Gary’s Pet Jungle

Gary’s Pet Jungle
2857 S. Howell Ave.
Owner: Gary Johnson
(414) 744-3338

1. What advantages do you offer your customers over chain pet stores?

We try to educate them on the animal to help them be able to be more successful in taking care of them. I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years, both retail and wholesale, so can therefore help people more with their questions.

2. What advice do you give people when they are looking for a pet?

How old is the person the pet is for? Then, what do you actually want? Some animals take more time and care, so fish or reptiles are easier for someone with more time restrictions.

3. What are the economic indicators that things are trending up or down in terms of what people buy or don’t buy at a pet store?

Normally people tend to spend more on pets in a poor economy because they don’t have the money for vacations and going out, so they are more apt to set up a fish tank or something else they can do at home.

4. Why did you decide to open a pet store?

My former boss at another store told me it wasn’t working out after 12 years of working for her, and fired me. Another employee of the store had previously suggested to me that I open a store in her storefront on Howell Avenue, so I did.

I like more different things myself, so I will sometimes order things just to see what it looks like. We will occasionally have things like freshwater lionfish, African butterflies, ropefish, and Goliath bird-eater tarantulas.

6. With so many types of animals, how do you keep your shop sanitary?

We spend a lot of the day cleaning and feeding. Bleach is used in cleaning all tanks, cages, and toys.

7. How long is an animal typically in your shop before it’s sold?

This is hard to say. Some have been sold within an hour of being here and some have been here a year or more.

8. Can customers return an animal to you if they find they can’t maintain it?

That is why we try to educate people before they take it home, so that that decision is made before taking the animal home. It is stressful for an animal, just like for a person, going to a new home, so we try not to practice this.

9. What are your favorite animals to
keep as pets?

I’ve had everything from ducks and chickens to horses, goats, fish, and snakes. I like animals, in general. They are good companions. I don’t think I could pick a favorite.

10. What is the most challenging aspect
of your business?

Remaining competitive with internet business.