Pride Paws

For pet owners throughout New Jersey, finding a local business that not only caters to the needs of their beloved companions but also actively contributes to the community is a true treasure. Pride Paws, located in the heart of Medford, NJ, is precisely that kind of establishment. More than just a typical pet store, Pride Paws is a unique and inspiring venture that combines a passion for pets with a powerful social mission. Founded by Pride Ventures Inc., this retail pet store provides job training and transitional employment experiences to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to gain valuable work and life skills.

Stepping into Pride Paws, New Jersey residents will immediately notice the welcoming atmosphere and the dedication of the team. Customers consistently rave about the helpful and eager-to-please employees, many of whom are participants in the program themselves. This not only creates a positive shopping experience but also allows customers to directly support a meaningful cause with every purchase. Pride Paws offers a thoughtful selection of products for dogs and cats, from wholesome treats to fun toys and stylish accessories, ensuring that you can find something special for your furry friend while contributing to a vital community initiative. It's a place where every dollar spent helps to foster independence and self-esteem for a wonderful population of individuals in our New Jersey community.

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Pride Paws is conveniently situated at 26 S Main St, Medford, NJ 08055, USA. This address places the store right in the vibrant heart of Medford, a charming and historic township in Burlington County, New Jersey. South Main Street is a central artery in Medford, making the store easily accessible for residents within the township and from surrounding communities. Whether you're coming from nearby towns like Marlton, Mount Laurel, Evesham, or Vincentown, the journey to Pride Paws is typically straightforward and pleasant.

The location within Medford's main street area often means good visibility and a pleasant walk through a historic district. For New Jersey pet owners, accessibility is key, and Pride Paws' central position allows for convenient stops during errands or dedicated shopping trips. While specific parking details aren't provided, main street locations in towns like Medford usually offer a mix of street parking and small public lots, ensuring reasonable convenience for visitors. This strong local presence helps Pride Paws serve as a true community hub, easily reachable for those who wish to support its mission and find quality products for their pets.

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Pride Paws, as a unique social enterprise, offers a combination of retail products and a vital job training program. Their services are multifaceted, benefiting both the pets of New Jersey and the individuals they empower:

• Retail Sales of Dog and Cat Treats: They offer a wide variety of dog treats, many of which are homemade and all-natural, baked by the program participants themselves. They also stock cat treats.

• Pet Toys and Accessories: Customers can find an assortment of toys for both dogs and cats, along with accessories like scarves and bandanas. Participants also assist in creating handmade items such as blankets, toys, and note cards for sale.

• Local High School Spirit Wear: Beyond pet items, they also offer local high school spirit wear, connecting with the broader community and providing another avenue for local support.

• Refrigerated Pet Food Options: While not explicitly detailed, pet stores often feature a refrigerated case for specialized or fresh pet food options, catering to diverse dietary needs.

• Job Training and Transitional Employment: This is a core mission. Pride Paws provides comprehensive job training and transitional employment experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ages 18-29). Participants learn:

  • Baking: Measuring ingredients, baking treats, rolling dough, measuring, and bagging.
  • Inventory Management: Using pricing guns, stocking shelves, and tracking inventory.
  • Customer Service: Training on using the register, greeting customers, and assisting with purchases.
  • Creativity/Crafting: Assisting in sewing bandanas, filling catnip toys, making pull toys, cards, blankets, and wreaths.
  • Cleaning & Maintenance: Organizing inventory, vacuuming, mopping, and dishwashing.

• Community Engagement and Fundraising: While not a direct service to customers, the organization frequently holds fundraising events (like Pins 4 Pride, or Phillies game outings) to support its mission, providing opportunities for community involvement.

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Pride Paws stands out significantly in the New Jersey pet retail landscape due to its unique model and strong community impact. Here are its key features and highlights:

• Social Mission and Impact: The most prominent highlight is its core mission to provide "job training and transitional employment experiences to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities." This makes every purchase a direct contribution to a worthy cause, fostering self-esteem and independence for participants. Customers "love what they do for the community and the wonderful population they employ!"

• Homemade and All-Natural Dog Treats: Participants bake the "famous dog treats" in-house, ensuring quality and natural ingredients. This direct involvement by the individuals in the program adds a personal touch and ensures freshness.

• Supportive and Friendly Employees: Reviews consistently commend the "very helpful, eager to please" employees who are often the program participants themselves. Their positive interactions with customers and even pets ("Penguin, my pup, loved your employees as well!") create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

• Diverse Product Offerings: Beyond standard pet fare, Pride Paws offers a variety of items including dog toys, scarves, and even "local high school spirit wear," showcasing a connection to the broader Medford community.

• Community Hub and Volunteer Opportunities: As a non-profit operating a retail store, Pride Paws relies on and fosters community support through donations and volunteer engagement. This builds a strong bond with local residents who want to "shop local and support this great business."

• Focus on Skill Development: The rigorous 200-hour training program covers a wide array of practical work and life skills, from customer service and inventory to baking and crafting. This prepares participants for future gainful employment.

• Inspiring Story: Founded by Pride Ventures Inc. with the goal of addressing the "next step" for individuals with developmental disabilities after high school, Pride Paws embodies a powerful narrative of hope and opportunity, resonating with a compassionate customer base.

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To visit Pride Paws, support their mission, or inquire about their products, please use the following contact details:

Address: 26 S Main St, Medford, NJ 08055, USA

Phone: (609) 257-3198

You can also learn more about their incredible story and mission by reading up on their website or speaking with their friendly staff during your visit.

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For pet owners throughout New Jersey, especially those in and around Medford, Pride Paws is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended local business that offers far more than just pet supplies. Its suitability for locals is deeply rooted in its unique dual mission: providing quality products for beloved pets while simultaneously serving as a vital job training and employment program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is not just a place to buy dog treats; it's a place where every purchase directly contributes to empowering members of our New Jersey community.

Local residents who value community engagement and social responsibility will find Pride Paws to be an ideal fit. Customers consistently express their "absolute love" for the store and "all it stands for," highlighting the "wonderful population they employ." This fosters a sense of pride and connection that transcends a typical retail transaction. When you buy a bag of dog treats or a new toy at Pride Paws, you're not just getting a product; you're investing in the growth, confidence, and future employment opportunities for young adults in your own backyard.

Furthermore, the quality of their offerings, including the popular homemade, all-natural dog biscuits baked right there by the participants, ensures that New Jersey pet parents don't have to compromise on product standards to support a good cause. The helpful, eager, and friendly staff—many of whom are participants themselves—create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes every visit a pleasant one. For those in New Jersey who believe in shopping local, supporting meaningful initiatives, and finding quality items for their pets, Pride Paws in Medford offers an unmatched combination of retail convenience and profound community impact. It's a business that truly gives back, making it a truly deserving recipient of your continued patronage.

Pride Paws

26 S Main St, Medford, NJ 08055, USA