The Pet Works has been a Longview, Washington institution for over 50 years, run by the same family and deeply woven into the community's fabric. This independently owned pet store covers a broad range of animals — dogs, cats, reptiles, arachnids, birds, and fish — but it's the personal touch and genuine expertise of the staff that keeps loyal customers coming back decade after decade. On the aquatics side, The Pet Works carries both freshwater and saltwater fish, with staples like neon tetras, cardinal tetras, guppies, plecos, and angelfish typically in stock.
Multiple reviewers note the fish here tend to be healthy, a meaningful distinction from big-box competitors where illness is common. The store also stocks copepods and isopods for paludarium enthusiasts, and carries Aquarium Co-Op products — a brand beloved by serious hobbyists for its quality and accessibility. When one customer rushed in during an ich outbreak, staff walked them through treatment options and helped save every fish in the tank.
That said, honest assessments from longtime customers point to a recurring gap: the aquatics section could use more variety and fuller tanks. Those hoping for clown loaches, snails, or a wider range of bottom feeders may find the selection limited compared to what The Pet Works once offered. The fish that are available, however, tend to be well-kept and disease-free.
Beyond aquatics, the store shines with what multiple reviewers call the best reptile and arachnid selection within 100 miles — plus unexpected offerings like stick bugs. The dog and cat food selection earns high marks, with quality brands at prices that compete with chain stores. Feeder insects like crickets are always in stock.
Parking is easy, the downtown location is convenient, and the atmosphere is warm without being pushy. The Pet Works trades on trust built over five decades: staff who actually listen, healthy animals, and the kind of neighborhood loyalty that no corporate chain can replicate. For Longview pet owners, it remains the first stop for supplies, advice, and the occasional surprise find.
Michael R. Guzzetta
92 reviews
Best pet store I've been too so far. Good selection my cats have enjoyed everything I've gotten so far.
Jen Vernon
8 reviews
Came in to get a new set of rat companions and was treated like I know nothing about them despite having many over my adult/child life. I have bought many from this store and they live 2.5+ years happy. I have never been grilled about where I am housing them or asked any questions about it. The two girls there wouldn't sell me them saying I needed a new habitat even when stating I would be getting them new housing. The funny part is they had the two I planned to take home in a very small cage (much smaller than the one I told them about) that wasn't very clean looking. Completely disrespectful to me and I don't plan to come back again for anything. I could have easily lied about anything yet didn't. Even after I drove an hour I was turned away for no reason.
L V
21 reviews
So friendly and helpful! I love seeing the animals available
spoon man
89 reviews
My favorite pet store. Not cold, and impersonal as the big, box stores, and prices are just as low.
puddinz 98
17 reviews
Phenomenal little pet store while having a ton a fish stuff they also have quite the large variety of other things for a bunch of other pets from like birds, lizards to cats an dogs
Michael Winter
74 reviews
Pretty good business one thing they need to do is work on their inventory of fish
Zachery Summers
6 reviews
alright selection, has copepods and isopods for paludarium enthusiasts. only downside is a mix between they don't carry doves or pigeons and the manager doesn't seem to know that doves and pigeons are a domestic bird and the original wild pigeon they were bred from is long extinct.
Eli Bernal
10 reviews
Always kind and always ready to help you with your animals/reptiles/invertebrates questions and its always nice to have a local store that has feeders.
Sean Pedersen
13 reviews
They have Help with questions I my have, and there every friendly people
Connor Crouse
41 reviews
I grew up going to The Pet Works and it is a really great small business. However, I visit regularly to look at the aquatics section and no matter the day of the week, the fish selection is just not great and the entire aquatics area leaves a lot to be desired. I understand there may not be a big market for aquaria in Longview/Kelso, but I really think that if the sale tanks actually had fish in them, and more attractive displays, it would be more worth while for TPW. Most of the sale tanks have basically no fish or few fish in them. I hate to compare a small business to a giant corporation, but Petco’s aquatics section has so many FULL tanks with abundant selection. The problem there is that a lot of those fish are unhealthy and showing signs of illness. The Pet Works has quality on their side and I usually never see any sick fish in the store, but I also don’t really see that many fish in their tanks. They always have a ton of neons/cardinals and guppies. That’s about it. If their selection and stock levels were higher, I’d be buying a lot more than I do. The staff are generally great, but there just seems to be no passion behind the aquatics section and it’s disappointing. A sign of the times? A lack of passion? A lack of direction? All of the above?
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (360) 636-0830 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Pet Works.
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1257 Commerce Ave, Longview, WA 98632, USA
February 7, 2026
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