Where To Buy Exotic Pets
photo credit: jurvetson
Exotic pets are, by their very definition, unusual animals and so it is to be expected that many pet shops don’t stock them. Furthermore while some pet stores may be able to order in a limited range of exotic pets, many either do not have the inclination or the knowledge to do this for their customers.
When it comes to the question of where to buy exotic pets then you have two main choices. These are to go to a specialist exotic pet shop which focuses it’s energy on animals such as snakes, lizards and parrots, or to go to a specialist breeder and buy directly from them.
Exotic Pet Shops
There are exotic pet shops dotted all around the country which vary from tiny shops offering a severely limited range up to giant stores which have hundreds of cages of exotic animals for sale.
Whilst most exotic pet shops will have the “standard” exotic pets – such as leopard geckos, bearded dragons and corn snakes – if you’re looking for anything in particular rather than simply browsing it is generally a good idea ot ring ahead (or check their website) to see if they actually have what you are looking for.
Exotic petshops don’t just vary in terms of their range but also in terms of quality. I have visited exotic pet stores that frankly appalled me and deserve to be closed down. One example is a pet store I visited in the south of England which had tortoises for sale yet all they had to eat was a bowl of dry, dead iceburg lettuce rather than a veritable market-stall of fresh, varied fruit and vegetables.
On the other end of the scale some exotic pet shops have an enviable reputation, treat their animals with great care, offer as much as advice as you want (or more if they don’t think you’re up to it!) and have good links with a variety of suppliers making getting hold of a specific species much easier.
Good places to find exotic pet stores in your local area are to look in the Yellow Pages or do a search online such as the phrase “exotic pet shop” together with your county or state. Local pet shops may also be able to point you towards local exotic pet stores, as may local pet-related charities. Lastly, don’t be afraid to get in touch with other exotic pet enthusiasts online or in person to ask for advice.
Specialist Exotic Breeders
Many hobbyists in the world of exotic pets like the challenge of trying to breed their animals. Typically an exotic pet which breeds is a healthy one and so a pet keeper who manages to achieve this likely has animals that are fit and healthy.
In addition, a hobbyist has far lower overheads so their animals are often cheaper than in a pet shop and they often have far more knowledge of the species they deal with than employees in an exotic pet store who have to deal with a far greater variety of animals.
Some exotic pets simply are only available from breeders because they are so unusual and a further benefit is of course that the animals you purchase are almost guaranteed to be captive bred.
Indeed the only real downsides to finding breeders of exotic pets are that they can be difficult to find and of course you will likely have less recourse if anything goes wrong with your pet after purchase.
Online searches and adverts in reptile magazines (both commercial magazines and those published by exotic pet charities) are good places to start your hunt for exotic pet breeders who will often have a good reputation and many keepers will happily “refer” you to another breeder if they can’t help.
I can tell you that I have bought both from private breeders and from exotic pet shops numerous times and for me I prefer to deal with hobbyists on the whole. The greater knowledge, the wider variety of specimens, the increased chance of them being captive bred, supporting small hobbyists in our trade and the cheaper prices, for me, make buying from a breeder the ideal solution.
Lastly, be aware that there are a number of “get-togethers” each year for exotic pet breeders. From insect shows to tarantula shows, through reptile fairs to exotic mammal meetings. These are typically advertised online or through the newsletter of exotic pet charities and clubs so keeping an eye out for these represent an excellent opportunity to network, see loads of exotic pets under one roof and potentially come away with a few bargains!
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Hi there my name's Richard Adams and I'd like to welcome you to Keeping Exotic Pets - a site dedicated to the hobby of keeping exotic pets of all forms. 
