Zoo Keeper Exotic Pets is stocked floor to ceiling with amazing animals
We love to support local businesses not only for economic reasons, or because their uniqueness is refreshing, but because locals tend to have a more personal touch. When it comes to our pets, we appreciate a personal touch more than ever.
So kick the chain stores and make the drive to Research Blvd. and Burnet, for Zoo Keeper Exotic Pets. We did – a long time ago.
As the name implies, Zoo Keeper Exotic Pets is not a dog and cat-type pet store. But considering its relatively small size, implanted in the middle of a shopping strip, this local shop always provides entertainment and insight into the world of less common pets.
We took Trogdor to meet some of his relatives
Eric and I own a three year old bearded dragon. Our Trogdor consumes an inordinate amount of crickets, and when we moved to Austin we were dismayed by cricket prices at chain stores like PetSmart. We originally arrived on Zoo Keeper’s doorstep to save money, which we did (they breed their own crickets). But we kept returning because the staff is friendly and informed, the shop stocks all the supplies we could ever need, and we love a free trip to the zoo!
Enjoying Your Trip to Zoo Keeper Exotic Pets
Get this: without fail, on every one of our trips to Zoo Keeper, we do a complete circuit of the small store. The selection of animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arachnids is constantly changing. And the pets that are regularly featured are awesome enough to see time and again!
The staff welcomes visitors who are just there to look. There’s no pressure or awkwardness; take your time and enjoy. If you go home with a baby chameleon, all the better!
Here are some of the pets you might see on a trip to Zoo Keeper:
- Baby miniature pigs
- Baby hedgehogs
- Chinchillas
- Prairie dogs
- Guinea pigs
- Rabbits (the babies are the best – so fluffy!)
- Ferrets
- Baby chameleons (these are possibly my all-time favorite)
- A silky-frizzle chicken wandering around the store
- Baby frilled lizard (yes, like the lizard in Disney’s Rescuers Down Under)
- Sophie the sloth (visit earlier in the day for a chance to see her up and about)
And I could go on.
This baby frilled lizard is keeping his frill in for now
Zoo Keeper Exotic Pets aims to use local or Texas breeders, though some animals are provided by out-of-state friends. All animals are captive born.
You can board your pet (again, no dogs or cats) at Zoo Keeper for $5/day.
Baby hedgehog – ’nuff said
This local pet store has been a part of the Austin landscape for about 15 years, and it’s one of my absolute favorite Austin businesses. Even if you have no intention of buying an exotic pet, you should visit just for fun. I wouldn’t be surprised if you change your mind about the buying part! Baby hedgehogs know how to melt the heart.
@QuasiBrit asked:
What local Austin pet stores do you love?
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10 years ago we got turtles there, they were SO amazing. AND they used to have an old sloth in the window (that was not for sale, if I recall), and I really, really, really wanted it. A lot.
Don’t know if the guy still works there, but “The Spider Man” was always who helped us. LOVE that place! 😀
@facebook-727275754:disqus so the Sloth is still there.. her name is Sophie and she’s a permanent resident of the shop. Their folks are crazy helpful, and right now this is the ONLY place that we personally go to for Trogdor’s crickets. Love this place too… You should have seen the miniature pigs they had… OMG adorable.
This is a great store. Some close friends of mine bought their hedgehog here about a year ago and named him Galileo. On another note, glad to see Trogdor lived on- spent way too much time on Homestarrunner when I was younger…
I’m going to check out this store this weekend. Thanks!
@AustinHomesforSale:disqus Trogdor Strikes Again!!! Haha, we did too! Enjoy the shop, we seriously love it! ~ E
How much is a hedge hog?
@facebook-100005012437271:disqus, good question! I don’t remember off the top of my head. I will tell you that they don’t always have hedgehogs on hand. Their animal inventory cycles in and out. But you should definitely stop by, see what they have, and ask any questions you might have. They’re super friendly and will be eager to help you.
Thanks 🙂
I will be posting to other sites as well
How old do you have to be to buy from here?