Dolphin Pet

I visited Dolphin pet numerous times to buy supplies for pet fish and even tiny aquatic frogs. It was a neighborhood pet store--small, crowded, and overflowing. But isn't that how a neighborhood pet shop should be?

The fish here seemed well-taken care of, and the staff seemed to genuinely like pets. Overall, I never had any problems getting what I wanted there, but I didn't shop for pets nor did I need many questions answered.

As a local supply shop, they had everything I ever asked for.

Dolphin Pet is kind of like this industry's McDonald's - convenient, with a lot of not-all-that-wholesome-but-we-tell-ya-that-up-front junk to satisfy the quick fix, bells & whistles crowd (puppies, kittens, other small fuzzy things that breathe...) and a definite emphasis on profit vs. education. I was told that cedar shavings would be an ideal bedding for the new guinea pig or rat or whatever I might be considering, and that an aquarium would work nicely as a cage.... Well, okay, it might not actually kill the animal outright, but the oil in cedar shavings when mixed with urine produces a toxin that significantly affects all animals, especially when a less-air-flow environment (like an aquarium) is used. Choose paper litter - even pine is better. When I asked about having "heard something like this" the sales rep told me that "well, yeah, but cedar keeps fleas and other bugs down so it's a trade off...." Okay. Yes. I suppose the convenience factor does need to be carefully weighed against the health factor at all times.... Bottom line: great place if you don't mind paying a little bit more to cover the cost of the pseudo-petting zoo and if you know your stuff before going in. Also, buy a cage twice as large as anything they'll suggest as a rat or rabbit cage...l

PROS: Convenient, Basic Supplies for Most Everything You'd Keep as a Pet
CONS: Basically, Education Offered Per Industry Standard Reply. No brain required