Petersons Exotic Pets

Excelsior Pilgrim

2021-05

This is not a chain retail pet store. And anyone that favors small business, will become, dare I say...addicted to Petersons. The store is small. And the store is stuffed with anything you need for your pet(s). The staff is extremely friendly & courteous and always capable of answering your pet-related questions.Need something they do not have in-stock? They'll order-for-you. Put-it on lay-away, and pay-off a little every week.The critters are the favorites of the kids. Every kid wants a gerbil, hamster, parakeet, cockatiel, a over-sized lizard, hermit crabs, frogs. The boys want a snake(no snakes in the house!) or if they are a little bizarre, they want a rat the size of a dog. And every kid wants some tropical/saltwater fish. And Petersons, has a petite, beautiful saltwater reef display.So stop-in. Feel free to browse or to simply add-up prices for a future pet. corporate chain stores are everywhere. Small business, gives you that "Special attention." I've noticed many cages in chain stores that are just horrible condition. Cages look as if they have not been cleaned in months. And the inhabitants, do not give the appearance of being healthy.And ya want a healthy pet purchase. Many chain store employees, are not qualified to answer questions and learn from a video during employment. Small business, know their business from life experience. Their own passion. So STOP-in. Ya may find yourself coming back quite often.

Sarah Bennett

2022-05

Unfortunately, the price of everything these days is higher than expected and this place is no exception. However, this shop has nice clean fish and tanks, which is extremely important, as well as a cool assortment of exotic pets. I bought fancy goldfish and such supplies and am happy with those purchases. Owner was pretty knowledgeable when advising me on water and fish. Gave me good recommendations that benefitted me more than him and was very accommodating to my fish needs.**Bought a game out of a corner cabinet where he sells a small assortment of oddities, too.Overall a pretty decent experience here and I would buy again.

Daryana Lee

2024-02

Great variety of animals, really great lovely service. Best pet store in upstate. Angelo is the most nolegiable person for advice on pets

J Young

2024-02

Not many locally owned pet places left glad this is one of them great ownership and super nice people my 3 year old loves the place

Arron Mcclain

2023-06

Very friendly, and they great pet insight as well as great pets for sale.You should check them out!

Trista Cooney

2023-10

Went her for dubia roaches and refused to give them business as they provide horrible enclosure setups for their animals. The bearded dragons only has a red light for heating and no UVB. Red light is a huge no. On top of it those poor babies are in way too small of enclosures with wood chips. I don't care if it's temporary, you need to set the example for people coming into adopt these babies. You really need to research and provide way better care. My children and I witnessed a mouse being eaten alive by other mice. I'm so sad for these animals. These animals deserve a lot better, they didn't choose this life.

Jacob Mack

2023-05

Overall an excellent experience. The owners are helpful and extremely knowledgeable about their animals. The store is clean, welcoming and the door greeter is adorable! Can’t wait to come back next time!

Allie Y

2023-05

Family owned pet store, so much better than the chain pet stores. Animals were all happy and healthy. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. I wish I lived closer, I would definitely be a frequent customer!

Linda Cornish

2023-05

Kind and patient owner annd and staff. I went there to choose a pet rat and we found the perfect little female! The store was neat and clean. My boyfriend asked about a mouse, but the other owner had them in back cleaning them and their cages. They also have a nice selection of fish and so on. A+ in my book!

Sierra Curri

2021-05

I come to this pet store frequently, and all their animals are well kept and happy. The owners work with the animals so when you buy one they are used to people and very cuddly. They are in small cages yes but it's better then most places I've seen. The staff is knowledgeable and very kind. I love to support family owned businesses and they are by far my favorite around. I've bought many fish from them and I know of many people who have bought their animals and they are doing well, there has only been 1 issue and it was not at all the stores fault.

jason brodfuehrer

2022-05

I have been coming to this store for 35 years and I will say this is the best well kept store in the area. The Peterson family are the kindest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and they know their stuff about animal care. I have numerous reptiles, fish and other small animals that I’ve bought from them over the years that are well worth the price.If you go to any chain pet store you will find tons of critters jammed into either tiny tanks or barely alive. Not at Peterson’s. They take pride in their business and it shows.

A B

2023-05

I wandered in a few weeks ago and I fell in love with this family owned store. Petstore chains are all very uniform, this shop is definitely worth poking around. I saw all their animals well cared for that time and just yesterday. There's always someone cleaning someone's cage each time and feeding. They know what they are doing and will take the time to talk , give advise and answer questions. I bought a couple beautiful keeters and look forward to visiting again soon . Side note :the goffins is beautiful 😍 and seems friendly already ☺️ if someone doesn't adopt him soon my heart is gonna make me 😅

lauren lopez

2023-05

I am an aquarium lover. I decided to add a fish to my aquarium, I know how and what to do. The New fish died within a week and now I’m losing my fish one at a time. Owners response was “all sales final”. I have fish that are 8 years old in there and I know they are going to die like the last 3. She could have at least gave store credit, but no, just pointed to “all sales final” on that counter. I’ve given them so much business and now I’ll never go back.

Linda Bolton-Cornish

2023-05

Female owner or staff member very rude. No welcoming, wouldn't answer important questions, plus their children were there. I love kids but it was very distracting and annoying at times. **Cash only** Had to spend a half hour after my purchases were ready to get cash from my bank. Not satisfied. Will not return

Andrew Verminski

2021-05

Great staff, super helpful. Also here's a picture of the tortoise I bought from them,super happy.

Samantha Knight

2022-05

We got the cutest little bunny for our family! The gentleman there got us the whole set up gave us tips and tricks for care. He was very knowledgeable and treated us very nicely. We will definitely continue doing business here in the future.

Christopher Hanrahan

2024-05

Great people and very knowledgeable!

Jamie Finster

2021-05

We love visiting our local pet store!This family run business provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for pet lovers of all ages. The owners express knowledge and interest in helping you learn and care for your pets. This gem of a business is truly a staple in our city. You won’t regret your visit.

Nicole Jordan

2021-05

I love this pet store!!! They always have such cute animals. 😊I go through quite a few crickets for my frogs and Bearded dragon. I can always count on these guys to have them!! I've never had to go anywhere else. A lot of other businesses run out, or they all die.

April Davis

2022-05

I called here to inquire about a bird. They had 1 in stock I was interested in, and asked the price. The person said they don't give prices over the phone. I was willing to drive the distance, which was 69 miles one way, to get this bird, but refused to do so without knowing the price. Was very disappointed.

callie ott

2021-05

Peterson’s Pets is an amazing locally owned business. The pets are well cared for and there is a variety of fish and other animals to choose from. It is a very well kept store and the employees always make sure you find what you are looking for. They care about their customers, animals and overall Peterson’s Exotic pets is a great establishment that I would recommend to anyone looking to purchase an animal!!!!

Morgan Premo

2021-05

Didn't realize this per store existed until a fee days ago! I got a guinea pig from a pet store and wanted another one. Couldn't fine one anywhere until I came here! The pets seemed like they were taken care of unlike the pet store i went to. And everyone was super friendly! Would reccomend this store!! And I will be a regular customer now :)

Chysqu

2023-05

Exceeded my expectations and now I have a pet spider getting ready to chow on crickets larger than it.

Dw_393

2020-05

Very friendly environment. Always clean and they always make sure they have the items you need. I’ve bought a few animals from there and I haven’t been disappointed. Very unique and healthy animals. The best place to go get exotic pets and pet supplies

Brittany Lasher

2021-05

I have visited this shop 3 times in the past 6 months. Each time I show up, I am in high hopes that the habitat conditions for the small animals/ reptiles has improved.I have been continuously disappointed.These animals are in one of the worst shops I've witnessed in NY state.Overcrowded rodents, reptiles without proper set ups, bugs in tubs with no lids, ect.I asked the owner why the bearded dragons had no lights, no basking rock, no temp gauges, ect.I was told that he's 'working on it'.I am SO sad for these poor animals.Anyone who has does ANY bit of research on the animals in this shop, would immediately see that they are neglected.Even PetSmart has more humane habitats than this shop, and that says A LOT.I hope they improve soon.

Jack Krimson

2020-05

I love this pet store. They have everything you could need, reasonable prices and the people who work there are wonderful and very caring. Easily the best pet store in Rome, far better than those big corporate stores. Give them a look if you're in Rome, I guarentee you'll keep going back.

deda purdy

2020-05

GREAT service! The owner was very nice and willing to help our Rotary Club with our annual Goldfish give away at the Fireworks Over Oriskany Falls. We needed 100 fish and she supplied them on short notice.

Victoria Stehlik

2018-05

Smaller than your big box stores but so much friendlier. I went to a large chain store looking for food for my bearded dragon. Everything in their case was dead or out of stock. Peterson's had just what I needed and plenty of it. I will be going back.

Miki Baldwin

2021-05

I am not one to go out of my way to shame or publicly drag people or businesses through the mud, but what I saw on my visit over the weekend needs to be shared.My first complaint is about the open tubs of feeder insects on the sales floor. That's a great way for your supply to be exposed to all sorts of outside bacteria etc.But the reptile section is extremely poorly kept. I am only thankful that this section is small so more animals are not subjected to this substandard level of care. 2 specific examples I will call out:1. An adult viper boa is an 8"x8"x12" enclosure which for one thing is entirely too small. And there is no heat source on this snake at all. This is a snake that requires ambient temps in the high 80's and a basking spot in the low 90s. Not even so much as a UTH. I checked. I told a friend in rescue about this situation and she was told they are selling this snake for $300. (This may be the going rate for a healthy adult, proven breeder but not for a snake in subpar conditions and likely WC.)2. Let's talk about the adult sized bearded dragon in a 10 gallon tank. Barely even twice its length and not enough room to turn comfortably. The minimum recommendation to bearded dragon keepers is a 75 gallon but a 4'x4'x2' is ideal. (Even a 40 gallon breeder would have been less sad to see this sweet animal in.) The only heat source was a PURPLE light which all current research shows to be terrible for reptiles eye sight. No other heat source, no UV, no true basking spot. (While I did not have a thermometer on my person to check, a hand test near the lamp easily told me it was not warm enough in the enclosure and a temperature gradient for regulation is completely impossible.) Again, an inquiry was made by a rescue about this animal and they were told the cost would be $250. (That not only is much higher than the going rate for beardies in this area, but also for one that is going to have several potential health issues such as Metobolic Bone Disease.)It is my opinion and observation, that this business should not be selling, "caring" for, or giving any advice on reptiles since their standard of care was so low. This is truly one of the worst reptiles sections in a pet store I have seen in CNY. I sincerely hope that they reconsider their niche in the market and stick to fish. Their fish tanks all appeared to be clean and well cared for.

FLAMEZELIX1R Richardson

2022-05

This is a Conflicting thing, I love the fact that they have great Pets and Feeder Bugs/Feeder Mice. But there seems to be no set Schedule in this Establishment as far as Opening and Closing! They say right on the Door Open Monday through Saturday 9 til 5, So why was Me, My GF, and another Customer outside waiting for someone to show up at 9:40 only to end up just Leaving because it was too long of a wait?! This needs to be fixed, It'll have a negative effect on how Customers view this Establishment if Yall are saying You'll do one thing only to do another, its supposed to be Convenient to the Customer not the Employee..