Pet Shop aims to leave a legacy to new owners – Times Herald Online

A staple for local animal lovers, the Pet Shoppe on Springs Road has been a go-to destination for more than 30 years. In the midst of the financial downturn, with the onset of the pandemic, our long-time client Dale Millhollin decided to step in.

As an avid shopper and “big creep guy,” Millhollin has always had a special attachment to the place.

Millhollin has had a healthy career as an insurance agent since the age of 18. The company his father owned, Millhollin Agency Farmers Insurance, and his role in that company were a big part of his identity.

“I had only known about insurance my whole life, and I thought for sure I would continue to do that for the rest of my life,” he said.

But Millhollin noticed a gradual dissatisfaction with the work over time. This feeling was particularly strong in the company’s final years.

“In the last five years I spent there, I found every reason to get out of the office,” he said. “I didn’t want anything to do with it.”

Then the unthinkable happened.

In a spontaneous decision, his father sold the company, leaving Milhollin with a life-changing decision: What do I do next? As friends of the former shop owners and an animal lover himself, our decision was clear. Despite a drastic career change from insurance agent to running a small business, Millhollin is making the most of it.

Today, the store is home to dozens of happy creatures, from leopard geckos to budgies. Working alongside his partner Erin and daughter Annabella, Millhollin is honored to finally own his own business.

“We had a very successful office with insurance, but that was thanks to my father,” he said. “I’ve been running this place for the last 10-15 years, but it’s always been his. But with that said, I can say that this is Dale… this is me.”

Sparkling with a remarkable number of five-star reviews, Pet Shoppe continues to reinvent itself in the eyes of the community. The majority of newer reviews speak highly of the store’s new owner, describing them as “knowledgeable” and “friendly.”

“Honestly, Erin is amazing when it comes to customer service. “I’d say 90% of those good reviews are because of her,” says Milhollin. “I think people know we care about animals. We’re not just here to make money.”

As most local businesses know, things are not always smooth sailing in the last few years of ownership. His biggest challenge? “I’m interested in the City of Vallejo,” Millhollin replied. “The homelessness in Vallejo, the amount of trash, the lack of community pride… it just blows my mind.”

Although it has a very friendly customer base, it occasionally encounters problems with the city. One problem in particular is local law enforcement.

“One time I took this guy in and put a $900 bird in his pocket. I posted it on Facebook, got his name, his number, even his address,” Millhollin said. He went so far as to report it to local authorities, which surprisingly didn’t solve anything.

Millhollin says part of what he sees as a lack of pride in Vallejo is at the hands of local businesses.

“I don’t think all businesses are ready to step up and do something about it,” he said. Still, he remains hopeful. “I really think we can make the street better than it was before,” he said.

A quick tour of the store reveals that Milhollin’s love for animals is as strong as ever.

“I love interacting with them or building the wards. “It’s like having a group of Army soldiers setting up or building a fort when I was a kid,” he said. He experiences the same joy when setting up a shelter for animals.

“This is supposed to be my legacy, so this is what I’m going to do,” Millholin says.

The Pet Shoppe at 2144 Springs Rd in Vallejo will host its annual Harvest Festival on Nov. 9.

For more information, visit facebook.com/thevallejopetshop.