The little store with a big bark.South Maui residents can find everything their pets need underneath one roof at the Kihei Pet Supply located in the Kukui Mall at 1819 S. Kihei Road.
“I was tired of driving to Kahului and not finding what I wanted,” said storeowner Deby Jo Kleinsasser. “I felt like we desperately needed a pet supply in Kihei.”
This charming, 980-square-foot shop is stocked full of animal food and accessories. The shelves are actually bursting with supplies for your dogs, cats, birds, bunnies or other pets.
Kihei’s Pet Supply’s mission is to have “fully stocked” shelves so Kihei residents won’t have to drive elsewhere.
“We’re the little store with a big inventory!” said Kleinsasser.
The store carries a full line of pet supplies: health foods, bath and maintenance supplies, flea and tick repellants, treats and toys—you name it, they have it.
Kihei Pet Supply strives to be a health food store for your pets, making sure they get the nutrition they need to remain strong and healthy longer. They offer a variety of organic and nutritious, yet delicious, chow for your best friend, including Nature’s Best Food products, which are “clinically proven to provide complete, balanced nutrition.”
“We were interested in opening up a health food store for animals, where customers can find the most natural and organic products for their loved ones,” said Kleinsasser.
Spoil your canine friends with popular meals from Evanger’s, such as Duck and Fresh Sweet Potato Dinner, or pick up a “Kitty Condo” for your high-class cats. There is also an assortment of toys and aloha gear available, as well as fancy bird accessories for the swanky, feathered friends. There’s even a rat harness and pet coats available for the more adventurous pet owner.
The delightful Kleinsasser has been an animal lover her whole life, growing up with horses, cows and all kinds of animals. She runs another business, Maui Honeys Originals, offering aloha wear and accessories, but put it on hold to pursue the Kihei Pet Supply venture.
“I needed to do something a little bit different for awhile,” she said.
Since the grand opening in February, Kleinsasser said she has kept busy and enjoyed quite a positive response from the community.
“Pet owners are excited to shop here when they realize just how much I have to offer and how reasonable my prices are compared to other stores. I want save folks time and money—our prices are the best in town,” she said.
They also offer alternatives to chemicals when it comes to flea treatment—BioCare’s Flea Trap includes no pesticides.
You won’t find any little friends to take home within the shop except some fish for food or mealworms and crickets for your Jackson chameleons. The only pet in the store, and definitely not for sale at any price, is Kleinsasser’s best buddy, Gizmo, who greets you as you walk in the door.
“He’s our mascot and guard dog,” said Kleinsasser.
Kihei Pet Supply is also useful for tourists on extended vacations and visitors who have seasonal homes in Wailea and Kihei. Pet owners are more likely now to bring their furry lil’ friends along, as the quarantine period for animals has decreased from 60 days to just a week when coming from the Mainland.
Every third Sunday of each month, the store offers pet nail cuttings for $7 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., courtesy of Lee’s Pet Grooming of Kahului.
“We’ve been very busy,” said Lee Nickerson, owner of the grooming service. “People don’t like to cut their pets’ nails, and most of them aren’t doing it correctly. We relieve them of the hassle at a low cost.”
Nickerson has groomed Kleinsasser’s pets for years and was more than happy to offer her services at the shop each month.
“It brings clients into her shop so they can see what see has to offer and also helps me advertise my services,” said Nickerson. “It’s a win-win situation.”
As a pet lover and owner herself, Nickerson loves shopping at the store because of the great prices and friendly service.
“Her prices are so reasonable,” said Nickerson. “Much cheaper than most stores you’ll have to drive out of South Maui to go to. Where some places you’ll pay $17 for the same bag of dog food, you can find at Deby’s store for $7.”
You can contact Nickerson for all your grooming needs at her Kahului store at (808) 877-4542.
Kihei Pet Supply is now open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call Deby Jo Kleinsasser, store owner and employee of the month—every month—at (808) 874-0015.