Excelsior Shop Serves as Refuge For Kittens

Editor's note: Letter to the editor regarding this story.

“We all love animals here,” said Gary Cocking, owner of in Excelsior.

Noah’s Ark Fish and Pet Supply has been a part of the community for many years, though not always with the same name. Cocking became the owner twelve years ago on Leap Day.

He described his staff as knowledgeable about everything sold in the store, as well as about pet nutrition for dogs, cats, small animals, and birds. There are a variety of animals available for purchase in the store. Small animals, such as hamsters, rabbits, and chinchillas, are very popular, he said.

Visitors to the pet shop will also find freshwater tropical fish, love birds, gouldian finches and other small birds, and kittens.

“We sell a lot of kittens,” Cocking said.

He receives the kittens from . Before arrival to the store, they receive a complete health exam at the animal hospital and their first set of shots. If no one has purchased the cat when the time comes for the second set of shots, Cocking and his staff make sure those shots are completed.

“We always keep our kittens until they’re sold,” he said.

Cocking emphasized the friendliness of the kittens, explaining that they receive an abundance of hands-on attention from shop staff. The current kitten enjoys watching the fish in the tanks from a pet bed on the store counter.

Cocking maintains a business environment that caters to families and kids—that includes selling friendly pets and the supplies needed for first-time pet owners. He also offers boarding for small animals when their owners go on vacation.

Cocking said that people from all over the Twin Cities area have heard about his store, which has even appeared in a Subaru commercial (see video above). The producers of the commercial liked the storefront and asked Cocking if they could film at his store.

Manager Deb Winrow called the filming hysterical. A portion of the commercial involved dogs driving to the store.

“You couldn’t see the people. You could just see the dogs,” Winrow said about the car scenes. “It was a blast!”

Cocking did not have as much to say about the commercial. “We’re about the animals,” he said, “taking care of the animals, and finding them a home.”

To meet Cocking outside of Excelsior, catch him at in on Mar. 11 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Noah's Ark Fish and Pet Supply will be one of the featured businesses at the restaurant review.