It’s been a lifetime with animals for Jennifer Pimsaguan, who grew up with a mom who was all about adopting and who owned a pet store in Washington state.
In fact, that store, with its natural products and healthy options for pets, inspired Pimsaguan to open her own wellness-centered pet supply store in Puhi in 2010.
“We adopted a puppy from the humane society and so my mom was just sending us all of these supplies,” Pimsaguan said Thursday, in between helping customers at Natural Pet Hawaii in Puhi. “Eventually, we decided to open our own store.”
When they found the space for Natural Pet, it was an empty lot and the landlord built their warehouse space from the ground up. Over the years the space has expanded and Natural Pet Hawaii has become a staple for pets and their owners island-wide.
So much so that Pimsaguan was named 2018 Humane-itarian of the Year by the Kauai Humane Society.
She’ll be accepting the award and the honor at tonight’s Paws for Celebration KHS fundraiser at the Kauai Marriott Resort &Beach Club in Lihue.
“When Jennifer Pimsaguan opened Natural Pet Hawaii eight years ago she changed the world for pets on Kauai and changed the paradigm for pet owners,” said Diann Hartman, KHS board president.
She pointed out that Natural Pet Hawaii sprang into existence during a pre-Petco time, when Amazon Prime was just starting.
“If you wanted something special, you were pretty limited,” Hartman said. “A huge mahalo to Jennifer for seeing the need and following through, building from the ground up a successful business that has helped so many.”
In addition to selling toys, beds, leashes, treats and other pet-centric items, Pimsaguan focuses on maintaining the wellbeing of pets with suggestions about things like allergies and a line of natural products that focus on health.
“Go to Natural Pet, Jen’s amazing and knowledgeable staff is sure to be able to help. They know the common allergies and have heard of even rare ones, and they can guide you in the right direction for your pet’s optimum health,” Hartman said.
When it comes to helping out homeless cats and dogs on the island, Natural Pet puts its paws to work by sponsoring the KHS Pet of the Week feature in The Garden Island’s Sunday edition, and on KONG radio, which pushes a cat or dog into the spotlight every week.
Those animals get to spend some time at Natural Pet Hawaii as well, getting attention from customers.
“They get some Facebook fame and get a reprieve from being in the humane society,” Pimsaguan said.
While she’s honored to be accepting the Humane-itarian of the Year award today, Pimsaguan said Natural Pet Hawaii is by no means a one-woman show.
“It’s really not just me. We have a whole team and all of us work together,” Pimsaguan said. “It’s really a group effort.”
Staff and supporters at KHS acknowledge the group effort as well, pointing out the dedication of Pimsaguan’s husband Buren and their children to the business and to increasing the wellness of pets on Kauai in general.
“Natural Pet Hawaii has made for happier, healthier lives for both pets and people, and we all can’t thank you enough for all you have done for adoptees from the humane society as well as pets on island as a whole,” Hartman said. “For seeing a need, filling a niche, building a successful business with a great team, all of this with the goal of helping Kauai’s pets, we want to honor Jennifer as our Humane-itarian of the year.”
•••
Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com.
