Steve’s Pets

I’ve brought my baby, 8yr old Shih Tzu, here several times. Every time I’ve taken her I’ve been happy with her trim. She has a lot of hair, so cutting her hair is not an easy task. Plus she’s old and grumpy!
I usually take her on Saturday mornings. They open at 10, I believe, but they start letting the dogs in for grooming at 930. They don’t open the front doors at that time, you have to go through the back door. They have a back parking lot too. Make sure you call ahead a couple days in advance to get your pet in for grooming, they get booked pretty fast on Saturdays.
As far as the quickness of their grooming services? It has varied! There have been times where she’s ready in less than two hours, but then there have been times where it’s taken four hours. I really don’t mind because I keep my schedule clear on the days I take her in for grooming. Another plus is that they charge about half of what I use to pay at Pet Smart!
I’ve never been to the actual pet shop in the front, so this review is only for their grooming services. I’ll have to check out the shop next time I pick up my baby.

I brought my dog in for grooming. What a mistake! I was met by a large surly guy who looked as if he didn’t really give a s##t about my dog. They disappeared into a room where there is no visibility through the window. My dog came back looking terrible, unlike any grooming experience I’ve ever witnessed. Stay away from this place at all cost!!!

I have to agree with the other reviewers. We just moved down the street — my husband and I feel strongly about supporting local businesses over corporate giants, and we looked to find an independently owned pet supply store. We have been there six or seven times over the past few months — every single time, we have received absolutely terrible customer service. I have seen three different employees, and every time I’ve gone in, I am never greeted, and I am generally treated like an annoyance to be tolerated at best. In fact, I have twice walked in with a question, only to have the employee look at me, look away, and walk to the back of the shop to do something without a word. I feel like I am imposing on them by trying to give them my money. I hate to say it, but the petfood express on south Lake has an exceptionally friendly and helpful team. I do like the brands that Steve carries, but I think I might switch to Amazon or pet food express instead.

Needed to get food and supplies for my chinchilla and hamster and wouldn’t have time to go to my regular store near my home, so I found Steve’s, which is fairly close to my office. Their products are quite a bit more expensive than I’m used to paying. And then, when I went to pay, the gal at the register didn’t say hello, how are you, or anything until after I paid and she asked if I wanted a bag. No thank you, come again… nothing. I don’t know about you, but I like to shop at places that appreciate my business and thank me for coming in and dropping $ 50 on small animal food and supplies. The gal looked and acted like I was interrupting her nap. If I were «Steve,» I would hire someone with some customer service skills and who grooms themselves a little better. The gal looked like she just rolled out of bed and came to work in her pajamas. I won’t shop here again.

I love to support local businesses but I think I’m done with this place. There was 1 guy a long time ago that was friendly and helpful but now they act like you’re bothering them in their little world and they act like the store is their house and we are bothering them. I walk in, say hello to the anorexic girl, no response, there’s animal feces in the middle of the floor, no response, 5min later I start to ask about a product then she finally picks up the poop, ignoring my question. Then I start a convo bout my dog so she could help me with something, then she ignores me again to talk to another coworker that decided their convo was more important. Steve’s pet shop should hire animal lovers instead of self lovers. It’s called customer service. I’ll just go to pet smart where they hold the employees to a certain standard. To compete with big business, you should have better customer appreciation, instead of these bad attitude children running a store w/​o supervision.

One word describes this place TERRIBLE!!! Took my two shitzu’s in for a mid-​week grooming appointment at 9:30 AM. They didn’t finish up until 4:30 in the evening! Both dogs’ paws were bloodied and the groomer never mentioned a word about it. In pure disbelief, I called them right up as soon as I got home and saw the blood on the car seat and floor. What the hell!!? She claimed the dog’s nail was long and he moved while cutting it. Excuse me, but is this your excuse for two bloodied dog paws!!! Seriously!!! Give me a break! I was so pissed I went down there to complain in person and
all I got was «bring the dog back so I can put some powder on it?» My reply, Hell no! I don’t trust you and don’t want you near my dogs again. If you can’t cut a dogs nail right, then you don’t need to be in the dog grooming business… PERIOD! No apology or taking ownership for her wrong doing. Told the guy who was working the counter up front and his reply, «I’m not the owner, so I can’t really do anything» WHAT?! Ok, I am DONE with the place and will never do business with Steve’s again.

This is a great store, they also have a Non-​Anesthetic Teeth cleaning clinic once a month and they do an awesome job!

Would love to leave better review. The young guy who is there most afternoons and evenings is awesome, helpful, kind, and an all ’round good dude. BUT, the owner (might have been a bad day) gets one star from me. I had to return an item my wife erroneously purchased and i have never seen a store owner act so passive-​aggressively, rude and condescending. I tried to shop there as much as i could, since they’re down the hill from me, but after my experience, they are more of a last resort. With all the competition and how difficult it is for small businesses, one of two things is occurring: 1 — good for her, she’s doing so well, she doesn’t need my money or business or 2 — she’s not very good at customer service and needs much improvement.

I love Steve’s Pet shop in Altadena. Carrie Meyers recommended a new dry food for my dog, Taste of the Wild and he loves it. Thanks Carrie. We also use the grooming service. Angie clips, him exactly the way I like plus she also does «a little» extra. We are fortunate to have such a nice Pet Shop in the Altadena Community. All the things we need for dog, cats and fish ! Oh… And snakes and lizards too !

Great place! Friendly and helpful staff. I usually go with my daughter and she always like to spend time looking at the rats, chickens, rabbits, etc. the staff never rushes us out or have made us feel uncomfortable.

I have made many purchases here over the years, brought my dogs in for grooming, etc., always wanting to support a local business, but have never been wowed by the experience. I really hate driving 5 miles to buy a bag of dog food, so thought I would give them one more chance recently, I walked into the store, and the two employees were busy trashing a third employee who wasn’t there, talking about how he doesn’t work as hard as they do. No acknowledgement that I had entered the store (I was the only customer). I went up to the counter with my dog food, and the girl behind the counter rang me up without once saying hello or making eye contact. It was as if I weren’t there! She even continued trashing that other employee behind his back. It is a mystery to me how this place stays in business. I will not be back.

I’ve had such positive experiences here, I just had to post. Each time I’ve been in, the staff is helpful and welcoming and took the time to make suggestions. There’s a lovely hometown feel here. For a good all-​around pet store, Steve’s does the job.

I used to bring my dog here regularly for grooming and/​or quick bath. The quality of the grooming has gone down in the past year or so while the prices have remained a bit high.
What is particularly annoying is paying for a quick bath and dry, but getting a damp dog back. I had to insist on our dog being full dry before I left. The staff seemed annoyed to comply with the request, even though I was paying for that service.

I’ve had a good experience at Steve’s. Ofcourse my dogs are short hair so just get wash/​dry, but they do an excellent job. Dogs come home smelling so good and their fur is so soft. I don’t know if she’s the head groomer but Angie is wonderful!

A nice simple place with all the basics for a wide variety of pets. The guy that helped me was friendly and helpful. There is a talking parrot near the front door, that’s a blast. And a friendly cat that loves attention. This is definitely my new pet store. So long big chains!
I read some of the other reviews on here and they’re just a shame, especially the person looking for «ambiance» in a pet store. Go to a restaurant if that’s what you want. This place is a humble, mom-​and-​pop, local store in Altadena. Clean, well lit, with stocked shelves and plenty of space. Plus, friendly staff! What else do you need in a pet store? Mood lighting?

This place is HORRIBLE ! I was very upset of how poorly they treated me so I called 3 days ahead to make an appointment for Monday to get my dogs groomed and we go today to find out it was closed yes CLOSED. Apparently they decided they weren’t going to open Monday’s anymore wtf okay so I call and a lady answered and starts yelling at me that she apologizes for confusing the time it was her fault she answered me so rudely, and told me she didn’t know what else she could do she should have told me this isn’t the first time I’ve had problems the last time I took my dog to get him groomed came back bloody and I was very upset they cut him up ! And they should honestly fire this rude later I really am disappointed stupid place

Long story short:
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON THIS HORRIBLE EXCUSE OF A PET STORE!!! SERIOUSLY, DO NOT GO HERE!!!
Long story longer:
My girlfriend and I recently moved here and any business that saves us from driving into Pasadena or LA is a business we try to support. Our first visit to Steve’s Pets was not pleasant — a miserable ambiance, expensive products, unfriendly and unknowledgeable staff that seemed pissed to even ring us up. But we returned a couple times because we wanted to support the community and we thought that at least the service would improve. However, no one has EVER greeted us hello or asked if we need help with anything, yet they always seem to have multiple employees not doing much.
I just went into Steve’s Pets today to buy two new chicken pullets to add to our flock and will never return. I will drive out of my way to the bird man in Highland Park for future chicken/​feed needs and to Blue Collar in Echo Park for dog supplies as those businesses have always been helpful and friendly.
Today, the teenage girl working at the counter helped me get the pullets (I of course, had to ask for help) and told me they were all the same breed when I asked and said they looked a bit different. Back at the counter to pay, I asked when they were hatched and the girl helping didn’t know so she asked an older woman who was doing some accounting at the counter near the entrance (she of course, never looked up or said hello to me or the other customer in the store) and the woman snapped «look at the calendar». The girl couldn’t figure it out so the woman hastily went over to the calendar and asked which pullets I got, to which I responded, «there are multiple kinds? I asked if they were different, I would like the Wyandottes». The poor high school employee didn’t have any idea about anything obviously so this woman (possibly an owner) decided to help me by grabbing my paper bag with two baby chicks and rushing to the pullet pen and crazily opening it, at which point she hit me with the heavy, sharp metal lid. It was an accident and didn’t hurt, but she actually screamed when she did it and crazily yelled «SORRY I’M JUST TRYING TO GET SOME CHANGE WE’RE OUT OF CHANGE» and I said «it’s fine jesus christ, relax» as she was way way too worked up and frantic, not to mention yelling pretty loud as she dumped the chicks out of the bag back into the pen and grabbed two more, thrusting the bag back at me. She continued to yell about how she just needs to get change or something as I was paying with a credit card.
It was a bizarre and unnecessary experience and ultimately the reason we’ll never return to this store or recommend anyone to it. Steve’s Pets needs to teach it’s employees about customer service and basic human interaction skills, or maybe the owner (s) need to learn these things first. They should also hire some actual employees that are knowledgeable about their products and pet needs as no one there ever seems to know ANYTHING.

This is limited only to Grooming
I made an online appointment for 10 am Saturday morning. Their system allows you to choose a particular groomer or no preference. I chose no preference. The system assigned me «Angie» which is just fine. The appt is not automatically approved leaving you with the impression that they have to double check before confirming your appointment. Again fine. A while later they sent a confirming email with 10 am approved. They then sent a second email on friday before re confirming. Great! Then we get a call from a human being that asks us, on friday to move to 10:30. Not my preferred time. (small kids, lots of weekend activities b-​day parties etc). I agree to change appointment.
I get there at 10:25 There is one person with her dog in line ahead of me at the window. Patiently wait. Person in front of me getting frustrated waiting. There are three groomers working on dogs. They seem so focused on their current task that none comes to window to assist. The woman ahead of me is getting upset She says she just called them and was told to come «right away.» We are both ignored to the point that she goes, buys her own shampoo and tells me she will have to leave and wash her dog at home. I didn’t ask how long she waited and just assume that because she DIDNT have an appointment they could not fit her in.
At 10:33 one of the men washing dogs comes to ask what service i was there for. I tell him I have an APPOINTMENT for a wash. He tells me ok, other worker will take my dog.
At 10:36 I poke my head in and say excuse me, but is someone going to take my dog? Not one of the workers turns around. To be fair, they have some dogs sitting in kennels with blowers going so could be they didn’t hear me. So i ring the bell on counter with one polite tap. Nothing. Wait a couple of seconds Two taps on bell. The groomer who is trimming a dogs coat turns as if bothered. I smile, politely explain that I HAD and appointment at 10 am confirmed. That at their request agreed to change to 10:30 and now its 10:35 and want to know if they can take my dog. She points to the worker previously pointed out to me that was to have taken my dog and says that’s the person who needs to «take care of» it. She didn’t even bother to call out to the other worker much less intervene and explain how I had been put out and assist. Unless, HE was named «Angie» it doesn’t stand to reason that he was the ONLY person responsible for washing my dog.
After having waited 15 minutes (5 before and 10 after my «appointment») I did not get a smile, or any type of customer service. Now I suppose if you work grooming dogs on saturday morning you may not be thrilled about your job but if you have any self respect and dignity you would treat your customers with some level of professionalism.
I give them one star b/​c thats the lowest you can give. No stars would be more accurate. As I will not be using their service again.

I just left and will not be back. I’ve used the groomers at this location probably 6 times over the last 2 years. I usually bath my dog at home, but when pressed for time, I’ve used them because they are fast and close to where I live. I’ve never been «wowed» by their service. No fussing over the animals, no welcoming smiles, but since they were proficient enough and the price was right, I was satisfied.
I’m pressed for time this week and only need my dog to be washed (flea dipped) and glands cleaned. The same as other visits. I called yesterday and was told to drop him off around noon. I left work, picked up the dog and rushed over to drop him off. The young lady fills out the intake form and proceeds to tell me I have to stay while they groom my dog. Huh?!?
I tell her I’ve never had to stay previously. I asked why I would need to stay? She couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. She just kept saying, «you need to stay». I advised her I couldn’t stay and proceeded to leave with my dog.
Important to note, there were no other owners hanging around for there dogs.
My preference is to support local privately owned businesses. Unfortunately this business isn’t dialed in to the needs of their customer. Price is key, but service is the deal breaker.
I’ll take my business elsewhere.

Great service all friendly and welcoming, I take me parrots and dogs, never had any issues .! The best pet store in Altadena
Outstanding A++++