish. They can be reached for grooming appointments at (425) 224-7255.