The former Petcetera store on North Road will re-open as The New Petcetera under a refinancing scheme organized by founder Don Urbani.

On Tuesday, Urbani announced the grand opening of 20 stores across Canada after he purchased the best performing retail pet superstores from the previous company, Canadian Petcetera Limited Partnership and made significant changes in response to customer demand.

The new stores features will include:

• 50 per cent new product assortments

• Better pet nutrition, with a focus on natural foods

• A 20 per cent increase in store staff with improved training, motivation and education

• Sale of domestic animals only, with reptiles and smaller animals such as ferrets now being offered.

"New Petcetera Retail Ltd is a true sign of economic recovery," states Urbani, CEO, New Petcetera Retail Ltd. "We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to return with an even stronger offering for the consumer in the pet speciality segment. With our new look, better service, an improved in-stock position and pet nutrition, I believe that the new stores will be a phenomenal success."

Urbani continues: "We continue to remain in tune with increasing public social responsibility and awareness. We have always been strong advocates of animal welfare working closely with local non-profit organizations through both our innovative P.A.W.S (Petcetera Animal Welfare Society), which promotes responsible pet ownership and works to reduce cat and dog euthanasia rates, and our support of local adoption programs."

New Petcetera Retail Ltd's headquarters are in British Columbia, where nine stores will open, with additional stores being opened in major markets across Canada. The Coquitlam store is located at 435 North Road.