Zookeeper Exotics — Local services in Austin

The animals always look dirty, It sad to see. Not only that, but when I went to buy a UVB linear for my Bearded dragon she told me I was wrong for buying a bar because a "bulb was better"!?? When I went and told her that its not true? she gave me a tone. Im sorry, but you working at a reptile store doesn’t mean you’re correct. Hun, ive never heard of anyone recommending a bulb is better… just because you work at a reptile store doesn’t mean youre right! do humble yourself, do some researcher before telling a guest they are wrong.. the look of the store shows me you have no clue. I don’t recommend coming here for advice. Please do your research before these people give you wrong information. LOL SHE TOLD ME A CURLY BULB WAS BETTER… wouldnt be surprised if she uses carpet or calcium sand…

EDIT: YOUR AGE AND “EXPERIENCE" doesn’t make you better or more knowledge. REPTILES STANDARDS HAVE CHANGED. In fact, the lady I spoke to looked very young and had the additude of a highschooler. (YOU DEFINITELY WROTE THIS) Your staff is rude and it shows off your replies, its stupid to assume and WILD to think, that a person is dumber because of their age? I do my research. AND OBVIOUSLY, youre alwaye supposed to change your bulb. I HAVE A 75 , A COIL ISNT GONNA COVER THE TANK, A COIL IS DANGEROUS. watch 2024 guides on reptiles before you come and call me stupid in your own way. Youre outdated.

Also calling out someone for their writing and grammar is also childish which makes me think you are yourself Its also discriminating and ableist. I have a disability. This is just rude, which AGAIN… your argument is pointing out my "flaws" but not stating an actual facts. It makes me wonder what you think of people who come from other countries, back grounds and people with more serious disabilities. Please, go do some costumer service training. YOURE UNPROFESSIONAL.

Response: If youre sooo welcoming to people of all kinds then why state my grammar and spelling? why say im less intelligent!? Youre very manipulating. Its funny how you come attack me personally instead of a true argument. You guys are pathetic. No wonder you have no response for your dead animals. Yall are gross.

Youre funny, i never once even mentioned petco? my knowledge doesn’t come from there. I like many, dont agree with petcos animals care.

GENUINE question? Why even carry a product you don’t agree with?? Why even waste the money on buying it if youre gonna bash someone for buying it?? You as a small business have a choice to not?? Also, if i was you…id take off my work job before I call it in for giving out personal information on...

I asked for some help at this store, and I was told no one can help me because only one person (Mike?) could and he wasn’t there that day...I was dumbfounded, as it shouldn’t have been a difficult question. It sounds like this wasn’t the norm experience-wise, but it unfortunately happened to me when I was starting from scratch building a terrarium, and needed to purchase all the supplies for it.

So at the very end of October, I drove all the way up to Zookeeper (about half an hour) because I was getting a crested gecko. Well, I asked for help with the plants because none of them had pricing, and also asked what would be best for a crested’s enclosure. The young woman at the register told me that the guy who'd be able to help with that level of knowledge (to pick plants for a crested gecko setup) isn't there...I said “okay, is he here later? I don’t live anywhere near here” And she said no. She told me which days he would be there, except that doesn’t help when I have a 30 min drive there and am standing in front of you. I also unfortunately really had to go to the bathroom and must’ve missed the sign that they don’t have a public one, so my bad. But I mentioned I wanted to look more but really had to go, and she said they didn't have a bathroom. She hesitantly suggested the tavern at the other end of the building. She didn’t even seem sure of that, and I don’t like using facilities when I’m not supporting the business. Then before giving up, I asked how much the cork bark was, and she said she just “guesses per piece”. She literally said guesses. Alright, well that’s not helpful. So, I left. I can’t believe this girl’s lack of caring. She didn’t even attempt to ask one of the several other employees about plants or get me any help at all.

Driving 30 min to be told no one can help me (and that’s with some pretty basic knowledge about a very common pet), she can’t even tell me prices, and didn’t offer to come look at the items I was asking about or get me help, is unacceptable. I gave up. I drove the short distance to Aquatek and not only bought the terrarium and driftwood I needed, which ended up totaling $200 in supplies (because who knew, but they sell reptile supplies and terrariums) but I also received (good) advice about crested geckos and plant suggestions.

I really wish I’d had a different experience, because I’d like to give my business to a locally owned shop. But this is hands down one of, if not the worst, retail experience I’ve ever had. I’ve worked in retail for years including as management, and this was just (again) unacceptable. I’m greatly...

Recently purchased a ball python from this store, and upon getting him home found out he had pneumonia, and had not fed in quite some time, which will require us to pay a lot in vet bills, and he still may or may not survive. To be brief, exercise caution when buying from this store.

There are plenty of good reviews for this store, but they seem fairly old and it seems conditions for the animals have deteriorated over the past few years. The animals are taken care of, but the store seems to be fairly disorganized and not very attentive towards their animals. The snake we purchased was in the wrong enclosure, they could not tell us his gender or give us the last time he had shed or eaten, which are all fairly important things to know about a new snake. If you are a new owner looking for a snake, pay extra attention to the snake's mouth. Because it is so cold, they can get quite sick. Look out for excess mucus and mouth breathing. Snakes should not have a visible amount of mucus buildup in their mouth, and if there are any mucus bubbles, the snake is sick. Snakes also breath through their noses, so if you notice a snake opening it's mouth frequently, or hear them puffing or sniffing, they are having trouble breathing and require medical attention.

I believe in our case, we were just unlucky, and not all of their snakes are neglected like ours was. I'm sure you can find perfectly healthy and well cared for animals from this shop, but be careful and don't make an uneducated purchase. If you are new to owning reptiles, I would find another store.

Edit: The staff was friendly, prices reasonable, and their other animals (birds, rabbits, etc) seemed to be well cared for, so I'm keeping 3 stars. Hopefully you have better luck...