Zookeeper Exotics

9012 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758, USA

Related:	skyzone van nuys
Address:	9012 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758, USA
Phone:	+1 512-453-8800
Rating:	4.8
Working:	10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8:30PM 10AM–7PM 12–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Lily Sparkman

I have to give Zookeeper one star even though I really wanted to like this place. I have been in several times and the staff have always seemed kind and helpful and happy to work there, but recently my best friend surprised me with ball python from them, and they sold her a very sick snake. I was absolutely thrilled to see my snake, but after holding her for a few minutes I noticed she had bubbles coming out of her mouth, so I put her down in her cage and then she opened her mouth and made a little gasping sound. I googled it to make sure this was normal behavior, but I was finding that these were symptoms of a respitory infection. Then she started rubbing her mouth on objects around her to try to wipe mucus and dirt off her mouth, as well as making clicking and wheezing sounds, also bad symptoms. My friend called them on the phone to let them know what happened, and they did seemed concerned and told her she could bring her back to them in the morning to be quarantined since they would be closing soon, but I took her and made it in time so they could keep her over night (I didnt have any heating lamps or pads for her yet, and didnt want her condition to worsen). They let me know they would let management know what happened and they could work it out with us in the morning. That morning I set her up a vet appointment to be on the safe side, so when they called my roommate she asked if they could refund her any of her money so she could put that towards her vet bill and they said they couldnt help with her vet bills, but they could keep the snake and treat her for us, and we could decide. I didnt feel like I could really trust them to treat her since they hadnt even seemed to notice she was sick in the first place, so I was already kinda leaning towards just taking her to the vet, but my roommate asked what they could do for her and basically all they could do was keep her "extra warm and quarantined", and everything I was reading recommend taking her to a vet who could administer culture tests and some antibiotics, plus her symptoms indicated she was well past the point of being able to heat her up and letting her fight the infection off herself, so we both decided to let a vet treat her instead. When my roommate went to pick up from zookeeper, she said the girl seemed disappointed and said "Aww, youre taking her? She was doing so good.." And almost seemed like she was trying to make my friend feel bad about for taking her to a vet! And getting her medicine!! And then my friend gets her and shes (of course) in the exact same shape as when we left her. I thankful we got her and found her a great vet, he took cultures and gave her some antibiotics and have her at home, but zookeeper doesnt really seem to care we had to sink another $330 on a pet that we didnt neglect in the first place... And I dont mind at all paying for her vet bills and I would do it a hundred times if I had to, but the circumstances that I was in to pay for that were just unacceptable. Including her initial costs we basically paid about $700 for a sick snake. I understand that animals can get sick even under the best care, but the bottom line is they should have caught her at the door, and it really doesnt make me feel any better that my roommate paid a deposit for her two full weeks ago, and NOBODY noticed she was sick in that time frame.. If somebody who has never owned a snake can hold her for five minutes me know something isnt right, there is absolutely no excuse... Its one thing to sell your customer low quality products buts its another thing when when that product is a living animal that has to suffer through it. Hopefully she will make a full recovery, and were ecstatic to have her, but Im heartbroken that she had to go through any of this. I wished I could love Zookeeper because theyre so close to me and it would have been a convenient place to get her food, but Im too angry to go back. Be careful buying animals from them. Hopefully this is an isolated incident.

A Private User

I bought a water monitor that had just come in the door. He had some medical issues common to hatchling water monitors in particular- these ARE pretty delicate lizards despite their eventual size. I originaly planned to buy a slightly older and established specimen but was told he was sold the day before. They reluctantly sold me the new and somewhat mysterious new lizard. They helped me set up an ideal terrarium for the lizard, but he never improved. I eventually came back into the store with my sickly lizard....and they swapped it for a healthy, acclimated, (and bigger) new water monitor! Essentially taking upon themselves any vet bills I would have to pay to save the one they sold me. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNCOMMON IN THE EXOTIC PET INDUSTRY!!!!!! These guys actually stand by their pets and make sure you are a happy customer. I bought a corn snake from them last year, this time a water monitor, next will be a tegu (from zookeeper, of course). They also have the fattest and cheapest crickets in town:) Oh and Ive been to Herpeton too, no way these two compare, see for yourself. ZOOKEEPER ROCKS!!!!!!!

A Private User

This is the best exotic pet store in Austin. I used to go to Herpeton down South where I live, but became fed up with the unethical way they treat their animals and run their business. Now I make the 30+ minute drive up North every 2 weeks just to buy feeder mice. They keep they cages clean, their animals look to be in good shape. Its good to see new reptiles cages are covered with butcher paper to allow time for adjustment. Ive never seen such a thing at Herpeton - are you kidding? Its always the same motely staff, and I just love them. Theyre very knowledgeable, eccentric, and friendly. You can tell they really love/know animals. I bought a small Gold Dust motley corn snake from them a while back, and while expensive, it was no more than what I would pay + shipping online. So far hes done great. Ive seen some extremely reasonably priced bearded dragon morphs. They sell used terrariums, which is so awesome. Their feeder mice are ALWAYS great quality. Basically, I would recommend to anyone. Even if youre not getting anything, stop in and see the giant sloth!

A Private User

This store was wonderful to explore. They have every different kind of animal you can imagine including a two toed sloth, hedgehogs, rabbits, lizards, gerbils, snakes, tarantulas, a chinchilla and so much more. Not all of the animals looked the most comfortable but I didnt see any in actually bad conditions. I also called in for snake food and while they werent in stock, they checked around for places that would, and when that wasnt available, asked me what kind of snake I was feeding and from that information gave me BETTER suggestions on what I should look for and where to find it. Their staff are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable that I have found. I definitely suggest you go look at their shop and explore their options. Give an animal a loving home and a good life.