I don't know if your experiences of pet shops have been the same as mine but I have found that they fall into three categories. First there's the "pet supermarket", where you help yourself off of stacked shelves and pay at the counter without anyone even trying to assist you (or being capable). A lot of web stores obviously also fit into this category. Then there's the "expert hobbyist store". They don't seem to want to even talk to you, unless you can show them you know as much as they do about the most unusual of animals. Have you noticed how their sole purpose seems to be to demonstrate they know more than you? The third group is VERY small and it's where we fit in. The family owned, community pet shop, where the staff know what they are talking about but are only too happy to help with advice and assistance regardless of your own level of knowledge and where you are made to feel as welcome buying a dog chew as if you were buying the most complex vivarium set up for your exotic pet. I hope that's what you are looking for from your pet shop.
