About
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.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned shop with hands-on owner JoAnn known for personalized animal care advice
- Large freshwater fish selection that draws hobbyists from out of state
- Rotating inventory of exotic and uncommon pets including macaws, cockatiels, and reptiles
- 10% student discount
- Hand-raised cockatiels bred for friendliness
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Definitely worth a visit! Drove from Ottumwa to pick up some fish I wanted, there all doing great! Loved the staff and for a little shop they had quite a bit!”
— Ashley Paige5.0a month ago“Great prices”
— Dave Wallace5.02 months ago“The smell is very pungent”
— Becky Conn3.03 months ago“This place smelled like ammonia as soon as I walked in. There was mold all over the ceiling. The reptile care was outrageous, I saw a dead beetle in a SNAKES enclosure with algae in the bowl. Not to mention the “leapord gecko” enclosure in the photo below! I wanted to get shrimp, but after seeing that, I won’t step foot in there or encourage anyone to go there.”
— Cadence Frederick1.03 months ago“Wonderful little pet store run by a very sweet couple! The pets are well cared for and they run the place with love ❤️ highly recommend if you're an aquarium hobbyist or bird/reptile keeper.”
— Conner H5.05 months ago“My ball python loves the feeder rats that they sell.”
— David Frey5.07 months ago“Staff is very friendly and make you feel like family clean mom and pop pet shop staff is very knowledgeable about the pets they have”
— matthew Roberson5.010 months ago“Great prices good local people”
— Jennifer Cornelison5.011 months ago“Great service and expertise. Wonderful owners. Very knowledgeable”
— Rachel Lasher5.0Edited a year ago“Great place to go for your pet needs. The owner definitely cares about the pets they are selling and will go above and beyond to find or help you get what your looking for.”
— Megin Ziebarth5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (660) 665-7701 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Jungle of Joys Pet Shop.