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About Us

V.I. Pets was started in Holland, Michigan in 1988 by a brother and sister named John and Nancy Van Iwaarden. Due to their hard work and dedication to their customers V.I. Pets has grown from one 2500 square foot store, to three stores with over 16,000 sq. feet! In 1989 we opened our second store in West Michigan in the Cutlerville area. In 2002 we opened our third store on Plainfield Ave. in Grand Rapids. Coming in summer of 2008 V.I. Pets will be opening our fourth store in Jenison Michigan. This will be our largest store with over 7,500 sq. feet of pets and supplies, along with some exciting displays and innovative ideas, new to the pet industry. We look forward to being a part of the Jenison community.

Nancy and John were in business together for 18 years until Nancy retired in 2006, she is currently enjoying more time with her family. Nancy lives in Holland with her husband Ed and daughter, Tiffany. John lives in Grandville with his wife Glenna and their five sons John, Glen, Austin, Kyle, Kody and they have a daughter Nicole in college.

V.I. Pets has evolved over the past 20 years to become Grand Rapids and all of West Michigan’s experts in pet care and pet supplies. Specializing in reptiles, marine fish, and exotic small animals. V.I. Pets is one of the few remaining “full-line” pet stores in West Michigan, and we will always strive to provide the best pets and supplies offered.

We’ve had many wonderful employees over the years who are educated and experienced with all the animals we offer, as well as helpful to the questions and needs of our customers. We recognize that we are in the business, but we often say that we are as much in the people business as we are in the pet business!! We want our stores to flourish and grow, and we can only do that with dedicated employees and loyal customers. We will do everything we possibly can now, and in the years to come, to make V.I. Pets an enjoyable place to work and shop.

I would like to thank all of our loyal customers and our employees for the past 20 years and the years still to come.

V.I. Pets Owner
John Van Iwaarden