Jungle of Joys Pet Shop

Jungle of Joys Pet Shop is a family-run operation in Kirksville, Missouri, that has built a loyal following by offering an eclectic mix of animals and genuinely personal service. Owner JoAnn and her team are the kind of people who will spend time walking you through terrarium builds, freshwater fish care, or the dietary needs of a bearded dragon—and if they don't know the answer immediately, they'll track it down. Multiple reviewers single out that hands-on expertise as the store's defining trait, something no big-box retailer can replicate.

The shop is compact, but don't let the square footage fool you. Fish tanks dominate much of the space—lots of freshwater species, enough to draw hobbyists from as far as Ottumwa, Iowa. One customer drove specifically for fish they couldn't find closer to home and reported every one thriving after the trip.

Shrimp have also been spotted in the inventory, alongside a rotating cast of reptiles, hand-raised cockatiels, spiders, and occasionally truly unexpected arrivals like macaws and goats. The store leans into its "jungle" name with a willingness to stock uncommon and exotic animals that keep regulars coming back just to see what's new. Pricing is consistently called reasonable, and Truman State University students will appreciate a 10% discount.

Supplies for freshwater tanks and reptile enclosures line the shelves alongside feeder rats, crickets, and mice. The shop also offers grooming services for dogs—at least one reviewer reported a satisfactory haircut. A few reviewers have noted strong odors inside, and one raised concerns about reptile enclosure cleanliness, so the experience isn't universally spotless.

But the overwhelming majority of the 215 reviews paint a picture of a store where the owners genuinely care about animal welfare and customer education. JoAnn's willingness to help assemble a child's birthday terrarium or advise on specialized freshwater setups reflects the kind of community-rooted pet shop that earns repeat visits through trust, not marketing.