Trending...
- IRF Builders Forum Brings Global Leaders to Washington, D.C. to Advance Religious Freedom Through Cooperative Engagement
- Ascent Solar Technologies Enters Collaborative Agreement Notice with NASA to Advance Development of Thin-Film PV Power Beaming Capabilities: ASTI
- Endoacustica Europe Unveils iPhone 13 Pro Max Spy Phone—Pure Hardware, Zero Software Changes
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Petland, Inc. founder Ed Kunzelman has been honored by the World Pet Association (WPA), receiving its Lifetime Multi-store Achievement Award. Kunzelman opened the first Petland store in downtown Chillicothe, Ohio on October 21, 1967. In the 55 years since opening, Petland has grown to include 301 retail pet store locations, in eight countries around the world.
Kunzelman's love of pets began as a child. A lifelong tropical fish enthusiast, Kunzelman spent a lot of time visiting pet stores while his father made door-to-door sales calls in southern Ohio communities. At 15 years old, Kunzelman began his own business of breeding and selling tropical fish, before going to college to pursue a career in Education. He worked as an English and History teacher until following his passion for animals by opening the first Petland store, located at 31 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe.
Recognizing Kunzelman's 55 years of service to the pet industry, WPA board member and Hagen's Director of Marketing Jeff SanSouci said, "Ed and Petland have a simple message, 'Pets Make Life Better,' and Petland is always about pets. The Petland mission is to pair the right pet with the right customer; and if you've ever walked into a Petland store, you see hamsters, birds, ferrets, dogs, cats, and beautiful tropical fish – all accessible to the customer. You'll also encounter smiling and educated pet counselors ready to help engaged, prospective pet parents."
More on Ohio Pen
The education and knowledge of Petland's pet counselors is a direct result of Kunzelman's background as a teacher. He has made pet counselor training a pillar of Petland's business model and its success. SanSouci, added, "With a focus on top-notch customer service and trained pet counselors, Petland defines leadership in the pet store retail industry by remaining the largest retailer in the world that focuses specifically on pets."
"I am grateful and humbled by this recognition from the World Pet Association," said Kunzelman. "The support Petland and I have received over the past 55 years from our loyal customers, suppliers, pet enthusiasts and so many others, has and continues to be what drives us in our mission to match pets with their lifelong families. For me personally, this has been a labor of love. I am grateful to WPA, our suppliers and my Petland family for their support and dedication to fulfilling a lifelong dream."
Still based in Chillicothe, Petland and its franchisee partners are deeply committed to giving back to the communities where its stores are located. A few examples of this support include:
To learn more about Kunzelman and Petland's journey, visit the company's history timeline at https://petland.com/about/.
More on Ohio Pen
World Pet Association (WPA) is the pet industry's oldest nonprofit organization that supports the business needs of pet retailers and promotes responsible growth and development of the pet industry. For more information about WPA or to become a member, visit www.worldpetassociation.org.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with quality, full-service retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, El Salvador and Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1967, Petland is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information about Petland, visit www.petland.com.
Contact:
Elizabeth Kunzelman
VP of Public Affairs
Petland, Inc.
740-775-2464
SOURCE Petland
Kunzelman's love of pets began as a child. A lifelong tropical fish enthusiast, Kunzelman spent a lot of time visiting pet stores while his father made door-to-door sales calls in southern Ohio communities. At 15 years old, Kunzelman began his own business of breeding and selling tropical fish, before going to college to pursue a career in Education. He worked as an English and History teacher until following his passion for animals by opening the first Petland store, located at 31 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe.
Recognizing Kunzelman's 55 years of service to the pet industry, WPA board member and Hagen's Director of Marketing Jeff SanSouci said, "Ed and Petland have a simple message, 'Pets Make Life Better,' and Petland is always about pets. The Petland mission is to pair the right pet with the right customer; and if you've ever walked into a Petland store, you see hamsters, birds, ferrets, dogs, cats, and beautiful tropical fish – all accessible to the customer. You'll also encounter smiling and educated pet counselors ready to help engaged, prospective pet parents."
More on Ohio Pen
- Lore Link is Here to Help Organize Your Game
- Chappaqua's Annual Townwide Summer Sale – Unbeatable Savings at Your Favorite Local Boutiques!
- 216 Marketing Launches New Website to Help Local Businesses Dominate Online in Northeast Ohio
- Skyline Partners with ZenSpace to Offer Private Meeting Pods for Trade Show Exhibitors
- Powerful Stories and Shared Sisterhood Shine at "An Evening with the Author" Featuring Staci Kirk
The education and knowledge of Petland's pet counselors is a direct result of Kunzelman's background as a teacher. He has made pet counselor training a pillar of Petland's business model and its success. SanSouci, added, "With a focus on top-notch customer service and trained pet counselors, Petland defines leadership in the pet store retail industry by remaining the largest retailer in the world that focuses specifically on pets."
"I am grateful and humbled by this recognition from the World Pet Association," said Kunzelman. "The support Petland and I have received over the past 55 years from our loyal customers, suppliers, pet enthusiasts and so many others, has and continues to be what drives us in our mission to match pets with their lifelong families. For me personally, this has been a labor of love. I am grateful to WPA, our suppliers and my Petland family for their support and dedication to fulfilling a lifelong dream."
Still based in Chillicothe, Petland and its franchisee partners are deeply committed to giving back to the communities where its stores are located. A few examples of this support include:
- Assistance in the placement of 350,000 abandoned pets;
- Grants awarded from Petland Charities for Pets in the Classroom to more than 800 classes;
- Food and supplies to more than 200 police K-9 units;
- Visits by Petland staff and pets to more than 3,000 nursing home facilities and schools;
- More than $1 million raised by Petland and its customers to support St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital; and
- Over 900 wishes granted through the Make a Wish Foundation.
To learn more about Kunzelman and Petland's journey, visit the company's history timeline at https://petland.com/about/.
More on Ohio Pen
- AI Innovation Dual-Strategy Business Model Focused on Real Estate Development for Strategic Expansion: OFA Group, (N A S D A Q: OFAL)
- Champions Group Expands Midwest Presence with Acquisition of McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning
- Construcción del Corredor Norte–Sur (NSC) de Singapur
- New Report: Slip and Fall Accidents Rank as the Leading Cause of Construction Site Fatalities
- Get Your Cowboy Boots On! Causeway Country BBQ Music Festival Kicks Off September 12–14 in Ft. Pierce
World Pet Association (WPA) is the pet industry's oldest nonprofit organization that supports the business needs of pet retailers and promotes responsible growth and development of the pet industry. For more information about WPA or to become a member, visit www.worldpetassociation.org.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with quality, full-service retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, El Salvador and Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1967, Petland is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information about Petland, visit www.petland.com.
Contact:
Elizabeth Kunzelman
VP of Public Affairs
Petland, Inc.
740-775-2464
SOURCE Petland
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on Ohio Pen
- Robert Michael & Co. Real Estate Team Celebrates Industry Recognition and Showcases Premier Central Florida Listings
- AI-Based Neurotoxin Countermeasure Initiative Launched to Address Emerging National Security Needs: Renovaro, Inc. (N A S D A Q: RENB)
- The Naturist World Just Shifted — NaturismRE Ignites a Global Resurgence
- $796,000 in Q2 Revenue Marks Highest Earnings to Date on 3 Trailing Quarters of Profitability in Multi-Billion Homebuilding Sector: Stock Symbol: IVDN
- Cybersecurity is THE Hot Market Sector; Revenues, Earnings & Profit matter; Only 33 Million Shares + a Huge Short Position Equal an Undervalued Stock
- Despite Global Calls for a Ban, US Child Psychiatry Pushes Electroshock for Kids
- Franco Polished Plaster Celebrates 35 Years of Bringing Walls to Life in the UK
- India's Home Textile Manufacturers See Rising Demand From US Buyers, Enabled By rivexa
- The Crave Gets Crispy: White Castle Debuts New Chicken Slider
- Spartan & Guardians Partner with Guitar Legend Buckethead to Support Global Child Rescue Efforts
- Preliminary.online Introduces Short-Term Job-Readiness Courses with Employer-Verified Certifications
- Psychologist-Turned-Hermeticist Releases Modern Guide to the Seven Hermetic Principles
- Winners Announced for Asia Pacific Business Awards 2024-2025
- Hamvay-Lang and Lampone.hu Join Forces with AIMarketingugynokseg.hu to Elevate Hungarian Lifestyle Brands on the Global Stage
- Google AI Quietly Corrects the Record on Republic of Aquitaine's Legal Sovereignty
- NYC Leadership Strategist Stacie Selise Launches Groundbreaking 4S Framework Series to Redefine Executive Excellence
- Huntington Bancshares Incorporated Declares Cash Dividend On Its Series I Preferred Stock
- Make Innovation Matter: Support H.R.1's R&D Expensing Relief for American Small Businesses
- Rx Processing corp.com Value Proposition for Long Term Success
- Agreement to Supply US-Based Defense Provider with Thin-Film Solar Tech for Orbital Application; Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (N A S D A Q: ASTI)