With its modern look, welcoming energy and the friendliest pet-loving team, the new Hillside Pets store is everything animal families didn’t know they needed.
Driving down leafy Viljoen Street, it’s impossible to miss it – the brand-new Hillside Pets store, bright, beautiful and buzzing with excitement. Freshly opened and thoughtfully designed, it’s modern, warm and welcoming … and proudly home to something the West has never seen before. A full drive-through pet shop. Yes, really! But more on that in a moment.
Because if you’ve ever walked into Hillside Pets and been met with the friendliest smile, chances are it belonged to Elize van der Merwe – lifelong animal lover, pet-food expert, devoted rescuer and proud owner of what is now two thriving stores. And if she had to describe herself as an animal? “A Jack Russell,” she laughs. “Loyal, full of heart … and a little fierce when I need to protect my people.”
A life built around animals
For Elize, animals were never a hobby; they were her life’s calling. She grew up on a smallholding surrounded by every creature imaginable. And if there was ever a stray animal wandering the road? Elize was the one stopping to help.
After spending time in the pet food industry, she opened her first Hillside Pets store in Roodepoort in 2005 – a small shop with a big heart. Nearly twenty years later, the brand has grown into a trusted favourite for families in the area. And now, with the opening of the beautiful Viljoen Street branch in Krugersdop, Hillside Pets enters its most exciting chapter yet.
A pet store … with a drive-through!
Yes, you read that right. Whether you’re rushing between school runs, juggling shopping errands, or simply not in the mood to find parking, Hillside Pets now offers something brilliant. A drive-through service for all your pet essentials. Or a delivery service to your doorstep. Food, toys, treats, bedding, grooming products – you can receive everything without ever leaving your car or your home!
“It’s modern, it’s easy, and it just makes life simpler,” says Elize. “And when pet parents are less stressed … pets are happier too!”
The store itself is equally impressive. Spacious, stylish and filled with warmth. The moment they found the Viljoen Street location, everything fell into place. “It felt meant to be,” she says. And on November 1, a date chosen in honour of her late stepson, they opened their doors with full hearts.
Walk in (or drive through!) and you’ll immediately pick up on the magic. The friendliness. The passion. The sense that this is more than a shop – it’s a place where people genuinely care.
More than a store – a community
Hillside Pets is built on one simple philosophy … pets are family. And that belief shapes everything.
“We don’t just sell products,” Elize says. “We help people take care of their family members, the furry, feathered and sometimes scaly ones!”
Every staff member is a true animal lover. The kind of person who will kneel to greet your dog before greeting you. They’re trained, knowledgeable and honest. You won’t be upsold or pressured. Instead, you’ll get guidance grounded in years of experience and genuine passion.
The shelves are stocked with trusted brands like Montego, Jock, Supreme Pet, Trusty Lifestyle, Ideal and Lionel’s Choice, and if they don’t have what you need, Elize and her team will do everything they can to get it for you. Fair pricing is non-negotiable. “I’m not here to take advantage of people. I want to help them care for their pets properly.”
Elize’s real talk: Helping you take the best care of your pets
Over the years, she’s seen many trends come and go – from bearded dragons to skinny pigs to tiny tarantulas. Her advice?
Buy responsibly, not impulsively. “What looks cute in a TikTok video often requires real work,” she laughs.
Her golden rules for good pet care:
• Feed properly and consistently
• Puppies should stay on puppy food for at least 12 months
• Avoid gravity feeders – most pets overeat
• No human food or bones (yes, that includes the T-bone, rib bones and spicy leftovers!)
• Choose toys wisely. Strong rubber toys, cooling mats and safe chews over anything that can be swallowed in two seconds
• Healthy treats only, if it’s made for humans, it’s probably not made for them
And her favourite home remedy? Sore, irritated eyes: Gently wipe with a cooled rooibos tea bag.
Festive season tips:
• Keep pets calm: Stick to routines, give them safe spaces, and avoid loud crackers
• Travelling? Make sure they’re microchipped, hydrated, comfortable and never left in a hot car
• Festive treats: Stick to vet-approved goodies – absolutely no sweets
• Holiday hazards: Chocolate, tinsel, fairy lights and bones
Thinking of adopting? A pet is not a Christmas gift. Adoption is a lifelong promise. And if you’re clearing out cupboards, extra blankets, pillows, or bowls will mean the world to a shelter animal. (Elize proudly supports Vaalpets in Vanderbijlpark.)
Growing with the community
With two stores, an online shop, a passionate team and plans for a fish room and reptile room, Hillside Pets is growing and growing with its community.
“Hillside Pets is my happy place,” Elize says. “And I want it to feel like that for our customers too.”
Pop in, say hello, bring your fur baby and experience the warmth, knowledge and genuine love that make Hillside Pets a place you’ll come back to again and again.
A treat from Elize: Pumpkin & peanut butter dog treats
You’ll need: 2/3 cup pumpkin purée; 1/4 cup peanut butter; 2 large eggs; 2 1/2 – 3 cups whole wheat flour
To make:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and eggs on medium-high speed until well combined, about 1–2 minutes.
Gradually add 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time and knead the dough 3–4 times until it comes together and is no longer sticky.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to your preferred thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out the desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool completely.
Notes: Baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the treats. Serving size will also vary depending on the shapes and cookie cutters used.
Details: Visit them at 68 Viljoen Street (entrance in Second Street), or contact them on 067 348 1035 or shop online at hillsidepets.co.za.
