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Animal Store Our knowledgeable team is always making sure that the finest equipment, provides, and toys are on hand to serve your pet's every need. Our new arrivals of exotic animals and fish, our changing inventory, and especially our Baby Bird Nursery, all guarantee that there is always something new to see. We are consistently working on making our site better! Your suggestions are always welcome.
Services
We'll take good care of your pet while you're away, keeping them safe from the public in our separate boarding room. Your pet can be boarded in its own cage or in a store cage for a small up charge. Boarding is available 365 days a year, as the store is staffed daily, even when we are closed. We get busy around the holidays and school breaks, so call in advance to reserve space.
If you are between 11 and 17 years old, you must come in with a parent or guardian to learn about being a volunteer, sign a waiver, and get a tour of the store. If you love animals, want to play with them, and are kind and responsible, then you might be a perfect person to join the Jr. Critter Crew.
Is there a filter I can buy that eliminates the need for regular water changes? No one enjoys doing water changes, so a filter that claims to eliminate the need for water changes. Are there any pets that don't cause allergies? Allergies are no fun, especially if you really want a pet and someone in your family has an allergy to a particular kind of.
At The Animal Store, we love pets. At our pet shop, you'll find birds, reptiles, pocket pets, small mammals, and fish by the gallon. We have so many different kinds of animals - familiar and exotic - that we've come to be known as the "Who-knew Zoo." And look for the Great First Pet and the Allergy-friendly Pet icons to help guide you in finding your perfect companion.
Unfortunately, that's not what anyone wants to hear, but it makes sense when you think about it. These are just some of the factors to consider. The best first pet for you and your family is not necessarily the same as the best first pet for your neighbor or friend. But we can help. To get you started, we've created the Great First Pet badge you see here.
Reviews (28)
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Julio G.
Jun 08, 2022
These guys at the animal store are so genuine so down to earth and they truly try to help you get what you need. The owner is the best, Claudia and every one there is just awesome. Will be visiting there many more times. Finally a business where I can get all my pets needs all at once
Rocio Ocana
May 29, 2022
We visited this pet store today and were pleasantly surprised with the large selection of products and pets they have! The store was very clean, animal enclosures were well taken care of, and the staff was friendly and helpful.
Briana Sima
May 28, 2022
I called asking about corn snakes, specifically telling the owner I was looking for a pink/red albino colored and I was shopping around. He said let me check and said he had 2 corn snakes and they were colored just how I was looking. I said what's your price range he said 100-119$ I said okay I'm coming from WI but I'm in waukegan at a different pet store.

I drive another 45 mins to his shop for the price to be 149$, and he said that's for common I thought we had common. Which is a lie I specifically stated on phone what I was looking for then when he said he had that I asked about price. Offered me 10 percent discount on anything else in store if I purchased the snake to "make up for it", I'm going to drive another 2 hours to a different place and spend it in gas probably and should have just got that one but I decided not to because of the lie over the phone. Knowing I was driving a bit far for it to change once I got there.

You dont reel customers in by lieing in my opinion I'd rather give my business to an honest shop. Not one trying to real a customer in. Money isn't the issue it was the lie that shocked me and turned me away. Also said his store was more of a petting zoo on phone because of the exotic animals etc and that was a tiny little store. Disappointed
Andrew Vankula
May 11, 2022
This place is just terrible. they do have many good animal supplies but do now take care of them good at all. I saw about 10+ leopard geckos in a ten gallon tank with no food or water poop all over. There's also a bird the make loud noise the full time you're there. I also saw many other animal in bad tanks being miss kept. Buy here if you want other animals to suffer. Workers were nice though!
Jacqy Graf
Apr 23, 2022
I went in today for my first time because I did not want to go to the big box petshops. I was extremely impressed by how clean all the cages were. I was greeted by super cute ferrets that were super playful and looked very well kept and happy. The birds were singing and were playful and clean. My opinion on what animals should and should not be pets is that of my own.

I do not need to come on here and blast someones business just because I do not agree. I appreciated the knowledge for my daughters new guinea pigs and will for sure be back for more snacks and food for them. One last thing for those saying it was dirty and uncared for.all of the cages were in the process of or just had been cleaned. None of the animals were sitting in filth and surprisingly for the amount of animals it didn't even smell bad.

I just wanted to leave a review and thank you for the knowledge on how to bond and try to get our new babies adjusted to their new home (the fact that I did not even buy them there they still helped and went out of their way to talk to me about them!) Thank you!
Kevin C.
Apr 01, 2022
Very disappointed in care for animals to tiny of enclosures for the animals also poor management of fish keeping and knowledge.
Stephanie B.
Mar 24, 2022
This animal store exploits animals. They have a turtle that should be in a shelter sanctuary and they keep rabbits in boxes and cared for. This is animal abuse please do not shop here it should be shut down I feel sorry for these babies!
Sharon Vicker
Mar 22, 2022
Clean friendly environment for all of their amazing animals in this fabulous store. Wonderful selection of bunnies, birds, lizards, snakes, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, Chinchillas. Tropical fish, turtles and more. Cages, toys, bedding and a great pet food selection. The personal touch that you receive from Ken the owner and his knowledgeable staff is very much appreciated by his loyal customers including myself!
Patricia C.
Mar 18, 2022
The Animal Store stole Spur the turtle 30 years ago from the dessert and continues to exploit her for her babies. She's constantly trying to climb out on the left, then falls. She'll move to the right then falls again Over and over and over again. Only a pet store owner who "doesn't care" about their animals would exploit her "for 30 years" when she can go to a turtle sanctuary. Haven't they learned anything from COVID?

What goes around comes around. I've seen "overheated baby rabbits" sitting in the sun in an aquarium like container. They are selling them before Easter which is considered unethical by rescues and "ethical pet store owners." They sell them for $129. A "rabbit animal rescue" sells adults, veterinarian healthy, fixed, given anti-parasite mediation, does fecal tests, gives them 2 vaccination shots for $125.

There is "no way" a rescue profits off of a dumped rabbit. It's a loss but they give great advice on how to take care of your bunny. They also "sex them." They are so young at the Animal Store they can't sex them. Don't get 2 you don't know what you're getting and 4 months later you could have a set of babies. Female does have 2 wombs, they can get pregnant while they are pregnant. Shortly after the 1st set of babies, you've got another set coming out. I recommend buying nothing there.
No S.
Mar 17, 2022
I've Ben hear many Times all know what they are doing and very nice people and cool animals
Mike C.
Mar 09, 2022
I went here after literally driving all around Chicago looking for a new hermit crab friend for our single one, and a bigger cage/accessories. Our two boys had just received them as Xmas presents, and our youngest's one ended up dying. The owner not only was very friendly, but was very helpful and knowledgeable on how to properly taking care of the crabs. The prices are very reasonable (especially compared to Petco and Pet Supplies Plus) and they have a bunch of cool animals. I'll definitely be coming back for our crab needs.
Michelle J.
Feb 16, 2022
Seriously, who the heck sells possums? disgusting. WTF. It's all about the money. You have so many animal welfare people willing to work with you, but you can't see that selling rabbits before they are fixed is causing an incredible problem for rescues and shelters and animal control. You say it's because they are so young and it's too early to fix them.

Well then sell older rabbits. Do you and your wife not care at all? I do not understand. You are creating a horrible, horrible problem for rabbit rescuers everywhere. One word: pathetic.
Michelle Hidalgo
Feb 15, 2022
My actual rating is no stars. Please do not shop at this store and please do not purchase pets here. This store needs to be shut down. My friend and I visited this store today and the owner does not care about the animals, only cares about making a profit. There was a macaw laying on the bottom of cage and looked like it was dead. There's a 30 plus year old turtle who has lived there all those years and they sell squirrels for $200, prairie dogs and kittens which btw it's now illegal to sell kittens.

They sell kittens for $350 with no vaccines etc. Read the comments on here and you'll see there are a ton of people who mention purchasing a pet that died days later and the store didn't even reimburse them. The Macaw is $6,000.
Barry Gurewitz
Feb 15, 2022
We've been coming here for years! The owner is super nice, as are all of his employees. This is the way pet stores used to be when they were independently owned. They want you to handle the animals, which is refreshing!
Nicole G.
Feb 08, 2022
Shame on The Animal Store for your poor housing, enrichment, and lack of food and water for Spur - the tortoise you display in your establishment window. It is my plea for your management to treat this creature with proper care and compassion. Tortoises can live up to 100 years. She does not deserve to be subjected to inhumane treatment like this.

Do the right thing for this poor creatire! While I do not live in Chicago I visit often and have many family and friends who reside there and I will encourage them and anyone they know to steer clear of your business until you take steps to treat Spur and all animals with respect and compassion.
Felice H.
Feb 08, 2022
Crowded with small cages. Animals look stressed and apathetic. Can't believe we still do this to animals.
Xiomara Ramirez
Feb 07, 2022
I bought my baby here. Service was good. I believe pet store is overpriced. But is a cool local small pet store.
Jim Bell
Jan 31, 2022
I have been a happy customer of Kenn at The Animal Store for more than a decade. He runs a clean store and is an honest businessman. To those reviewers (and you poor, pathetic idiots picketing outside his store) who leave terrible reviews about animals living in their own excrement, etc, etc., etc. : go away! You must have some sort of mental condition to make these senseless, dishonest, and ridiculous accusations and reviews!
Sniff The S.
Dec 29, 2021
Came to this store to get rabbits a few weeks ago. The staff was extremely kind and knowledgeable! They were recommending products and told us to get the biggest enclosure possible. The reason I'm giving them 3 stars is because the enclosures they had the pets in that they were selling weren't in the best condition. My rabbits are doing really well though so I have no complaints about that. I hope they can fix up the animal enclosures for their animals soon. :D
Ruffy L.
Nov 22, 2021
Worst place to visit. I used to volunteer at this dusty dirty ass place for 8 months until I quit. When I first volunteer at this place, the owner was very rude to me and one of his former employee was also very rude to me too, not to mention to she was only two years younger than me and was bossing me around like she owns the place. The animals always look depress, especially the birds, chinchillas, and and hedgehogs. I've encountered three dead bunnies in their cage. The kittens are always crapped in a small cage and their laying on their poop, which is unsanitary. I don't recommend this place, especially with a shitty ass owner!
Natasia O.
Aug 24, 2021
The saddest store that ever lived. Attic fox for sale in bare bones cage crying, chinchilla that looks like it wants to die, small carriers just stacked on top of each other. Find a store that actually cares like Curious Creatures for your reptile needs or Wilmette Pet Center. Even places like pet smart and pet supplies plus is better than this sad store.
Christine K.
Jul 30, 2021
It's been a bit since I've been in here. This place is super cool to visit (all ages) to see all kinds of animals. Today they had Arctic foxes, bunnies, ground squirrels, fish, etc. we bought some dog treats to support the business; super friendly owner. Thanks! Love the renovation!
Kyle L.
Jul 29, 2021
This place should not be named the animal store, this place is worse than petco, they are overpriced and let me tell you there employees don't know anything about the pets they sell here. The owner is such a "A" hole and only cares about money. I highly recommend checking out "curious creatures " instead of waisting your time here. (They are super informative and have everything from isopods to exotic geckos and other unique pets )! So please save your time and don't go to the mini petco store aka "the animal store".
Kaia O.
Jul 24, 2021
I have shopped here for 10 years and have never had a bad experience. Always great costumer service and the owner is super nice. Now have two bunnies from here!
Nicole F.
Apr 21, 2021
I've gone back to this store and still love it but they don't have much of a fish selection and their blue lobster that i saw the last time was dead in its aquarium:
Evvy P.
Apr 17, 2021
So many friendly animals to interact with! Staff is very welcoming. I'll definitely be coming back :
Alex K.
Feb 27, 2021
The people that work here seem like they always have a stick up their butt. Not to mention the dude who owns it is a total dick. I overhear him lying to people just so he can make a sale, ALWAYS takes advantage of people lack of information. When I was a kid he used to do the same thing to me too. His sulcata tortoise and opossum don't have enough space either. EVERYTHING is overpriced as well, a decoration that's $20 at pet supplies plus will be $35 here.

I don't recommend going here. Try Chief Reptiles, they are awesome there and they also have springtails which the animal store does not have. Honesty is the best policy and this place doesn't have it :/
Jo G.
Jun 08, 2020
Hey guys! So I just adopted a crested gecko from these guys and I'm so happy with them. They actually really take care of their animals and they are all in great health. You can really feel that this is their passion. I 100% will be adopting many more lizard friends from them in the future. This is a great business to support. Come down and check them out!