Exotic A.R.C. (Amphibian Reptile Center) — Local services in Lemay

I can not recommend this place. I would recommend tropical world pets of Watson rd instead. My first visit left a bad impression. This place is bad and they know it. THEY HAVE A SIGN ON THE DOOR THAT SAYS NO PICTURES. They are fully aware that the conditions they keep their animals in are abusive and instead of improving it they decided that it will go away if they don't let pictures get out. The animals looked a decent weight when I went but most had some visible problems like stuck shed, lethargy, and burns. Pet-co and pet-smart take better care of their reptiles.

The worst problem is the limited space in the store. which has led to them cramming as many animals as possible into small enclosures. For example I saw at least 10 lizards in a 20 gal tank all fighting for one basking spot. The animals look stressed and none are housed with the proper amount of space. Corn snakes and ball pythons are forced in plastic containers usually meant for travel as their enclosure and stacked as high as possible on a shelf. If they are lucky to get a cage it is undersized and will most likely be with another snake. Even the mammals are forced into cramped spaces. There was a group of about 5 bunnies that were forced in a wire cage about 4ft by 2ft. The only happy living thing there were the flies.

On top of how the animals are treated going in as a human was uncomfortable. Just walking in the door you are treated to hostile signs. the entire lower half of the store door is telling you move your car because they have limited street parking and not to steal the animals because they assume you are a criminal. However, the worst sign is the sign telling you that YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PICTURES WITHOUT PERMISSION. If they were taking proper care of their animals they would not have a problem with people showing their animal care. Everything was covered in flies. Staff was friendly but it does not fix the huge problems...

This pet shop is a place of misery for the reptiles and other animals who are unlucky enough to suffer here. I've popped in every few years to see if things have improved, but they're far worse. As someone who has owned reptiles my whole life, and knows a lot about them, I know that this place abuses and neglects animals to make a profit and it's highly disturbing.

-Adult reptiles should be housed separately they're territorial. I went in yesterday to witness reptiles biting, trying to kill each other over the limited space they're forced to share. -All the cages are filthy and too small. I'd be surprised if they have the proper UVA/UVB lights, temperatures, and diets for the various types of reptiles kept. -I also saw an alligator in a cage as long as its body. This is entirely too small, and selling alligators to the general public is irresponsible. -Baby reptiles are crammed in cages together, some of them dead. At that age they should be full of energy, not lying dead in an enclosure with live babies. I can only imagine all the animal corpses in their trash. -Some baby reptiles are kept in Tupperware, tiny plastic cases used for reptile shows where the animals will be housed temporarily away from needed light/heat/food/water. In this shop they just sit on a shelf like any non-living item stocked.

These are only a few things obvious to anyone who strolls through this sad place. Where are the rules and regulations? These animals deserve so much better, please help!!

They should be shut down. If that's not the obvious outcome this store should at least have to follow the same regulations as every PetCo & PetSmart when it comes to live animals. This is horrendous...

So, I like this place, but do your own research first. Bought 2 young leopard geckos and was told they could be in the same cage while babies. We get them in the cage on day one, check them before we leave to go shopping and dinner, and all is ok, both are visible in the cage. We were literally gone about 3 hours come back and the smaller one is GONE.. cage not open, no one else was in the house when we left. So, I read up on them… they can eat each other! So, my sons literally enjoyed one of them for all of 30 minutes and then we return and thats it. $30 down the drain. I was also told I didn’t have to buy live insects.. they would eat freeze dried. Wrong. Should’ve looked on the internet to confirm. It says they eat only live insects. As a single mom trying to get pets for my sons I am very discouraged first they are in tears because one didn’t even last half a day and then I find out I have to deal with always going to get live insects. This is not what I wanted and if I would’ve known I wouldn’t have bought. I also mentioned I wanted something that didn’t require a light/heat, and now that I am reading up they should really have it. Also read they need calcium powder, which I wasn’t told. All I can say is do your own research because they will sell you anything. Had I not read up on things and just trusted their word our 2nd one wouldve been dead in no time too. My sons love the lizard so obviously now I have to spend more money to care for it which isn’t easy for a...