Pups ‘n’ Purrz sits right in Historic Downtown Benicia, and it’s genuinely more than just a place to grab kibble. Bill Holt took over in January 2010 and brought 30 years of professional culinary experience with him — he worked as an executive and pastry chef before pivoting to pet nutrition. That background actually matters. He hand-selects food and treats with real attention to quality, not just whatever moves the fastest.

The birthday cake situation here is legitimately fun. They make gluten-free treats and decorated Pup Cakes if you want to do something special for your dog’s big day without worrying about ingredients that’ll upset their stomach. It’s the kind of detail you notice came from someone who actually cares about what dogs are eating.

When you walk in, you’ll meet Brindle, Bill’s rescued Border Terrier mix. She’s there most days and sets the tone for how the place operates — this is clearly someone who practices what they preach about rescue and adoption. That rescue focus runs deep. Solano County Friends of Animals and the Vallejo/Benicia Humane Society bring animals in regularly for adoption events and foster awareness, so if you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, you might find them here.

Your own dog can come along when you shop. The staff will actually talk through what your dog might need instead of just pointing you toward aisle three. They know their inventory and aren’t pushing premium-priced stuff just because.

The store keeps pretty regular hours — Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. It’s walkable from the waterfront if you’re exploring that part of downtown anyway. If your dog has specific dietary needs or allergies, this is the kind of place where the owner actually wants to solve the problem rather than move on to the next customer.