Today we’d like to introduce you to Thea Gomez.
Hi Thea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For Pet’s Sake was founded in 2006 by Cheri Thomas, a beloved member of the Smithville, MO community and a dear friend. Cheri’s mission was simple but powerful, to offer high-quality pet food and supplies while creating a welcoming place for local pet lovers. Despite facing cancer five times over 20 years, she remained passionate about animals and her store until her passing in 2020.
In 2020, I purchased For Pet’s Sake to carry on the legacy of its beloved founder, Cheri. What began as a heartfelt decision quickly grew into a mission, to continue offering exceptional grooming and pet care services with compassion, integrity, and community spirit. With a background in accounting and nearly 20 years of experience in selling real estate, I brought a strong business foundation to the table. But it was my deep love for animals, and the unwavering support of my husband and our daughter, Jada, that made the leap into pet care feel like the most natural next step.
I felt called to continue what Cheri started, this place means so much to so many people and pets. It’s not just a business, it’s a part of the community.
Since taking over, we’ve maintained the high standards that clients have come to expect while expanding community outreach and strengthening local partnerships.
Today, For Pet’s Sake is proud to serve the Northland community just north of Kansas City (3 miles north of the 169 exit off I-435). Our store offers a full retail selection of pet supplies for dogs, cats, and small animals, including quality pet food, accessories, supplements, and more.
We also operate a professional grooming salon, offering one-on-one pet grooming services six days a week, along with walk-in nail trims. We believe in gentle, individualized care for each pet that comes through our doors.
This business is truly a family effort. Jada helps me run the store and shares my deep love for animals. She works on Saturdays and brings along our dog, Wednesday, who has become something of a store mascot, greeting every customer with a tail wag and a friendly hello. We also share our home with three dogs, three rescued cats, and a chinchilla!
Our team also includes a full-time Office Manager, Joan who has been with For Pet’s Sake since the very beginning in 2006 and two full time groomers. With deep roots in the community and a shared passion for pets, we’re committed to providing compassionate, knowledgeable service to every pet and pet parent who walks through our doors.
Whether you’re shopping for healthy pet food, booking a grooming appointment, or just stopping by to say hello to Wednesday, we can’t wait to welcome you to For Pet’s Sake.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Taking over the store in 2020 was not the best/easiest time to become a business owner. We were still in the middle of the Covid-19 Pandemic and there were many challenges that we experienced. We have had to adapt to changes nearly daily as mask ordinances and ever evolving health department directives changed. Some of our customers switched to online shopping and we experienced a sales slump as many others decided that regular pet grooming services were no longer affordable in an uncertain economy. Prices of our products increased as supply chain issues worsened and inventory became harder to replenish.
But amid the struggle, there were silver linings. Many families had newly adopted “pandemic companion animals” to help them adjust to working from home and to keep their kids occupied with stay at home orders still in place. We gained new customers that preferred to shop in a smaller store than the overcrowded big box stores that they used to frequent. These new relationships and loyal customers reminded us why were are here!
Today, we’re proud to say we’ve recovered from those early slumps and continue to grow, especially in our award-winning grooming salon. We’re still facing challenges, like finding reliable Midwest-based vendors as the supply chain shifts and some companies close their doors. And while online retailers remain our biggest competitors, we’re focused on what they can’t offer:
Personalized customer service
Trusted pet care advice
High-quality, locally made products
Competitive pricing, often lower than online retailers
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about For Pet’s Sake?
At For Pet’s Sake, we’re more than just a pet supply store, we’re a local, family owned pet care destination. We’ve won multiple “Best Pet Store” and “Best Pet Grooming” awards from The Pitch KC, Kansas City Magazine, Next Door and Courier Tribune. What keeps For Pet’s Sake thriving isn’t just the awards or the retail offerings, it’s the philosophy: that pets deserve to look, feel, and live their best lives, and that owners deserve transparency, compassionate service, and fair value. We are passionate about what we do and we treat your pets like family. Whether you’re shopping for premium pet foods, toys, or locally made products from Kansas and Missouri, or visiting our award winning grooming salon, you’ll experience the personal care and attention only a small business can provide.
We believe in giving back to the community that supports us. When the local dog park needed support, we proudly donated a park bench in honor of our founder. We’re involved in local events, fundraisers, collaborate with nearby makers, and keep our prices competitive because taking great care of your pets shouldn’t break the bank.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One of the things I love most about Kansas City is that while it’s a big, diverse city with so much to offer, it still feels like a close knit community. Each neighborhood has its own personality, and there’s always something new to explore whether it’s local food, art, parks, or pet-friendly spots.
Being born in Kansas City means this will always be home for me. I’ve lived in other states, and even on another continent, but KC keeps calling me back. Growing up here shaped me into who I am today. My childhood summers were filled with swimming at Swope Park Pool, trips to CoolCrest, afternoons at the KC Zoo, horseback riding at Benjamin Ranch, and learning to ride my bike in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot. These memories are part of my foundation, and they remind me why staying connected to this community means so much.
We’re proud to be part of a city that supports small businesses like ours, and where people still believe in shopping local and building relationships. Kansas City is also lucky to have some of the best professional sports teams in the country and hands down, the most loyal fans around. The energy here during a Chiefs or Royals game is unbeatable!
Midwest weather keeps us on our toes (and we do dream about being a little closer to a beach sometimes), but there’s truly no place like KC when it comes to heart, community, and hometown pride.
Pricing:
- Nail Trim: $15.00
- Nail Grind: $17.00
- Dog Grooming: $60 and up
- Cat Grooming: $70 and up
- Pricing is based on breed, coat condition and weight
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.4petssake.net
- Instagram: 4_petssake
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4PetsSake
