Critter Mart & More — Local services in Lake Township

I've been here a few time hoping that things might have changed and they haven't. The reptiles are kept in poor conditions from the newspaper bottoms for the chameleon and the easy to grow bacteria mats in the lizards tanks where they sit in an over crowded tank. Then moving onto the mammals the degus are kept all in the same cage (there being about 10 of them) every time I've come in there is blood everywhere from their tails that I'm assuming have been stripped of the fur from fighting each other. Then moving onto the rats hamsters and gerbils the rats are kept in tiny bins that are so full of shredded paper that they can't move comfortably in (even if they are just feeder rats it's still cruel) the hamsters and gerbils are not separated by sex leaving them to reproduce fight and even eat each other. The cats when she gets them are shoved into dog crates for medium to large dogs and she'll shove up to 8 kittens in one cage I understand that she's taking them in from bad situations but it doesn't excuse her poor treatment of them her birds are sat in small cages with multiple birds per cage causing them to stress out her rabbits and guinea pigs are put in small cages as well and at times I've see that she'll put multiple animals per cage. Her fish are often sick dead or are dying and her prices are on the ridiculous side of the scale and that's if you've calculated everything when you go to check out as she can and will overcharge you if your not paying attention. I understand that she is a small business trying to make her way but her treatment of the animals is cruel and almost worse then a big corporation type of pet store if we aren't factoring in her...

I’m very disappointed in what I have seen at crittermart :( The reptiles were inappropriately cohabed and some lacked proper lighting. Unless they are of the same species and are young, reptiles cannot be cohabed due to intense stress, habitat incompatibility, and that they are solitary animals. They also still use the out dated practice of snake drawers. Snakes cannot be kept in there because they need a heat source, light, and proper space. It is OK to keep them in a small tank very temporarily as they are there to be sold, but a rack is not a suitable option. One other thing I’d like to make note of is that ALL of the reptiles are on carpet. This can damage their toes and also harvest an intense amount of bacteria causing an unsafe environment. A coco fiber or easily cleanable material (non porous/non abrasive mat) changed every 2 weeks-ish would be suitable for most of these reptiles. I’m aware that their other animals are also in half -half conditions, aren’t always ethically sourced, and are often inappropriately bred. As they are a small business, I know critter mart has the ability to do better for these animals and make an important change to improve their living conditions as well as make a change to the sourcing/breeding of these animals. Please take this review seriously as (even if not intentional) animal neglect is...

I love going into the pet store. I can take my daughter in and have no worries about her getting sick from the animals! This is the cleanest, most friendly pet store around the area! There are volunteers that are young kids that come in and help with all the animals, which is an amazing opportunity for them to learn about work ethics as well as customer service. The owner is always there for questions and is ALWAYS willing to help find anything you may need! Ever since the owner had taken over the pet store a couple years ago, my husband and I go in all the time! It's bright and cheerful! And you can handle the animals as long as you ask! Some are rescues and she has a vet come through weekly to check out the animals! The vet is also on call for any emergencies she may have with an animal! She pays out of pocket for all of her vet bills (how many pet stores can say that?) Sometimes she doesn't even profit off of an animal! She doesn't care, as long as the animals are cared for and loved, that's all that matters to her!! She is the most caring person to own a pet store, and i am glad she is the one that owns it!! Anyone that has anything bad to say is doing it to harm her and...