Paw Boutique launched eight years ago in Pasadena because the Mutts & Moms pet rescue needed a place to show animals to potential adopters. Besides having an adoption location, "We wanted the right products for our rescue," says Vanessa Chekroun, co-owner/co-rescuer with Marina Baktis. That means organic and natural pet food, healthy treats, holistic supplements and chemical-free grooming products and pet supplies. A year ago Paw Boutique moved into a new location in the same shopping complex on South Raymond Avenue; it's about four times as big as the previous store. The boutique carries hard-to-find brands for dogs and cats, including Acana, Instinct, California Natural, Taste of the Wild and Orijen, many of them grain-free and high-protein. (Note: The store specializes in dogs and cats, so you won't find anything here for your goldfish, canary or guinea pig.) You'll also discover toys and treats you won't see at your local Petco or PetSmart, such as Ice Pups grain-free frozen goodies for dogs and sweet-potato-and-pecan-flavored Fruitables. Chekroun and Baktis can advise about which products would be best for your pet and are always ready with friendly suggestions about any pet issue. Plus, on any given day (they are open seven days a week), there are always two to five mutts snoozing behind the counter, and you're welcome to bring your pooch in to sniff around on a leash. Extra bonus: Jones Coffee Roasters is right down the street, in case you need to refresh yourself with a latte after lugging that 40-pound bag of dog food to your car. 537 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena; (626) 396-1136, pawboutique.com.

—Samantha Bonar