About
The Pet Advantage is a family-owned, locally run fish and exotic pet store in South Burlington, VT that has built a loyal following among Vermont aquarium hobbyists. While it casts a wide net across the animal world — dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and small mammals — the fish room is what keeps aquarists coming back. Reviewers consistently describe clean, well-kept tanks and "one of the most impressive selections of fish I've ever seen," and the freshwater fish for sale in South Burlington, VT come from a department that's clearly tended with real care.
What sets the place apart is the hands-on owner. One regular described saying what she was after, hearing "give me five minutes," and watching him disappear into the back room and return with exactly the right item at a price that beat the big chains nearby. That willingness to go further shows up in a remarkable story: when a stranded Canadian aquarist was denied re-entry with a fish he'd just bought, the staff cleared one of their larger tanks, boarded the fish for weeks while paperwork got sorted, and handed it back healthy at a fair price.
Beyond the aquariums, The Pet Advantage is a true one-stop shop for exotic keepers. It stocks one of the most diverse arrays of feeder insects and arthropods in the area, healthy Madagascar hissing roaches, and discounted used enclosures for hobbyists who buy secondhand. Recent visitors have brought home python snakes, bearded dragons, skinny pigs, and well-socialized rats, repeatedly praising staff who answer questions patiently and won't push gear you don't actually need — one snake owner was even told to skip a purchase she thought she needed.
For South Burlington aquarists hunting for fish near me without driving to a big-box chain, this knowledgeable, locally owned shop is worth the trip, and the owner's personal involvement gives it a character the chains simply can't match.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Pet Advantage in South Burlington, VT
The Pet Advantage stocks freshwater fish for sale in South Burlington, VT. As a fish store serving South Burlington, VT, it also offers fish boarding and aquarium consultations.
- Services
- Fish BoardingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Impressive, clean freshwater fish room praised by visiting aquarium hobbyists
- Hands-on owner who sources exactly what you need at prices that beat the big chains
- Boarded a stranded customer's fish for weeks during a cross-border emergency
- One of the most diverse selections of feeder insects, arthropods, and Madagascar hissing roaches in the area
- Discounted used enclosures alongside new aquarium and reptile supplies
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Such a unique place! Anything & everything you could wish for as any type of pet owner. Staff was super helpful and very knowledgeable.”
— Nate Mayo5.03 weeks ago“Super friendly and knowledgable team!”
— Nik Weinmeister5.0a month ago“they sell sick bunnies and pretend they’re unaware of their illness. Beware of buying animals from this buiness. You will end up spending more on vet bills than the actual animal itself. It’s so sad they continue to breed and sell sick bunnies😞we were told “the boss thought the bunny had a respiratory infection but decided it didn’t” but he was clearly unhealthy and could not breathe properly but once again we were lied to and told “we’ve never heard a bunny make these noises before, he’s special!” we brought him to the vet a couple of days after since we were concerned about his health and we were told he had a chronic respiratory illness. Owners are sick for supporting unethical breeding. Bunny was most likely born sick 😓😖. their stuff is also over priced. Expect sick untreated animals and expensive prices.”
— Iris Cobb1.0Edited a month ago“Tyvm for the help on sunday”
— Wanderlustreaper X5.0a month ago“Very knowledgeable and friendly. They care about the animals they sell. The two rats I purchased were already socialized to ppl and so sweet.”
— Britney5.0a month ago“Staff (both human and animal- they have a dog and cat!) are very friendly and knowledgeable.”
— Meaghan McGuinness5.0a month ago“I had a great experience shopping at Pet Advantage yesterday! brought home two male Skinny Pigs, and they were free with the purchase of the "Guinea Pig Full Set Up Kit" (or whatever it was called) and 1. that kit was a GREAT deal, it had everything these handsome boys could need; food, hay, toys, treats, bedding, essential cage accessories like a bowl, water bottle and manger. It was a bargain. And also these two sweet Skinnies are not only adorable, they are healthy and well socialized. For anyone wondering; their names are Sugar and Spice and they are settling into their new home very well. Oh! Also, the staff treated me with respect and patience throughout the entire process, even when it was a real pain in the A to fit the new cage set up in the car (which they helped with so graciously and politely) I cannot recommend shopping at Pet Advantage enough.”
— Sage Bettis5.0a month ago“We bought a bunny years ago and come back regularly for supplies and nail clippings. But we recently came back for a python snake for my daughter. This has been, hands down, the best experience ever. Don't go anywhere else. Really. I'm not kidding.”
— Andrew Whyte5.02 months ago“Top notch locally owned exotic pet and fish store. Always a positive atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. I always learn something when I walk in and their prices generally beat big chains nearby”
— Kelly Shortsleeve5.03 months ago“We had a wonderful experience at Pet Advantage today. The person who helped us was knowledgeable, patient, and clearly wasn't trying to "upsell" (even said we didn't need to buy something we thought we did). We are new snake owners and will certainly be visiting the store again for future supplies.”
— Kate McKernan5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (802) 860-1714 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Pet Advantage.