About
Brooklyn Zoo & Aquarium Pet Store on the streets of Brooklyn, New York, is a long-established neighborhood shop that carries fish, reptiles, birds, and a wide range of pet supplies. It's a true general pet store in the classic New York sense — a place where you walk in for fish and leave having chatted with staff about bearded dragons, cat grooming, and dog care all in one visit. The store has been open for many years under various ownership, and longtime customers remember founders Pete and Deb for their deep animal knowledge and fair pricing.
Staff members like Mike, Ilana, and Nathaniel earn genuine praise from regulars. Ilana in particular is singled out repeatedly for her encyclopedic knowledge of animals and supplies — multiple reviewers credit her as the backbone of the operation. Nathaniel has a reputation for going above and beyond with reptile care advice, putting anxious pet owners at ease about their bearded dragons.
On the freshwater fish side, Brooklyn Zoo stocks a selection of aquarium fish, though it's worth noting this is a general pet retailer rather than a dedicated aquatics shop. The store also offers grooming services — Jose is frequently praised as a skilled and friendly dog groomer, and they handle cat grooming as well. The atmosphere is family-oriented, and the shop prides itself on being accessible and not overpriced, though recent ownership changes have generated some friction among longtime patrons.
Some customers report inconsistent pricing and customer service depending on who's working. Fish buyers should be prepared to ask questions and inspect stock carefully. What keeps people coming back is the personal touch from dedicated staff members who genuinely care about animal welfare.
If you're in Brooklyn and need pet supplies, grooming, or want to browse their fish and reptile selection, it's worth stopping in — especially if Ilana or Nathaniel are on the floor. The store's longevity in a competitive New York market speaks to a loyal customer base that values the relationships built here over the years.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Long-established Brooklyn pet store with fish, reptiles, and birds
- Staff members Ilana and Nathaniel praised for exceptional animal knowledge
- Dog and cat grooming services with groomer Jose earning repeat customers
- Family-oriented atmosphere with decades of community presence
- Freshwater fish selection alongside reptiles and small animals
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place & great service! Mike is awesome! They care about customers here and are very engaging, knowledgable, experienced & efficient!”
— Bklynpal5.02 months ago“This store is the worse. The customer service sucks and my fish died within a week after I got them”
— Melissa Thomas1.04 months ago“Brooklyn zoo is very accommodating. They help you in any way they can. Brought my cat in for a grooming and did a great job. Highly recommend. Not overpriced either”
— Fran kaufman5.05 months ago“Nathaniel was amazing so helpful and kind and made me feel better about my concern with my bearded dragon”
— KrysD 15.05 months ago“This is a very family-oriented pet store. They have everything. It's been open for many years. Pete and Deb are very knowledgeable people. They are economical and they really care about animals. I would recommend this business to anyone with a pet that they love.”
— Anthony Dagostino5.0Edited 7 months ago“Jose is good, he is always friendly, happy and great with my dog best groomer ever. He is the only groomer that knows what he is doing. Ilana is beyond great, this store is nothing without her and her knowledge. The original store owner sold to his sister and she is clueless as to her own business, she can't keep staff or treat them with respect. She can't answer any questions whether it's about an animal or supplies. The new store owner very rude, unprofessional, she thinks everyone is a fool she makes prices up as she goes along she's ripping people off. Completely clueless, she cannot run the business. Ilana runs the show there, her knowledge is amazing and impeccable. You need anything ask Ilana she is honest and sincere. I AM GIVING 5 STARS ONLY BECAUSE OF ILANA otherwise it doesn't deserve not one star. WITHOUT ILANA THIS STORE IS NOTHING, the owner might as well close the store permanently. Sweety, if Peter was the owner he would be there, the store would not be a mess. He is friendly and professional. Surely your upset because facts are facts. Don't get offended, I was a customer that dealt with you and endured how YOU overpriced me and how rude you are. How you handled the situation was extremely unprofessional. You surely have an attitude, poor customer service and your not a people person. I feel bad for those employees. Here is a fact everyone has a right to post their opinion but as the owner your responding with rudeness, arrogance and unprofessionalism. It is my right and personal opinion nothing personal. You just proved my point with your response.”
— My Life5.0Edited 8 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (718) 251-7389 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Brooklyn Zoo & Aquarium Pet Store.