The store first opened in 1972 under the name of Arcata Aquarium. It was a small aquarium store. The current owners, Don and Joy, were two of that store's first employees. In 1976 Don and Joy took over the business and added a few products for other animals to the shop’s inventory. As the store evolved, small animals and birds were soon added as was the name Arcata Pet.

In 1984 we were one of the first retail pet stores to stop selling and supporting the wild bird trade. We maintained our own breeding collection of Blue and Gold Macaws, Amazon Parrots, African Greys, Cockatoos and Caiques in our store. As we have become more supply oriented, our breeding stock has been sold or sent to live their lives out in retirement with our employees.