Business Spotlight: Murphy’s Paw
For Murphy’s Paw owner Caro Short, the local pet supply store has been part of her life since she was a teenager. After spending nine years getting to know the business, its customers, and plenty of their four-legged family members, Caro stepped into a new role in 2025 when she became Murphy’s Paw’s third owner.
Today, Murphy’s Paw continues its longstanding presence at 410 Main Street in downtown Pleasanton, offering thoughtfully selected food, treats, toys, gifts, and accessories for dogs and cats. With an emphasis on high-quality products, including many from small and North American brands, the independent store pairs its carefully curated selection with personalized service to help pet parents find the right products for their animals.
Caro’s story with Murphy’s Paw began long before business ownership was on the horizon. She started working at the store as a teenager and, over the years, learned nearly every aspect of the business while building relationships with customers and their pets.
“I didn’t start Murphy’s Paw, but it feels like I’ve grown up alongside it,” Caro shares.
As her experience grew, so did her interest in finding new ways to help the business evolve. When the opportunity came to purchase Murphy’s Paw in 2025, becoming its next owner felt like a natural progression after nearly a decade of being part of its story.
That history continues to shape how Caro approaches the business today. Familiar faces, longtime customers, and finding new ways to make Murphy’s Paw even better are among the things that motivate her most. Knowing Murphy’s Paw has become part of so many local families’ lives makes carrying the business forward especially meaningful.
Caro’s connection to Pleasanton is just as personal. Having grown up here, she now has the opportunity to own and operate a business in the same community.
“Pleasanton has always shown up for its small businesses, and I’m grateful to be part of a city where people genuinely care about shopping local,” she says.
That local support has helped Murphy’s Paw remain a familiar Main Street destination while allowing Caro to build on what customers already know and love.
For the Murphy’s Paw team, helping customers often involves much more than stocking shelves. Getting to know pets and their people allows the team to provide individualized guidance, whether someone is searching for the right food, looking for a special treat, or trying to track down a product that meets a particular need.
Those conversations are an important part of what makes Murphy’s Paw special. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the focus is on listening, sharing product knowledge, and helping each customer find what works best for their pet.
The result is a visit that feels welcoming, helpful, and fun.
Murphy’s Paw also finds ways to bring its love of animals beyond the storefront. This October, the business plans to host its second annual Pet Fair, bringing together local pet businesses, vendors, and rescues, along with special deals, giveaways, and more throughout the day.
Held alongside Pleasanton Palooza, the Pet Fair adds another pet-friendly experience to a day of activity on Main Street and gives local animal lovers an opportunity to connect with pet-focused businesses and resources from throughout the area.
As Caro looks ahead, she is focused on honoring the relationships and history that have made Murphy’s Paw a Pleasanton favorite while finding new ways for the business to grow. That includes expanding convenient online shopping options while maintaining the personal service customers have come to know in the store.
For Caro, taking ownership represents both a new chapter and the continuation of a story she has been part of since her teenage years. With familiar customers returning, new pets to meet, and a community that continues to support local businesses, Murphy’s Paw is moving forward while staying true to the personal approach that has made it special.
Stay Connected
To stay up to date on new products, events, and happenings at Murphy’s Paw, follow @murphyspawdogstore on Instagram and Murphy’s Paw Pleasanton on Facebook, or visit their website.