Grange-over-Sands welcomes new pet shop opened by local

Pawlina’s Pet Shop at Albert Road, which opens on December 2, will cater for dogs, cats, pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and fish – and even snakes and geckos.

“I love animals,” said owner Paulina Melling, 36, who lives in the town. “I wanted to be a vet when I was a child. If I could, I would own a zoo.

“Lots of people in Grange have pets. These are mostly dogs and cats but there are also guinea pigs, rabbits, parrots, snakes and geckos. Some people even have pet rats and even if people don’t have a pet, they often like to feed the wild birds in the area.”

Paulina Melling and her new shop (Image: Andrew Thomas)

The new shop will sell a range of pet food and equipment, including collars, bowls, jackets, leads, shampoos and cat litter. “We shall sell everything your pet needs – and if it is not in the shop we’ll get it for you,” said Paulina, whose family has a friendly nine-year-old pet bulldog called Bella and two guinea pigs.

Initially she expects her main customers to be from the Grange, Lindale, Allithwaite, Cark, Cartmel, Kents Bank and Flookburgh area.

Plans include setting up a delivery service covering that patch after New Year, which will likely mean taking on a member of staff. “The Grange area has a fairly elderly population and not everyone finds it easy to get out and about to go shopping,” said Paulina.

“Eventually I want to sell items with the shop’s logo on the packaging, such as bags containing dog treats and toys and boxes of biscuits.

“I would also like to work with local pet rescue centres and do some events to raise money for them. And when I start delivering around the area hopefully it will encourage some of the older generation, who cannot get out to shop for pet food and litter, to adopt a cat for companionship from one of the centres.”

Other plans looking ahead include selling some products online and selling gifts in the shop such as mugs and thank you cards featuring pictures of animals.

“Grange is such a dog-friendly place so I would also like to set up some organised dog walks, for example along the promenade,” added Paulina.

She was full of praise for her town. “Grange is the safest and nicest place and everyone knows each other. I want the shop to be part of the community and to make sure people have a friendly and welcoming experience when they come in.”

Paulina grew up in Poland and moved to Grange in 2006. She worked at The Grange Hotel, becoming a head housekeeper, and then at the Thornleigh Christian Hotel, where she was a duty manager. During the latter period she studied part-time at Furness College and gained an Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership.

In 2019 she set up Help at Home, which involves cleaning, washing, ironing and shopping for clients and providing companionship.

She is married to Simon and they have two children.

Paulina said she wanted to thank family and friends for all their support and help with launching the pet shop.

Pawlina’s Pet Shop will open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am-4.30pm and on Saturday from 9am-1pm.