Little Beasties pet shop in Ulverston celebrates 18 years

Owner Mandy Christopher opened the shop on March 6, 2006, when she was just 19 years old.

Little Beasties prides itself on being a pet shop with animal welfare as the main focus, not selling on impulse and trying their best to make sure that every pet goes to a loving home.

Mandy Christopher of Little Beasties, Ulverston, in 2013 (Image: Newsquest)

The team believes a pet is way more than ‘just a pet’ and lives by the motto ‘a pet is for life’. They also strongly believe that a pet should be kept in an environment where it thrives.

Alongside the shop, Mandy runs her own rescue service, taking in and caring for animals that have been abandoned or need a new home, and finding them a loving family.

The pet shop also provides a holiday service, so owners know their pet is well looked after while they’re enjoying a trip away.

Mandy said it feels like a great achievement to have made it 18 years in the business - but it hasn’t been without its struggles.

Mandy with her giant African millipede called Melville in 2015 (Image: Newsquest)

“I love the shop and the work we do but owning a small business is hard,” she said. “I’d like to encourage people to shop with small independent retailers and support them as best you can.

Little Beasties plan to continue their work of promoting high levels of pet keeping, carrying on their rescue and rehoming service and help as many animals as possible find a happily ever after.

Mandy said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for your support and custom over the years, I can't tell you how much it means.

“A very special thank you to Claire, Rose, and Tilly for being the best team ever.

“I'm incredibly proud to be celebrating 18 years of Little Beasties and hope there's many more years to come.”