Duck, lamb and salmon are just a few of the flavors that line Healthy Pet’s food shelves. Co-owner Trevor MacKellar said the product variety comes from a desire to give pets the best, allergen-free foods the store can find.

“It’s stuff we can stand behind and that we would give to our own pets,” he said.

MacKellar had several years of experience working in an independent pet store in Michigan. In 2012, MacKellar said, he and co-owner Chris Jabbori wanted to escape the cold, and the recession was still having devastating effects in Michigan.

“We noticed that even in a down economy, the pet stores were doing fine,” he said. “People might start cutting costs, but they don’t stop caring for their pets.”

MacKellar and Jabbori moved to Texas and opened the first Healthy Pet store in June 2012 on West William Cannon Drive in Austin, and the duo opened a second location in Cedar Park three years later. Though the stores are similar, MacKellar said the Cedar Park store has some upgrades, such as to the dog wash center—although both stores offer do-it-yourself dog washes, the Cedar Park location has two that are enclosed in their own rooms, allowing for distraction-free washing.

MacKellar and Jabbori rotate between the two stores, so one of them is almost always at each location. MacKellar is often accompanied by his French bulldog, Biggie, after whom the Healthy Pet blog is named.

MacKellar said they help customers find the right products for their pets. They also try to source and stock any supplies or foods the community needs.

MacKellar said being a part of the community is the main focus—Healthy Pets sponsors local schools, youth sports teams and community events, and the store also hosts adoption events on the weekends. The website also showcases local veterinarians, dog trainers, dog day cares and pet sitters.

“We want to promote more than Healthy Pet,” he said. “We want to promote the community.”

Healthy Pet 14028 N. US 183, Ste. D-155, Austin 512-215-2368 www.healthypetaustin.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.