Reviews of Pet Paradise Express (Fish Shop)

Brett Vandermey

Best reptile store in Waterloo Region. Lots of very unique reptiles, excellent prices and they always have feeders in stock. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and all of the reptiles seem well taken care of.

John

Owner not very personable prices are high

The blue sky see

Beautiful animals very friendly staff

Mangold Kelz

Great staff friendly and knowledgeable

JOHNOY Williams

One of the best reptile stores in Cambridge knowledgeable and they know what they're doing

Workman Family

Very knowledgable staff, very friendly and approachable. High quality animals. Highly recommend.

Jordan M

These guys are great. Very knowledgable and helpful and the prices are less than anywhere else for supplies. Thanks!

Will

Helpful and knowledgeable staff best pet store for exotics in town.

Tatiana Finch

Awesome selection on animals and super friendly staff! Their selection is exactly as they put "rare and exotic" a lot of their reptiles would be hard to find anywhere else, I actually got to learn about a few reptiles I didnt even know about! They are super informative and you can tell they actually love all their animals! They will definitely be my go to store from now on!

Steph D

They really knew what they were talking about

Geoff Pearson

This store and staff are the best when it comes to exotic pets. Their knowledge is such an added benefit to their great prices and selection.

Brinn Heseltine

Great place for all your reptile/herp needs! Very knowledgeable staff!

Brent Higgins

Great staff and tons of Aquarium and Terarium media and decorations as well as hard to find tropical fresh water fish.

Ben Butler

Hi there I have a baby corn snake and soon I will be going to collage and can’t find anybody to take care of him and was wondering if you guys take in animals

Ron A

Ariana was very helpful

Elma Hoffman

Love these guys. They go out of their way to help you find what you need. Way better than Big Al's.

jason samms

Got my avicularia here

Theshawn Barry

Excellent service and pet advice.

Tabitha Cottrill

I brought my son and his friend here and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the staff were busy packing up for a reptile show, they still took the time to walk us through the store and tell us anything we'd like to know. They were very helpful and informative. We learned a lot. Downside, my son now wants a gecko.

Sher V

I'm so pleased to have stumbled upon this little place! I have a VERY HAPPY BEARDED DRAGON NOW! They have FANTASTIC pricing and amazingly ACCOMMODATING service! I got healthy crickets, a horn worm and super worms for under $5.00! I know a larger pet store would've charged me over $10.00! I am a client for the rest of the life of Damian now!

Miscellaneous McC

Just went into this beautiful little shop and I have to say it is probably one of the best reptile and snake stores I have been in! Such a wonderful variety of snakes that you just don't see in most shops. The gentleman there was also super helpful in giving me advice about beginner snakes and setups. I highly recommend everyone check this shop out! I know I will be back in on the day I decide to get my snake!

Pete N

friendly staff and willing to help locate specific reptiles that they don't have in store

John S

First time I have been there and I love it. Fish room a small but looks well kept. Some interesting pieces of drift wood, and I love the rimless tanks they have. They even keep their fancy Bettas in full aquariums instead of cups

rhoan taylor

Very good customer service i get my feeder rats from here never had a problem with staff

Ryleigh Cooper

I originally had a 5 star rating, but due to my experience post purchase, I have decided to lower it. I purchased a Tarantula from REP on March 8th. When I first got him home, I set up his enclosure and let him be. I followed the advice of the shop owner, as well as many well known Tarantula breeders as to how to set up his space. He did not eat for the first two weeks I had him. I offered a variety of insects with no response. At the end of the third week, he went into molt, and was immediately stuck. His entire legs and chest were stuck in the molt. There was no saving the poor guy and he passed away. I was distraught, and contacted people to get some advice and insight into what may have happened. They informed me that he may have been wild caught, or from a wholesaler who did not keep him in proper conditions. Not only am I out $100, I have lost a pet that I sincerely loved. I am not trying to bash the store, as I have had good purchases from them in the past. If you take anything from this review, please do your research as to WHERE YOUR PET CAME FROM. If you purchase a potentially wild caught animal, be prepared to deal with any consequences.

David Escobar

Great place and knowledgeable staff

Justin Czech

Came here to get items for my first bioactive terrarium for a future pacman frog. Wanted to set up the tank first before purchasing one so I don't have a review yet on an animal specifically but the customer service was great and all the animals looked healthy and happy. The guy that helped me was super helpful getting me going but also gave me space to search around on my own too which I appreciated. Item selection was amazing, I got some bedding, substrate, live plants, cork bark, leaf litter, springtails and Isopods. I find it hard in KW/Cambridge to find a pet store that has most of these things so I will defiantly be back, especially when going to get my frog!

Jared Lee

Highly knowledgeable and approachable staff. Exotic pets including spiders, scorpions, lizards, snakes, frogs, and reptiles. Broad range of necessary equipment and products. Overall a great time.

Ariana Louise

My favourite place to go for reptile needs and also one of my favourite stores just in general. I love going to a store where the owners are as enthusiastic about reptiles as I am. Justin is really nice and patient with all my questions and asking to look at specific animals. I always enjoy coming here :)

Victoria Logan

The guy we spoke with was incredibly knowledgeable, he offered great advice and had excellent customer service skills. We will definitely be going back there.

Andre Pigeau

The staff at this establishment are too busy socializing with themselves than to deal with a buying customer. I stood at the cash for over 10 minutes while the store clerk discussed the habits of a particular tarantula with a woman who was waiting for her taxi to arrive. All I wanted was a feeder rat for my snake but it didn't seem to be that important.

Dustin Maccuish

over priced not very big selection.smh

S G

Great place with friendly knowledgeable & honest staff. With a very wide range of reptiles and other exotic animals.

lay patel

It was awesome.. ????????????

Bella Boo

So I had to learn the hard way exotic pet trade is something we need to stop. The lizards I got were very sick and got very depressed because, they were ripped from their habitat and sold on the shelves for a pet. I stupidly supported the cruel development of the animal trade. The second I got the lizards and brought them home I knew something was wrong with them. I thought I could help them but they were sick. I spent over $3000 on them and vet bills trying to help them get better. I had even bought a bigger tank tried my best to imitate their environment. I had done all my research to make sure I was doing everything I could for them to get better and maybe not be as stressed or depressed. It was to late the vet did everything. About a month and a half after buying them. They both passed. First Sally died. Then because Jack lost his partner he got even more depressed, sick and passed two days later. After all this I looked more into the pet trade. These poor living creatures are beautiful but should be left in there natural habitat. Think about this one day ur at home someone breaks into ur home. You can't stop them. They kidnap u and stuff u in a little plastic container. Your shipped off where ever the demand is high. Meanwhile you have no food your getting banged around, your frezzing and scared. the reality is these beings can feel get sick and get depressed just like us humans can. Ripping them from there homes as they stuggle to get away from the catcher. Stuffing them into a container just to ship them around the world. While many die during this before they even make thier destination. The ones that live will be sold as desplay peice of beautie. Now when I see them all I can see how we take and destroy nature at its finest just for our own greed. It's been almost a year now and it still kills me to this day that I was part of it and that it's still happening. Sadly I know it will never change and at this very moment someone is capturing more just for their own profit. But I vowed to myself after I found out they were sick I'll never support exotic pet trade again. I called once after I knew the javan tree dragons were sick and the boss told me to go to Preston vet. After they died someone called on my behalf talked to the boss asked about pet insurance and if I could get my money back on them witch was $100 compared to the $3000 I spent he said he call back but never heard from him again I know this was a year ago but I saw the picture of them on my fb and I'm still very mad at ur horrible service

Hayden McDougall

Good people who know about snakes. Great store

Jules Harris

It could be run a bit better. Family operated. More pets than retail in there.

Olivia

Just stopped in to check the place out and was greatly by wonderful and knowledgable staff. I was scared of snakes before entering and after chatting with Tom and Tony, I was holding one and tempted to buy it! I can't wait until my next visit to the store.

Matt Napasney

Very good service, very knowledgable all around. I honestly could not have asked for better service! I very strongly recommend doing business with this place! A+

Dilly Dreed

Half decent place. Would have gave it 4 stars but got bit by a snake they showing me that was "super friendly"

Kristen

These guys are always super friendly and helpful. And it was great that they offered delivery when everything was shut down due to COVID-19! They've got the best selection of product in the area too!

EmilyTaylor131

I got my yearling ball python here, I've had her for almost 4 months and she is amazing. Very knowledgable staff and very friendly as well. Love their collection too ❤️

Owen Lindsay

This store is really great to go to and see all the animals and the good service the prices are fair and decent. The first snake I got had a defect but hes in their care it was a very unnoticeable defect so that's ok and hes better off with them but they gave me a new snake in exchange and hes been doing great. I suggest buying your reptiles here

Li

Great little shop for anything exotic, if not in stock they can contact breeders and get you what you wish. Have picked up a tarantula from this place before and love her to bits

Dar Woodley

Very informative and a great experience for the kids. We may be getting a gecco!

Lacey Capobianco

What a great experience I had at Rare Exotic Pets! Owners and staff were so friendly and patient with all my many questions. Justin took the time to show me around, and explained everything with such detail and enthusiasm. The animals were well kept and obviously cared for meticulously. I would recommend visiting Rare Exotic Pets and see what they have for your family.

raza h

Friendly people they will help you with any question u got I been going there for years now

Haley lowe

Always super friendly staff and always happy to educate you about anything. Also the animals are amazing

Ryan Skanes

Very friendly service & great for your Fish or Lizard supplies!

Jody Lerette

Service is hit or miss here. Depends on who's working. Half the time they don't have what is needed in stock. The one great worker isn't there anymore or at least when I go in. Service was much better with him. I've seen dead geckos from being over heated and not maintained. Would never have happened with him there before...

Sarah Escobar

Friendly,knowledgeable, great collection and prices

Jessica Boles

Great service! Just wish there was more of a Hamster section! ☺

Doug Dragon

They got everything my snake needs.

mike Mathewson

I bought some reptile supplies from this shop that I ended up returning and ended up with mites. I only own 1 snake and no other reptiles. I'm the only one out of my friends that own any reptiles. I don't even go to any pet shops to buy my frozen rats. I buy my frozen rats from a private residence that raises and sells rats and mice and they don't own any reptiles. I thought about going in and talking to him but I'm sure he will denie it. Anyone who buys any reptiles from this place make sure you check your reptile for mites.

Chris B

I bought a corn snake at Rare Exotic Pets in April and have visited a few times since. Before I bought the snake, I was in email contact with Justin, who was able to answer all my questions promptly. The snake was (and still is) in great health, established on frozen/thawed mice, and used to regular handling. Every time I’ve been in the store, usually to get feeder insects for my bearded that I rescued, the staff have greeted me warmly and have been extremely knowledgeable, but Justin takes the cake. He offered me advice for how to rehabilitate my bearded dragon (he had muscular atrophy in his back legs) and spent quite a while talking to me about an animal he didn’t even sell to me - he’s just that friendly! There’s a rotating cast of reptiles in the store which makes each visit interesting, and the feeder rodents and insects are cheaper than those at PetSmart. If I lived closer you Cambridge I would certainly spend a lot more time and money at their store :)

Nathan Loube

Went in after work today with little knowledge and many needs. The person (wish I got a name) who helped me was incredibly knowledgeable and above all, legendary patience with a total new guy to the reptile world like me. I felt very confident with my purchases. Definitely be back!

Kenzie Jones

Awesome store! Love going in to look at all the critters and they always have what I need for my fish. Staff is really helpful and informative.

Graeme Kaudewitz

Get your supplies here. Cheaper and up to half price of any other place around. Especially feeder food, live or dead.

Travis Vasil

Great prices cool staff

Anuradha Bandara Wijayakoon

Good collection of aquarium decorations.. reasonable prices and very friendly staff..

Karlo Dunatov

Really friendly and experienced staff. Great selection of exotic wildlife to choose from and all the supplies you'll ever need.

Chris R

I was looking for a lizard for my daughter's first pet. The staff went out of their way to educate us on the pros and cons / suitability / maintenance of each species. The overall experience was great, and we are very happy with the new member of our family. We'll definitely be back in the future!

Andrew F

Always great service and the owner definitely knows that he's talking about. Definitely will get all my reptile stuff from them.

david embro

Great places and great pets ????????

serpentexotics

Great shop!

Oliver Sarmazian

Great Store! Sells all sorts of stuff but what i bought was a crested gecko and he is healthy and very playful. The staff are kind and very helpful and they give you good advise on what you should get. Thanks, Pet Paradise!

Sebastian Ljubec

Fantastic people running this place who understand what they're doing, have purchased 2 healthy and fansastic snakes from them and return weekly for food/accessories, never had a problem here

A G

I went to rare exotic pets to buy our first tarantula. The gentleman who helped me with all the details was very thorough and knowledgeable. Thanks for helping me make educated decisions! I felt like our interaction was full of integrity, and I would definitely buy here again

V Fafard

Staff is knowledgeable, experienced, and honest. Prices are reasonable. We drove from London and would gladly return.

Frank Mazzocato

Owners were kind in sharing info and no pressure into buying anything. Kids loved this place.

Cdibs reyfunny

They sell snakes spiders and reptiles and rabbits have nice staff and let you see snakes in the drawers to see them

scott Pilgrim

Nice place and friendly staff. Many supplies at decent prices.

Zack Lamers

Good prices and service.

Samantha Staresincic

I am quite disappointed with this shop. I went in a couple times and it seemed to be a decent shop, despite often having to wait long stretches for customer service. I purchased a Rough Green Snake that died within a few weeks of owning it. I presume it was sick since I got it, but was unable to tell earlier with the little guy. I've owned every type of pet before and took care of it exactly as I was told to by the shop. Although Justin offered me a discount on a replacement, I decided that I didn't just want to replace the pet I've fallen in love with. I asked for my money back and he said no, that they guarantee the pet is in good health from the store. Obviously it wasn't. I would recommend searching elsewhere - they seem like a nice shop but have terrible problem resolution with their customers. He would've kept me as a customer if he had returned the cost of the pet, considering I have to front the cost of restarting the entire terrarium for the next pet.

Tera Chambers

This is my go to for all exotic animal needs. Great staff. Very welcoming and informative.

Tabby Donohue

Very useful love shopping there very friendly people cool pets

Christina Nemeth

Very friendly.

Nicholas Fournier

Bought a Malaysian Forest Scorpion from these guys. Scorpion was very healthy and eats without a problem. The guy was very knowledgeable and told me all I needed to know about this specific breed of scorpion. I highly recommend and suggest that you take any and all reptile or arachnid business here. So if you're new to reptiles or arachnids, I 'd definitely suggest going to these guys with your business. Even if you have years of experience, this is still a great store to go for to get supplies and maybe a new pet.

Luke Coughey

Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Lots of creepy creatures to look at and buy. They also have a good selection of all the necessary supplies needed to care for your new friend.

Steven Little

Friendly owner that is happy to answer any questions you have.

Colin nantais

I would just like to put in a review for this wonderful exotic pet store. The owner/manager seemed extremely knowledgeable on every single thing in his store living or not. I have purchased isopods and springtales all in which are thriving in my community, he told me a way to keep a lifetime of springtales which is very honest to me as now I won't have to go out and spend money every time, i now have the knowledge to breed my own. In my opinion that's very professional and you would definitely receive my business again. I have yet to purchase my own exotic pet as my enclosure is not quite ready. I have had my brother purchase a crested gecko from them who is still happy and healthy from the moment we received him. I would suggest this to anyone local or not as you will get a happy, healthy exotic pet as well as thoroughly enjoy your experience in caring for these creatures because of the knowledge that's been shared amongst the store. You will be seeing me again ! Also just an FYI I've seen some one star reviews for this store because of the state of the tanks. I have been there multiple occasions and every thing has been spotless. You need to keep in mind these animals don't live there full time and it's alot of work to set up a new cage for every new animal that comes into the store. Having said that enclosures change daily sometimes so you can't always have live plants and running water. There was always water in the bowls and tanks were fresh and moist.

Ashley Froncisz

Lots of stuff, lots of different exotic pets. Good knowledgeable people.

Dustin Roberts

huge selection, very helpful and knowledgeable staff. very pleased with my purchase! thanks guys!

Shane Ruddell

Do you guys carry arachnids

Jason Hearle

Small little exotic store but very friendly and helpful staff.

Jennette Reid

This is a great stop with knowledgeable staff and a wide variety of pets. I really like that they will also help you source some and can do custom orders.

Katie Ward

Animals live in dirty, rotten, moldy conditions. Water dishes are full of feces, never scrubbed, minimal water if any. Staff just stand at front talking to each other rather than providing fresh water & clean conditions. Very sad to see

Damian Kefalas

Excellent service, super knowledgable and an incredible passion towards their animals.

Sherri Couto

Hit and miss customer service. When I first came in a few months ago, I was happy with the customer service although I felt that the staff talked too much. A few times I have gone in they did not have rats available. Prices are more expensive than other places. If you are looking for great customer service and competitive pricing check out Big Al's in Kitchener.

Some One

Awesome place, bought my first snake from here and its been in good health. Staff is super friendly and informative.

Ed Brown

Informed staff helpful

Derrick Rowe

Very good knowledge of reptiles and good 1 on 1 service

Evie Mason

Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, good stock and prices aren't expensive at all, will be back again.

Crystal Durham

Came into Kitchener for the first time in a while this past weekend and decided to stop at pet paradise express since the store is owned by the same people as in London. The owner and staff in London are great to deal with, very friendly and helpful. I wish I this carried over to their new location but the staff did not seem very interested in helping customers it seemed. They were too busy talking to each other to see if we needed help.

Jason McCabe

Local and has what's needed

DeeAnn Becker

Knowledgable and friendly service.

Jake Kearns

Always knowledgeable and super helpful about reptiles and very very well stocked

Wade Veldhuyzen vanZanten

Good selection and friendly service. The pets are top quality well cared for.

Jeremy Picard

Nice little place. They had everything I was looking for and more.

Tiana Trottier

This place is great, I had been searching for Sphagnum Moss and not only did they have stock, but they put it on hold for me as well. Due to unforeseen issues I was running late and would not have made their closing time- the gentleman working was so nice and waited the few minutes for me to get there. This was much appreciated because I live 45 minutes away so coming back (with my 1 year old in the car) would have been exhausting. Such great service!

Aj Nelson

Very friendly staff! Though it may take a few minutes to talk to someone, its always great service when you do. Its a small place with people that know what they are talking about. If wait all day if I had to.

Eden Exotics

Great little shop! They have everything you need for your reptile needs

Robert McNicol

Knowledge, selection and pricing. Cannot be matched else where.

jenn oke

Set good and health crickets and worms

Lynamon 007

Great little reptile store. True fly people and good products

Megan Borys

Purchased a few snakes from Justin online, and the transaction was great! A fast and easy transaction with very healthy, beautiful snakes. I would highly recommend purchasing reptiles from him and his company ????

Daniel Gaudet

Very friendly, informative -- fun! Lotsa snakes, too.

Darren Mathers

About to go into a fourth wave and the workers don't mask in this store

darrell mahaffy

They knew we were just in to look, but still took time to let my daughter hold some of their creatures.

BoHan Zhang

Very friendly service and knowledgeable staff

Gordon Rankin

Interesting place

Cihan Demir

I was there today with my daughter. We bought a beautiful leopard lizard. They were very nice. They care about their pets. Some people made negative common about them for no reason. Independently operated and they need our help. No ones are perfect. We can t judge just how we want things. Before writing about negative common put yourself in their shoes. They are professional and they like what they are doing. That is all matters.

Rina Jakupi

Staff was very friendly and very helpful

Rose Keefe

I bought a Burmese python from Rare Exotic Pets and couldn't be happier!! First-rate store and staff.

Jessica Booher

Not only do they carry live rodents for snakes to squeeze to death, they provide the opposite of proper care for the rats before their deaths. It is extremely inhumane to keep rats in aquariums without enrichment and hides. Shame on you.

Steve Cook

Nice store knowledgeable staff. They just are not strict on wearing a mask, so employees and customers are walking close contact with out masks on.

Jess C

Fantastic little store. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

kerri kelly

Very helpful and nice

Justine Walker

The gentleman who helped me today with .y corn snake and ball python was very knowledgeable.

core trigger

Never had a problem with anything they sold me

Lee Lynhiavu

Very helpful!

Steve

Nice pet shop, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Fish room is not stocked up fully but it looks great !

Rhonda Cline

Very helpful and friendly

Faith Woodley

Really cool place,, owner is extremely knowledgeable. We picked his brain on a snake for a while there.

Zipvio2

Great place, the guys know what they're talking about. Good info from them, nice setup and animals look healthy and well taken care of.

Julie Smyth

The guy who owns it is so knowledgeable and friendly. The young man who works for him is a great guy too. The place is spotless and the reptiles are so healthy looking.

Steve Humby

Nice store but bad experience out there with my son.

Brandon Vanderpols

Absolutely the best place to get reptiles ,feeders , fish and all your supplies . Very friendly and very knowledgeable about everything they work with . Definitely recommend checking them out

Zach Lankveld

Excellent selections, we purchased a turtle. They were very knowledgable and helpful to help us find the proper equiptment.

Chris A

I bought a Nigerian Uro from the owner nearly a year ago. Great service from start to finish. I'm a little sad to see that the store has changed ownership and I'm curious who now runs this location. Looking forward to a return trip after the lockdown!

Eva Faller

Excellent experience.

Sarah Klingbeil

Great customer service!! They helped make my kids first experience picking out fish a huge success!!

justin croft

Amazing staff!!!

Taylor Vincent

This is not a humane way to house rats! No ventilation, no readily available food or water, zero hides and very little floor space. The rats also appear to be underweight. Even if these are suppose to be feeder rats they should be treated humanely and kept healthy. No one should feed their reptile a sick rodent anyway. That being said they appear to be Rex so I question if that’s their intended use. As a pet store the least you can do is demonstrate proper husbandry. If you can’t properly house them, don’t carry them!

Keith Relf

I went there today to get a rat for my snake, the past few times I've had really bad service but today topped the cake. The owner himself didn't help the situation either. Him and an employee were both helping one couple shop instead of one helping other customers too. I wasnt the only one waiting for help, if wasnt until I said forget this and left that the employee said sir.. but forget they've lost my business for good. They should get the original 2 employees back they were good this new one is not.

Carole Robinson

Love this place so much. They have really fired up our passion for reptiles. I really appreciate how Justin and his staff are so generous with their knowledge and experience - It really does make a difference. Their after sales support is amazing too; nothing is too much and there is no such thing as a silly question. You can usually find things here, that normally only ship from the US. Their prices are MUCH better than Big Al's too!

Hannah Leis

I really love this place for all their herptile supplies and feeder options, but I was very upset to see how the pet rats were kept. I saw 2 tanks with rats in them (glass tanks), rats need lots of ventilation due to the amount of ammonia they put off. Two of them in the back corner were in a very small tank and they didn't seem well... they looked very sad and lethargic :( they looked like dumbo rats. Adorable, but rats would do much better in a wire cage and height rather than floorspace

Kyle Williams

Great assortment of specialty products and very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Thanks again!

Elliot Fraser

Always helpful, and quite the selection of reptiles!