The Urban Zoo — Local services in Hamilton

EDIT: Since the business has responded, I'm editing my review. I'm aware they were untamed, which was certainly fine as I have no issue with taming and being patient.. but a baby bird is easier to tame than an adult that has been locked in a cage and never held. My main issue is that I'm being told by 2 avian vets, as well as family (who work with birds for a living) that there is no way these birds are under 9 months old. The cage I used has had no bird in it for 4 years, and was still cleaned with vinegar before use. All their toys, bowls and perches were new. They came to a house with no other birds, which you know. Yes, I only purchased the birds and their mineral block there as I planned on buying the rest online or through big als. I was becoming more nervous as I was being given advice I didn't agree with (very strictly told not to transition to pellets, told non-stick is fine so no need to buy new pans, told the birds need multiple supplements) but didn't have the chops to say so, so I simply didn't buy the stuff there. We have been reassured that a properly formulated pellet diet will eliminate the need for these supplements, and they're recommended to birds on seed only diets (because picky birds will ignore their favourite seeds).

Bought 2 "baby" budgies that are apparently actually much older than estimated. Both also came home with mites. It's fine because I adore them, but I'm not happy about being repeatedly told they're 10 weeks old, and then finding out they're actually closer a year old. (No baby bars, adult coloring on both ceres, very untame). Was not allowed to handle them prior to purchase and now it's evident why - they are so timid.

It's disappointing because of course its going to be harder to bond with two birds who have been unhandled for god knows how long, they're terrified of people. The cage they were in is barely bigger than a 15 gallon tank and there were 5 of them in there. I was told by the employee and manager that they don't give out breeder information, just that it's a "trusted local breeder". That should have been a red flag for me unfortunately. So either - the breeder is lying to the store, or the store is openly deceiving customers.

I come here occasionally these days because I need snake food and Big Als is out sometimes, but I've shopped here on and off for 13 years, since their previous location. I adopted my kitten from them as a preteen. My family worked with Chris at one point and I'm just over-all left feeling very sad and disappointed. This is a business I've always enjoyed and I hate seeing the...

Poor customer service, and even worse treatment of their animals.

I came in here to buy some Degu's they had for sale. The person I spoke to on the phone while ordering them was lovely. But the poor experience started as soon as I stepped into the store. There was a young girl that came to assist me because she "knew a lot about the animals I was purchasing". They spent the entire time trying to upsell me items as opposed to just asking what supplies I already had, and ensuring I knew the proper care (which I had). They told me 6 times I needed to buy the current food they were eating to make the transition to proper food easier. They HAD Degu food there... but they were currently feeding them guinea pig food. Which anyone who knows about Degu's knows that isn't proper. On top of that... upon inspection of their food bowl... they had a MIX of guinea pig foods. So they were super concerned about my new animals not handling the food switch, while In the meantime they fed them whatever they already had open of the wrong food.

I could barely focus on the excitement of picking up my new animals... because I was appalled at the condition of the rest of the animals. The bird cages are WAY too small and it is clear they are unstimulated. The reptile cages were incredibly generic and not species specific. Temp/Humidity was out of whack for almost every enclosure. And the rodents were all kept in way too small of enclosures.

This store needs to be either shut down, or downsize on animals, and have someone educated come in to set them straight on their care.

Give your head a shake... these are living animals not just products to peddle.

And heads up... the Degu's took to the new food instantly...

I have been going to the zoo for a while now, and as a regular customer i can say one thing. If anything happens to the animal within the first two weeks of purchase, you get your money back or you can exchange for another animal. People who down rate because of how they cared for an animal or what happened after it went home with them, really need to think of what they did wrong from going from the store to their place of residence.

The staff are very knowledgeable of what they sell, and if they have no clue they look it up for you to make sure they give the best answers possible.

For the person with the parakeet, you probably never mentioned any of the conditions from you or in the home. and you probably never mentioned whether or not you took it back for a full refund like the staff would of done. Fish can be tricky creatures also, it all depends on how you take care of the animal from the store to your home, while in your home and so forth. Never place the blame fully on a store because you might of done something incorrect.

I have had my Chinese water dragon from the Urban Zoo since Easter, and with the staff handling, feeding, cleaning and whatnot, it has turned out to be an awesome family member and tame enough for my seven year old sons to pick up.

Unlike most stores looking just for a sale, Chris and his team tell you whether or not you might be able to handle the pet, or the product. It is up to you to listen and do the research for the animals, products, etc. before purchase...