Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
Many pet owners love to pamper and praise their animal companions, and there are small business owners who are quick to oblige. At a recent Pet Party in San Jose, vendors with pet-themed wares and customers came together to celebrate their furry (and not so furry) friends.
Bunnies riding in tiny cars, friendly snakes draped around shoulders and dogs strolling in mini-shoes were on the scene at the June 14 event in San Pedro Square, sponsored by Petty Party and Moment San Jose. Vendors lined up to offer everything from custom stationery to gourmet pet treats.
At a booth covered in colorful pet stickers, keychains and cards, artist Nicole Weedo explained what inspired her to start her business, Munespice.
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“Being outside in nature with my family members, as well as enjoying creatures and animals, like friends’ pets and my own,” she said. Her experience “has all come together to shape my heart, for sure.”
Other vendors, like Christina Francisco, owner of Peach Pearl, attach a deep personal meaning to their creativity.
“My husband actually wrote a whole album about our dog that just passed. He was getting old, so we wrote a whole album just for our dog.”
As with any small business, the challenge for the pet vendors is finding a financially viable model. Christine Pham tries to set apart her business, TreatsbyRumi, by making fresh pet treats without artificial ingredients.
“I think people do enjoy finding something that’s healthier for your dog,” she said. “That’s always like a big thing here, because obviously we want our pets to live as long as possible.”
Nicole Parra, owner of FossilForager, fills a different niche by designing art and merchandise for less common pets, such as reptiles and birds.
“There’s not a ton of art of this fish or this reptile,” she said. “And so that’s sort of how I differentiate myself.”
Several vendors at the Pet Party said they juggle the entire workload of running an enterprise. Victoria Llama, who sells stickers and stationery goods through her business, Panty Cat, said, “I do everything, in terms of being the artist, the production person, the manager, the marketing … so having the time to draw and then manufacture and then promote everything is a lot.”
To add to the challenge, some vendors expressed concern about how the current political landscape affects them.
“We all know about the tariffs,” said Alicia Cardell, owner of Buppydogs, which offers stickers, stationery and apparel. “We’re not in a place to be able to spend on things we actually enjoy. We’re in survival mode right now.”
Erin Federigan is a member of the class of 2026 at Silver Creek High School in San Jose.
