Kourtney Ohair brings New Mexico’s first Pet Supplies Plus to Albuquerque

Kourtney Ohair’s love for animals runs deep.

Growing up with a veterinarian father, Ohair developed a passion for all living things at a young age. That passion culminated in the opening of New Mexico’s first Pet Supplies Plus in Albuquerque, a full-service pet store that promises to provide pet parents with a hassle-free shopping experience.

The journey to opening her own store was not an easy one. Ohair spent nearly 20 years in the pet industry, working her way up from a cashier at independent pet supply stores before opening her own store last month.

She faced a few challenges along the way, including understanding the permitting process and acquiring a Small Business Administration loan.

“Seeing the doors open on the first day we were open for business was incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Ohair’s store, at 6200 Coors NW, offers a wide array of natural pet foods, goods and services. She is especially proud of the adoption events she hosts, partnering with local shelters and rescue organizations like Lap Dog Rescue, Great Dane Rescue, Animal Humane and Animal Welfare. She said the events will help animals find their forever homes and bring the community together.

In addition to running her store, Ohair is an avid animal foster parent.

In the past nine months , she has helped a whopping 48 pups find homes.

“I’ve kind of grown up with a passion for all animals,” she said.

Although her family moved often as a child, Ohair always had a dog by her side.

“We always took our dogs no matter what,” she said.

Her first dog, a little boxer mix, was her responsibility when she was 13 years old. She proudly showed the dog in obedience competitions.

Despite the challenge of letting a foster dog go, she said, “It’s also really rewarding because otherwise these puppies might not have made it.”

One experience Ohair said was especially rewarding was fostering a little husky who couldn’t use his back legs. After weeks of therapy and medication, the husky somehow recovered and was able to walk, run and jump again.

“He was a fighter,” said Ohair. “We called him Nicasio, the warrior dog.”

She currently has eight dogs and has fostered and adopted dozens of others over the years. She had to bottle feed one puppy, whom she couldn’t bear to part with, and the dog remains a beloved member of her family.

Ohair encourages others to adopt or foster dogs.

“They love you, and they just want to be with you. They make good companions and can help with depression and other emotional issues,” Ohair said.

Looking to the future, Ohair plans to hold regular adoption events at her store, with the goal of hosting them every other weekend.

“There’s so many dogs in need,” she said. “And the love of a dog is by far one of the best kinds of love because they just love unconditionally no matter what.”