Welcome to the next in a series of profiles highlighting the generous
sponsors of The Toronto Willowdale Aquarium
Society.Each month we will feature a
local pet store and talk to the owner or manager about their business and we'll
include photos of the store.
On
this edition of Sponsor Spotlight we're "Off to See the Lizard".
Located at 551
Parliament Street, The Menagerie is a calm oasis
in a busy downtown area. They carry everything one needs to care for and pamper
any household pet, be it furry, feathered, scaly or finned. The Menagerie has
been serving the community since the sixties and has been at its present
location since 1986.
Clients are
greeted at the door by two beautiful, engaging parrots in a large clean cage.
Past the "Greeters" and you're in the dog and cat area selling a wide
variety of foods, treats and accessories, including shoes for that pampered
pooch.It's interesting that they don't
sell dogs or cats.Ask them why and you
will like the answer.Next is the
reptile area full of many scaly and smooth creatures carefully selected to be
suitable for captivity, cared for by Liam.
Before you get to the fish room you are surrounded by
a wide assortment of healthy, lively and colorful birds chattering happily. You'll
meet Michael, their keeper, who will proudly show off his feathered friends and
answer all your questions.
Now you'll
get to the newly redesigned fish room with the sparkling black sand in the
freshwater tanks.Here you will see
something a little different; the absence of large predatory fish. Harold, the fish room manager, has been in the hobby
since 1971 and made it his chosen field in 1987.He made his
first fish sale of Black Tetras, at the age of ten which he had bred himself. The fishroom contains a large selection of fish and
corals suited to the home aquarium and sometimes you can find specimens for the
advanced hobbyist that you won't see elsewhere. The saltwater fish are
quarantined and eating before they are ready to be sold. The fishroom staff - Matt and Jewel, will cheerfully
lend their expertise on choosing a new inhabitant or advice on how to help an
ailing one.
It's always a treat to visit
The Menagerie where you just might find what you're looking for.
