Pet Supply Delivery Invoicing: A Guide for Independent Pet Distributors
The pet supply distribution industry is one of the fastest-growing segments in wholesale distribution. The US pet industry exceeded $150 billion in annual spending and continues to grow at 6 to 7 percent per year, driven by pet ownership growth and the premiumization of pet food and accessories. Independent pet supply distributors — the regional operators who service independent pet stores, boutiques, groomers, and kennels — are a significant part of that ecosystem.
Yet the distribution layer serving independent pet retailers remains largely traditional: route reps visit stores weekly or biweekly, check inventory, take orders in person, and leave paper invoices. Phone calls fill the gaps between visits. New product introductions happen through catalog mailings or rep conversations during delivery stops. It works — but it has a ceiling on how efficiently it can scale.
This guide covers the invoicing and order management workflow for independent pet supply distributors and how to add a digital layer without disrupting the relationship-driven model that keeps independent pet stores loyal.
Why Independent Pet Stores Stay With Their Local Distributor
Independent pet store owners are some of the most loyal customers in retail distribution. They choose their local distributor not because of the lowest price — large national players often have pricing advantages — but because of knowledge, relationships, and service. A distributor rep who knows that a particular store specializes in raw diet food, or that the store owner is expanding into aquatics, is providing value that a national distribution portal cannot replicate.
The risk for independent distributors is not losing accounts to price competition — it is losing them because a national player offers a more convenient ordering experience. When Animal Supply Company or Pet Food Experts' larger competitors have online ordering portals and digital account management, and the independent distributor is still taking phone orders, the convenience gap can outweigh the relationship advantage over time.
Closing the Digital Experience Gap
The good news is that closing this gap does not require building a customer portal. The Full Truck gives each pet store account a digital ordering link that lets them browse the distributor's full product catalog and place orders from their phone. From the store owner's perspective, the experience is modern and convenient — comparable to what large corporate distributors offer. From the distributor's perspective, it requires nothing more than scanning supplier invoices to build the digital catalog.
The Product Discovery Opportunity in Pet Supply
Independent pet stores are enthusiastic about natural, specialty, and premium pet products — it is their differentiation from big-box pet retailers. But they can only order products they know their distributor carries. A store that specializes in holistic pet food and knows you carry Acana, Orijen, and Stella & Chewy's may not know that you recently added a new freeze-dried treat line or a specialty supplement for senior dogs.
A browsable digital catalog changes this. When a store owner can scroll through your full product selection while they are restocking shelves or closing up for the night, they discover products they want to try that they would never have known to ask about during a delivery visit. Distributors who give accounts digital catalogs consistently report higher average order values because of this discovery effect.
PIDA: A Ready-Made Lead Network
The Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) maintains an interactive "Find a Distributor" map organized by state. Every member is a regional pet supply distributor with route drivers visiting independent pet stores. For independent pet distributors looking to connect with peers or for industry stakeholders looking to reach the distributor community, PIDA membership is a direct line to the target audience.
Managing Invoices From Premium Pet Food Brands
Independent pet distributors who carry premium brands deal with complex supplier invoices. Premium pet food brands often have extensive product lines — multiple protein sources, life stage formulas, size variants — and those product lines expand regularly. Keeping a paper-based catalog current with the latest Acana formulas, new Stella & Chewy's flavors, or new freeze-dried options from a specialty manufacturer is a constant effort. Scanner-based digital catalog management keeps your catalog current with your actual supplier invoices, not a catalog printed six months ago.
Veterinary Supply: A Higher-Value Adjacent Opportunity
Some independent pet supply distributors also serve veterinary clinics with supplies, consumables, or pet health products. The vet supply side of the business offers higher average order values and more frequent reorder cycles — clinics burn through consumables daily. If you have accounts that include both pet stores and vet clinics, the same digital ordering workflow serves both. See the invoice app for vet supply route reps for more on the veterinary distribution workflow.
Getting Started
The starting point for any pet supply distributor is scanning your existing supplier invoices. Take a photo of your most recent invoices from your premium pet food brands and specialty suppliers, and see what the digital catalog looks like for your route. Then send one or two of your independent pet store accounts the ordering link — let them browse your catalog and see how the ordering experience feels from their side.
You can also explore the full list of pet and vet supply distributors we support, or read more about the invoice app built for independent pet supply distributors. The Full Truck is $49.99 per month with a 14-day free trial and no credit card required.