Last year, I moved into my first flat alone in Withington. Solo. No flatmates. I was a bit lonely,…read morenaturally, with the boyf living in a different city and all my mates living in Manchester city centre. I decided that the only thing for it was to get a cat and thus cement myself in my friends' collective consciousness as their gin-soaked mad aunt. The first place I went was the Yew Tree vet surgery, as I knew they'd have a list of rescue centres, and they did. I made plans to visit one or two, but then by chance found Alan (nee 'Taz') going free to a good home, from a good home. Instantly, I loved him. Instantly, he loved getting under my feet. It was truly special. Then I noticed that Alan wasn't eating much and seemed pretty sluggish. Obviously I did what any normal cat owner would do. I cried, I panicked, I lambasted myself for being a rubbish cat parent. I went to the vets. The service we got at Yew Tree was fantastic. I burst in with my cat carrier and lay prostrate at the receptionist's feet "I am awful!" I wailed "my cat is ILL!" James the vet was lovely and calmed Alan down instantly, with some sort of vet magic, did a thorough once over and pinpointed the problem instantly. 20 minutes later, with a prescription, all of Alan's vaccines etc, a charity catnip toy and the advice "Do not feed your cat Go-Cat, it is MacDonalds for cats!!!" ringing in my ears, I was off home, happy again, and not crying. I know that it doesn't seem much; cat ill, vet see cat, cat get better, but as pet owners know, it is so important to know that there's a vet you can trust. The Yew Tree vet surgery is a great place to go. As well as saving your fluffy friend's life, they sell a great range of healthy vet-approved pet foods, and animal toys, a lot of which are charity affiliated. Even now that we've moved into the city centre, we still make the journey into Withington when Alan needs a check up, because we know we can trust them to be thorough and professional, and nice to the cat.

It's always nervewracking taking a baby animal to the vet. What if it embarrasses me, you're…read morethinking. What if there's something wrong with it? What if I've been a really bad owner and not known it? All these things were running through my head when young three month old Phoebe was popped in her pet carrier and taken to Withington's Yew Tree vet today. First of all, I love dogs and I love cats. But good lord, this is where dogs have the advantage. Most travel so well, and they're usually keen to meet new people so the strange man with the big needle doesn't seem in the least bit threatening. Cats, well, they're the misanthrope of the animal world. They adore a few select people but it takes a while to make friends with them. Now, Phoebe likes her cat carrier, for sure, which is a huge positive for a kitten... but she doesn't like being contained and she does NOT like engine noise. So here we were, taking what is normally rather a nervous, skittish and anxious kitten to an unfamiliar place in a now more heightened state of nervousness, skittishness and anxiety. Great. Just what on earth was going to happen on that table. I needn't have worried. Not only do you get a warm, lovely, friendly welcome at the reception desk, you get James. He's amazing. He's seen it all - nervous cats, cats who are phobic of everything from bins to bags to binbags to doors to shoes... like mine, angry cats, evil cats... he has one of his own. Our kitten was very healthy, he checked her over 100% and asked lots of questions about her behaviour and diet. We got tons of great advice about cat food and what little Phoebe would be needing in terms of shots and whatnot over the coming weeks. You can't put a price on a good vet, and now that there's a feline in our lives we're even happier we're moving closer to this establishment. Yay to the Yew Tree vets!

I haven't yet purchased any pets/animals from Fine Feathers, but it seems like a reasonable enough…read moreplace. The animals have large enough cages to run around in, and seem to have a good quality of life. All of the animals that I have seen, seem to be healthy and happy within there home, and friendly too - which shows that when you buy your pet it will be used to being handled. The people who run the place are really friendly too, and are more than happy to show you the animals. :) The prices I have yet to find out, as all I know are Guinea Pigs, but they are reasonably cheap, for how healthy etc they are. So far, I like what I have seen, although I shall post another review when/if I buy my animals. :) *Four stars, only due to the fact that I have not yet brought any pets so I don't quite know 100% yet, but if all goes well, my next review will be five stars*

I've been going to Oldham's Pets for quite a while now, it's a family run shop selling everything…read moreyou need for domesticated pets as well as having a number of live species to take away on the day. With birds, gerbils and some more exotic specialities, an impulse purchase may not be on the cards but it is a good place to get kids excited about animals. I've been coming here for years to get my cats collars and tags done (£1.30 each Dec 2014) and basically it's much much cheaper than buying from one of the well know high street chains. Cat and dog food by the bucket and loads of treats for all the pets in your life - check it out!

This Pets at Home has recently been done up. Its a great new layout. There is more varieties of…read morefish, along with loads of tanks and accessories to buy. There are a great selection of dog, cat, rabbit etc foods and accessories. There are a great selection of Christmas things for all your pets. You will love all the rabbit, they have new pens behind glass so you can see them better. The accessibility is great for disabled and there is plenty of space to get round. The staff are great, they are very polite, helpful and will help you with any project. You can spend a fortune in here, its great.

Pets at home is one of the largest pet stores in the area…read more They stock items for all different kinds of animals and have a reasonably large tropical fish section which is good as many smaller tropical fish shops seem to be closing recently. I don't have any other pets apart from fish so can't really comment on the staff members knowledge in other areas but most of them seem to have a reasonably good idea what they are talking about regarding aquariums. I went to Pets at home when I first started my aquarium and they game me some good general advice on stock levels, water testing etc and all of the fish I have purchased from there have been healthy.

Everything you could possibly need under one roof for your fur legged friends - or should that be…read morefiends? :) I love going to Pets at Home because it is one of the very few shops where you are actually allowed to take your dog in with you! They stock a very good range of products and the staff are helpful too. As well as the usual food and treats they stock flea treatments, first aid products, collars, leads, dog coats and much much more! Pet paradise!

The one shop in Warrington where I can take my dog…read more The staff are often not too sure on the products the are selling. I asked about a Halti for my Staffy and was told that it is not suitable for his breed and was told by another member of staff on the way out that I should get him a Halti to stop him pulling. Some stuff is cheaper in tesco but I can't take my dog in tesco.

Never had an issue taking my Pixie here, she absolutely loves all the staff and they always…read morerecognise her. They are amazing with her and although excited to see us when we fetch her, i can see she's had a good time and been well cared for. They have a facebook and put up some lovely photos which i can see from wherever i am. Great staff thank you for all you do.

I have put my dog in these kenneis for 10 years and is now an old boy i have never had a complaint…read moreabout it but last time i went to get him he was iying on a wet floor i always take his bedding when i saw there was no bedding i was told it had been washed they could not find it at first and it was found in another kennel i was upset that my poor dog was lying in the wet i will not be putting in again foe the few extra pounds i will put him in the dog hotel

My dog has just been in cloverdell kennels, he was nervous but sandra and her team, made him very…read morecomfortable, and gave him cuddles, and were brilliant with him, we couldn't have asked for more, would recommend cloverdell kennels to anyone, he came out lovely & clean & smelled beauitful. Thank you so much. Mrs.benson

very good pet shop, in central alsager which sells almost everything you could need for your pets,…read moreand possibly more. The owner is brilliant because he'll help you with advice on pretty much any pet related subject. He obvioulsy loves animals, and cares for every individual that passes through his shop. Have never seen a dead fish in the fish tanks, or an unhappy looking hamster. Some of the items seem a little expensive until you compare them to other pet shops and realise they arent really. However other things, such as the rawhide chews for dogs are cheaper than i've seen anywhere else so my dog is always happy when he see's me coming home with a bag from pampered pets!

the main pet shop in Alsager…read more Always has a large selection of dog beds and bird tables outside the shop, which must take an age to put in and out each day! The owner is very helpful, and more than happy to try and order in anything if he doesnt already stock it, which in fairness isnt very much. If buying a dog bed he is very helpful in allowing you to go in the stock room and choose the pattern you want as obviously he cant be putting all of them out on show. He has a very strong passion for his animals, and for a small pet shop the fish section is excellent.