Petland mourns Tony Neff, 46-year retail veteran

The pet specialty franchise industry is remembering a quiet behind-the-scenes leader who shaped Petland's distribution model over four decades.

June 17, 2026

Tony Neff was director of merchandising and private label at Petland.

Tony Neff was director of merchandising and private label at Petland.

Petland Inc.

Petland Inc. announced the death of Tony Neff, director of merchandising and private label, who died June 13, 2026. He was 64.

Neff spent 46 years with Petland, beginning his career in the company's warehouse directly after high school and rising to lead its merchandising and private label operations before retiring earlier this year.

"Tony was a catalyst in helping to build Petland's distribution model into what it is today," said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. "Known for his incredible servant's heart, Tony was always ready to step in and support any store in need. His behind-the-scenes work has touched every store location, and he did it all without fanfare, without complaint, and always with franchisees and customers in mind."

Neff received Petland's 2025 Impact Award in July 2025. At that time, Watson said, "Tony left Petland better than he found it."

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