Business Details
37 Years
experience
Your Trusted Pet Store in Crystal Lake, IL
Birds and Beasts Pet Shop has been a family-owned and operated business since 1989, dedicated to providing high-quality pets and expert care guidance to customers in Crystal Lake and beyond. Our team includes biologists and specialists with extensive experience in the animal industry, ensuring comprehensive knowledge across avian, reptilian, aquatic, and small animal care. We pride ourselves on offering locally bred animals, including birds, reptiles, freshwater and saltwater fish, and invertebrates, alongside all necessary supplies and custom care kits. Our staff provides personalized assistance, written care sheets, and tailored advice to support both novice and experienced pet owners. With a commitment to customer education and animal welfare, we prioritize transparency and avoid cutting corners in pet care.Over decades, we have expanded our offerings while maintaining a family-like atmosphere for customers and employees alike. Our legacy includes two founders who retired in 2018, passing the torch to a new owner who continues their mission of excellence. We serve a diverse clientele, from hobbyists to breeders, and remain active in community engagement through social media promotions and educational outreach. Our store features three floors reflecting our growth and dedication to meeting evolving customer needs. Today, Birds and Beasts remains a trusted resource for pet care expertise and healthy, responsibly bred animals.
Services
Pet Sales
Aquarium Maintenance
Animal Grooming
Pet Supplies
Care Consultations
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We have been serving customers since 1989 with expert pet care knowledge.
- Our staff includes biologists and specialists in avian, aquatic, and reptile care.
- We offer locally bred animals from trusted employees and regional breeders.
- We provide free written care sheets and custom pet care kits.
- Our store carries over 30 years of accumulated expertise in exotic pet care.
Services
Pet Sales
We offer a diverse selection of live animals including birds, reptiles, freshwater and saltwater fish, and small animals. All pets are locally bred by our staff or trusted regional breeders. Our inventory includes canaries, finches, ball pythons, leopard geckos, bettas, and more, with detailed care information provided for each species.
Aquarium Maintenance
Our aquarium maintenance services include water testing, filtration system checks, and tank cleaning. We provide both freshwater and saltwater system maintenance with DI water options available. Customers receive expert consultation on aquarium setup, decor, and ecosystem balance to ensure optimal aquatic pet health and habitat conditions.
Animal Grooming
We offer professional grooming services for birds and small animals. This includes wing, nail, and beak trimming for birds, as well as nail trimming for reptiles and small mammals. Our trained staff performs these services safely while providing post-care instructions to maintain proper pet hygiene and prevent health issues.
Care Consultations
Our experienced staff provides personalized pet care guidance covering habitat setup, feeding requirements, and health monitoring. We offer free written care sheets for every species we carry and help customers select appropriate supplies. Consultations cover all aspects of pet ownership from basic care to specialized needs for exotic animals.
Pet Supplies
We stock comprehensive supplies for all pet types including cages, food, medications, and habitat accessories. Our inventory features bird cages, reptile enclosures, aquarium kits, and small animal housing. We carry preservative-free bird food, frozen feeder rodents, live plants, and specialized equipment to meet diverse pet care requirements.
People
Dan
Owner
Current owner who took over in 2017 after working with the store for over 10 years. Customer since 1990, continuing the founders' legacy of quality pet care and service.
Pat
Founder
Co-founder who retired in 2018 after nearly 30 years of operation. Helped establish the store's reputation for expert pet care and community engagement with customers and employees.
Paul
Founder
Co-founder who retired in 2018. Built the business alongside Pat since 1989, focusing on customer relationships and maintaining high standards of animal welfare and care education.
Brandon
Manager
Specializes in reptiles and aquatics with expertise in ball pythons, amphibians, and both freshwater and saltwater fish systems. Provides technical knowledge and care guidance to customers.
Patrick
Aquatics Manager
Biologist and wildlife conservationist specializing in freshwater ecosystems and aquaculture. Manages the aquatics department with expertise in Illinois native wildlife and aquarium maintenance.
Questions
What are your store hours?
We're open Monday 12-7, Tue-Wed 10-5, Thu 12-7, and Fri-Sun 10-5 at 35 Berkshire Dr, Crystal Lake, IL.
Do you offer pet grooming services?
Yes, we provide wing, nail, and beak trimming for birds, plus nail trimming for small animals and reptiles.
What types of animals do you carry?
We have birds (canaries, parrots), reptiles (geckos, snakes), freshwater/saltwater fish, amphibians, and small animals. Many are locally bred.
Do you provide pet care information?
Yes, we offer free written care sheets for every species and provide personalized guidance on habitat setup and maintenance.
Is financing available for purchases?
Currently we don't offer financing options, but we do accept major credit cards and have periodic discount promotions.
Do you have a loyalty program?
Yes, our Pet Club offers 10% off all purchases (excluding live birds and cat/dog food) for a $10 annual fee that becomes lifetime after renewal.
Reviews (7)
Dan D.
May 28, 2022
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Amazing pet store. Great fish frog reptile birds everything selection. Staff knowledge is spot on. I have been to almost every pet store within 50 miles of Chicago area and this one is definitely top 3 or better.
James O'Connor
May 21, 2022
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Very knowledgeable & friendly staff. I've bought fish from this shop for many years they're always healthy and have a nice selection. I've sent friends there, & now. they have unhealthy fish tank obsessions so i guess that's the only warning I'd give. lol Currently i have a community tank all fish from this store.
Jenna H.
Mar 26, 2022
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Absolutely love this place. All the employees are very informative of the type of animals they specialize in, and if you're not sure you're ready to pull the trigger they offer you a care sheet to take home to look over! A wide selection of everything and anything your pet will need and want! When it gets crowded it does get a little difficult to move around to see everything, so keep that in mind. Other than that, this will continue to be my go to pet supply store as it has been for the past 4 years, and all the years to come!
Salt
Feb 22, 2022
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I come here all the time. They have a great selection of exotic animals, the prices are hit or miss, often times you'll find animals under market value. When asked the owner told me it's all based on the price breeders are willing to give him. Staff is friendly and professional, the store is clean. If I had to find a negative I would genuinely be hard pressed to do so. A couple times I asked for medium crickets and the cashier accidentally gave me small, otherwise I've got nothing. Overall very nice place, fairly priced, would recommend.
Melody
Feb 09, 2022
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10 stars! Small family owned pet store. Best place to get a pet bird or other small exotic pet. They've been in business for over 30 years and are highly knowledgeable. Several staff members are certified avian specialists. Great selection of high quality toys and food, supplements, etc. Bulk options available. Pet club membership discounts. Highly recommend this place over any big box pet store. The animals are healthier and you will receive high quality information and resources to start life with your new pet on the right foot.
Mi Mo
Feb 07, 2022
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I love to stop in at Birds & Beasts Pet Shop for pet supplies. Every time I visit the shop, I know I will have a good interaction with knowledgeable animal people. I opted in for texts and frequently get notified about special sales. We have a fairly large reptile and no other store carries caves big enough for her. We got her this extra large hide when reptile supplies were on sale!
Shane Behm
Jan 24, 2022
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This place is awesome! Became a customer of theirs 8 years ago. They played a big part in me getting into the fish keeping hobby. They were super knowledgeable and had a huge variety to choose from. I moved away a few years ago, But I still send family and friends in the area their way. If you are ever looking to expand please start one in San Antonio Texas
