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MVPets is an independent pet and pet supply store located in Portage, Michigan specializing in nutritional food, supplies and aquatic pets. We offer great service and products to help you find the right products for you and your pet. Stop by our store in Portage, Michigan to check us out! Steve Vernon has always been a pet lover. In the early 1990s, he became very interested in his aquatic hobby. He began with a couple of tanks in his home office, expanding into into his basement, where the tank count reached over 100 by the end of the decade.
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MVPets has a large assortment of both dry and canned pet foods. We specialize in finding the perfect healthy food for you and your best friend. Does your pet itch a lot? Or lick its paws often? Shedding issues? Often a good quality food can make a big difference! We only carry the highest quality foods, and our friendly staff can help you find the one you need today!
Our staff is very knowledgable about both freshwater and saltwater aquatic pets. We take time to learn about your fish tank and help you choose the best additions. We also help problem solve any fish tank issues including disease and other issues. Bring in a small sample of your fish tank water today and we will test it for free and answer any of your questions!
Reviews (18)
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Ally C.
Jun 23, 2022
Little store with very helpful staff. They really care about you animals and your budget. I have been 3 times within a month, for both my freshwater tanks and kitten. Will be going back again for my pet needs.
Steven Judd
May 20, 2022
We come here often. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Had 1 issue with a product we purchased, that was not at all their fault, and they made it right. We buy most of our fish here and will continue to. Thank you all for the service you provide. We will shop here for life. Great selection and I feel the animals are well cared for also.
Jessica Martin
Mar 11, 2022
Very busy and crowded on a Saturday. Definitely time for them to upgrade to a larger building. I went with my sister as she wanted to add some fish to her tank, but I had to wait in the main area because there was no room for two people to pass by each other in the fish room, I was just taking up space. They seem very nice and attentive, just need more space.
Aj Zink
Feb 17, 2022
Came in to get information on a possible reef tank set up, Ashton helped me and explained everything I could ever need to know about it. Extremely knowledgeable and professional. When I do decide to do a reef tank I will be going here for sure!
J. D.
Feb 08, 2022
Great store! Very helpful people and very informative. We bought a pufferfish and had a great experience.
Nick Wagoner
Jan 19, 2022
They're a decent store with pretty helpful staff, stores kinda pricey compared to other places but they still offer a bit more selection when it comes to saltwater stuff.
Cassandra K.
Aug 01, 2021
I love love love MV Pets for all my fish needs. The staff are (at least usually) both very friendly and knowledgeable. Additionally, MV Pets is one of the only pet stores nearby that actually takes good care of their fish. Whenever I buy from them I know that my fish have been quarantined and medicated, held in the back room for several weeks before they're deemed healthy to sell.

Other aquarium decor such as driftwood and rocks are very reasonably priced. They're the only store I buy both from because everywhere else wants you to pay up the wazoo for a piece of wood. Overall, I always have a great experience here and I can tell the employees are passionate about their jobs!
Beth C.
Apr 15, 2021
We gotten several things for our dogs here in years past and been happy with the price and service - they are especially fond of the travel tent we purchased here on clearance sale many years ago, which has held up really well. We recently treated ourselves to a small aquaponics setup from Back to the Roots, so we were in the market for a betta fish for the set up.

A friend of mine had mentioned that this store had much better bettas than the big box shops, but we had a $3 coupon toward the fish from Petco so I went there first. The fish at Petco were twice to three times more expensive than MVPets and were much smaller and radically less vibrant than the ones here. Their selection was also much smaller. I immediately walked out the door at Petco and zoomed over to and MVPets.

I was able to purchase my fish, rocks for the bottom of the tank, and a large piece of rock/fake plant for my fish to hide in (which he loves). MVPets has quite a few large aquariums full of fish in the main room, and then they also have a secondary room that is floor to ceiling small tanks. The selection of coral, anemone, and fish is incredible.

I named my betta sushi, which was what my friend's daughter named her first fish when she was about 2 years old. She was pretty young and couldn't annunciate super well at the time, so it came out shoo-she, and I was "aunt Befff". Love that kid! And so far I'm really loving my fish, too PS: If you buy a betta, make sure you talk to the staff about how to keep your water at the appropriate temperature.

They definitely like it hot, and we keep our house pretty cold, so I had to also purchase an inexpensive, small tank heater. They staff seems quite knowledgeable and eager to help.
Caleb Thompson
Apr 30, 2020
I went there to purchase feeders for my algae problem, and found a wonderful plant for my aquarium. Excellent service, and even better advice for aquarium care. Thank you guys!
Carly H.
Feb 18, 2019
We will not be going back to MV Pets. Recently bought 4 fish (Thursday evening) and were told about the 48 hour policy regarding the fish dying. Completely understand this policy however within 48 hours (Saturday night) our first fish died (our 50 gallon tank was well established and water has been tested twice in last month without any problems). Knowing that we would be unable to get back to the store as we live out of town, we put fish in freezer (we were told to do this when we purchased the fish) and called store when they opened next day to let them know.

After being put on hold on and off for about 30 minutes we were told there was nothing that could be done unless we came in that day. Now a second fish has died and again nothing will be done about it. Disappointing as small businesses usually have much better customer service and are able to make case by case exceptions, especially seeing that we live out of town AND called immediately to let staff aware of situation. In the future we will continue giving our business to VIPets in Holland and Grand Rapids.
Meg Morris
Oct 26, 2018
I like this place for fish and snails. I bought a mystery snail a while back and since then wish I bought him some friends so off i went to get more. I understand snails make more snails over night Haha that's okay, more little tank cleaners for my betta. At first my betta was a tad stressed with the first snail, though he never picked on the snail, and it's been about 2 months now since I had it and they been getting a long fine now.

I have a 5.2 gal tank which 1 snail can't keep up with the house cleaning so now I have 4. The staff are really nice and helpful. I trust their experience with fish better than petsmart or Petco. They make sure the fish are healthy before they sell them which makes me feel better that I will have a healthy animal when I get home. I've bought fish in the past at other pet stores and they die the next day or a week later, however I have better luck with pet store bettas, I haven't bought a betta from here yet. From my experience with fish, all their fish look bright and alert, colorful and lively. If you're looking for fish (freshwater or salt) this is the place.
Lonisha C.
Aug 24, 2018
Awesome and attentive costumer service every time I visit. The staff is very knowledgeable in dog health & also directed me to reasonably priced services for my dog. The free samples are a bonus!
Amanda C.
Apr 07, 2018
Customer service at MVPets is what keeps us coming back! That and their large selection of fish. My husband has a 60 gallon fish tank and we are always going in to browse the fish selection. Every time we go in the employees greet us with a smile on their faces, they also greet my infant daughter who we bring in because she likes watching the big tropical fish in their tanks. The staff is also great about special ordering something if you ask them. Overall a great local business to support!
Rib W.
Jan 13, 2018
This place is AWESOME. I spoke to guy named Jim if he can help me with my 4 years old pet fish Charlie. He took Charlie and tried his best to help me if he can save Charlie's life or do his best he can to save his life. Very kind and helpful man.
Al C.
Nov 21, 2017
I love love love this place! Great people that are very helpful and know what they are talking about. Great selection of corals. If you hit it right (which is quite often) their $15 bin is a better deal than anything you will find on line. Shawn and Nina rock! The pre-mixed salt water is spot on and my tanks love it!
Mary L.
Oct 27, 2017
Friendly and very helpful staff they know their stuff I have bought multiple fish there and they're always healthy I've never had an issue with any of them. I'll always go here rather then any other pet store for my fish. My dog loves their pigs ears they are huge and cheap compared to places like pet smart or pet supplies plus that over charge for little ears.
Carrie M.
Jun 15, 2017
Locally owned and operated. Best selection of premium pet foods. Amazing selection of freshwater and saltwater fish, plants, and aquarium equipment. Rewards and great sales. I've been shopping here since they opened the store many years ago. A+
Mary C.
May 03, 2017
This is a great locally owned pet store. The customer service is spectacular, they really know their stuff, especially about dog/cat food and fish tanks. They also support and encourage local adoption groups and often hold adoption events in the store.