21/09/2026
It is no secret that we are family at Pet Fresh - literally and metaphorically.
That is why it is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wayne โWangerโ Wagner.
Wayne (who is also Krisโ dad) has been delivering our products across WA alongside his brother Kym for the better part of the last decade, a job he absolutely loved. Delivering to your pets, getting to pat them and sneaking them a treat was something Wanger not only enjoyed doing, but took enormous pride in.
Wanger was a great brother, father, father-in-law, Pop and friend to all of us here at Pet Fresh. He was deceptively intelligent and had a sense of humour unlike anyone else. He was particular and never short of giving his opinion, but it was usually delivered with a cheeky wink and a nudge.
Every roadwork delay, mislabelled address, hard to access driveway, improperly stacked biscuit pallet or other minor inconvenience could send Wanger into one of his classic rants, leaving the rest of the team laughing for the remainder of the day and retelling the story for weeks afterwards.
Wanger also had the innate ability to never be wrong - a trait we all loved about him.
If he delivered a box to the wrong address, he would explain how YOU could improve the notes on the run sheet next time. If he left an item behind, he would let you know exactly where you could better place it for him in future. If he was speeding down a street, he would have absolutely no hesitation in explaining why the speed limit was stupid and needed changing.
If Wayne was having a trying day, the rest of us were usually having one full of laughter and stories we would repeat indefinitely.
Wayneโs love of getting out on the road didnโt stop with his delivery runs.
In recent years, Wanger bought himself an e-bike that he would ride to work from his home in Cloverdale. He loved getting out on his โhogโ and cruising into work each day in his signature style. Wayne loved the feeling of the wind in his hair (or lack thereof) as he cruised down the road, and nobody could tell him he didnโt look incredibly cool while doing it.
Wayne was a loving father to his children and the best Pop you could ask for.
Over the past couple of years, Wanger battled cancer with incredible grace and a fierce determination to overcome it. Even between treatments, and on days when he wasnโt feeling his best, Wayne was still getting behind the wheel and heading out on delivery runs whenever he could.
Unfortunately, his decline in recent months was rapid. But right up until the end, Wanger was still Wanger; cracking jokes, sharing his opinions and keeping everyone around him laughing. His illness never took away the personality, humour or stubborn determination that made him who he was.
He was incredibly supportive of Krisโ business aspirations and was a major driving force behind the creation and growth of Pet Fresh. His influence will continue to be felt indefinitely throughout every part of our business. His impression is indelible and the memories he created are irreplaceable.
We donโt really know what a version of Pet Fresh without Wanger looks like.
He has been there every step of the way. At the opening of every new store. On countless delivery runs. His name marked on the side of delivery boxes. His stories, opinions, jokes and presence have become part of the fabric of Pet Fresh itself.
We thank you for your grace and understanding over the coming weeks as our Pet Fresh family adjusts to a new normal. Our entire team is feeling the shockwaves of Wayneโs passing, with members of the Wagner family stepping back for a short period while they spend time together and get things sorted.
Rest in peace Wayne.
AKA Wanger.
AKA Pop.
AKA Dad.
We love you, and we will miss you in ways we canโt yet put into words.
You might not be here physically, but your presence is so woven into every facet of this business that it will be impossible not to think of you each and every day.
