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| - For me, this store goes by another name: "The Bunny Zoo."
As in, sometimes when my husband and I are headed east along Tropicana, I'll say, "Oh, let's stop in at the Bunny Zoo!"
And sure enough, every time we go in, there are plenty of well-adjusted soft, soft, soft (tell me how soft, George) rabbits and guinea pigs and ferrets available for gentle patting and "squeee!" admiration.
Of course, being the proprietor of a private "dwarf hamster zoo" myself (not by design, but because the SPCA is poo at sexing small varmints), I have to give the small rodent section of Pet Kingdom USA a hairy-eyed inspection on every visit.
After five years of regular checkups, my conclusion is that - despite the small habitats (just like everywhere else) - the hamsters are clean and comfortable (very important) and well looked after. Unlike most pet stores and shelters, the staff doesn't seem to be squicked out by rodents and thus afraid to handle the critters (also very important).
I don't usually pay attention to the more exotic offerings, although on my last visit two Paris Hilton-wannabes in their Cali-plated convertible certainly were having a OMG-fest over a marmoset. Of course, for all I know, they were Paris Hilton's actual BFFs - the store has had a lot of press over selling exotics to the famous celebutante. But if you do want a little monkey on your back (and prefer the real thing to a heroin metaphor), PK USA is known for selling to the fringes of animal companionship.
The staff always greet us as we enter, but there's no hovering, what with the store always being so busy, so I don't really know what the employees are like. All of the hamster essentials are in stock, but I find myself shopping online or at other stores for more selection. Bulk food for a variety of animals is offered, and rumour has it that teachers get a discount, but so far I've stuck to what I know my pets already like (and what's available closer to home).
So, how can I give four stars to a place where - year after year - I've never made a purchase? It all comes down to well-executed compassion and some display of knowledge, which is all I really ask for in a pet store. At PK USA the animals are treated well and, if the signs are any indication, the staff seem to know what they're doing.
I mentioned shelters above, and it's true that I advocate always checking into these options before purchasing a pet. Sometimes shelters have exotics, and - on the less exotic end - I *know* that our local SPCA is constantly full of homeless bunnies, guinea pigs, gerbils, and different kinds of hamsters.
But that's not why I'm holding back a star; it would be unfair to penalize PK USA for being exactly what it sets out to be - a pet store.
No, I'm holding back the star because - judging with the idea that a 5-star pet store should be near-ideal - Pet Kingdom USA doesn't quite hit the mecca-mark. The store is cramped for both visitors and, as I said, some of the critters. The selection could be better (although, again as I said, you can get the essentials). If they have a screening program for purchasers, it isn't well advertised, and ditto for any outreach they may do with shelters. (I'm not a fan of the big box pet stores, but they do host adoption events.) And don't get me started on selling puppies/kittens instead of using that space to do more for the exotics. Grrr.
The store is very good, but given its popularity, I don't see why it hasn't expanded into something better.
But if you told me that you wanted a dwarf hamster and, I don't know, you were bound by some weird genie oath that prevented you from going to a shelter or checking out Craigslist, I would definitely point you to Pet Kingdom USA. You'd find a good selection of color and species (did you know there are four types of dwarf hamster?), and the hams wouldn't be mental or miserable from dirty cages or lack of handling.
And even if you didn't find what you wanted, at least you'd get to visit the Bunny Zoo!
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