About
A Pet's Tale in Chester, VA is one of those small, character-filled shops that resists easy labeling. Google lists it as a pet store rather than a dedicated fish store, and that's fair — the heart of this place is exotic pets, animal supplies, and a genuine 501(c)(3) rescue, run largely by owner Kirstin with a devoted crew of volunteers. Aquarium hobbyists won't find a wall of reef tanks here, but anyone in the Chester area who loves reptiles, birds, and small mammals will feel right at home.
Reviewers return again and again for Kirstin's hands-on knowledge. Customers describe getting a snake and a bearded dragon from her, assembling complete chameleon setups, and taking home healthy baby crested geckos and leopard geckos. Fancy rats are a specialty — families talk about meeting the parents of their rats in the back room before choosing their babies, a personal touch the big-box stores can't match.
The bird side has its own following, from budgies and parrots to rescued birds like Angel, and the shop is widely called the only trusted spot around Chester for live feeders for sale, including live rats for snake keepers. What truly sets it apart is the rescue mission. Birds, reptiles, rodents, and small exotics needing second homes are taken in, carefully screened, and placed with new families, and Kirstin runs fun educational classes that teach kids how to handle different animals.
Regulars stop by weekly just to say hi to store characters like VooDoo, Pasta, Pickle, Pepper, and Eddie. The atmosphere is warm and a little busy — one volunteer describes Kirstin as constantly moving, feeding animals, cleaning, and helping customers all at once. A few visitors have mentioned smells or tidiness on hectic days, which comes with a building full of living animals, but the overwhelming sentiment is affection for a hardworking local shop.
For Chester, VA residents who want exotic pets, supplies, and rescue adoptions with a personal touch, A Pet's Tale offers something no chain store can.
What they offer
Aquarium services at A Pet's Tale in Chester, VA
As a fish store serving Chester, VA, A Pet's Tale offers aquarium consultations.
- Services
Highlights
What makes them special
- 501(c)(3) exotic animal rescue and adoption for reptiles, birds, rodents, and small mammals
- Owner Kirstin praised for patient, knowledgeable guidance and hands-on educational classes
- Trusted local source for live feeders, including live rats for snake keepers
- Reptiles and complete setups available — snakes, bearded dragons, chameleons, crested and leopard geckos
- Fancy rats with the chance to meet the parent animals before adopting
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Absolutely love this establishment!! Very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I visit as much as I possibly can!”
— Angela Anstead5.0a month ago“Kirstin and her store is one of the best places to go in Chester for all your pet needs. Support a small business and explore all the amazing things her store has to offer. She does a lot for the community and her love and passion for animals of all kinds really shows. You won’t regret stopping in her shop for all your pet needs!”
— Sierra Mullins5.0a month ago“I drove with my 10-year-old son through 35 minutes of rush hour traffic to discuss a pet we were interested in adopting and arrived at 5:35 p.m. on a Tuesday. The store was closed with no notice explaining why they decided to close early. Understanding. It's a small business, it's unfortunate they don't have a phone number posted on their website so we could have avoided this situation. Needless to say, I have a very disappointed boy driving home with me because of the uncommunicated early closure...”
— Steven Doda1.02 months ago“Really cool rescue/pet store, owner was awesome. VooDoo is that dude, give him a treat!”
— Ty5.02 months ago“My family has been going to Pets Tale for a little over 8 months now. When we first went there we were looking pet Rats as the ones from Petsmart weren’t high quality. Kirsten (the owner) gladly showed us all her rats, took time to explain things that we didn’t know, was super helpful in all ways and had a smile on her face. After a while I actually got my snake and bearded dragon from Kirsten and it was the best decision I ever made. Even after having them a while I still go in there with questions, concerns or needing something for them. We still currently go in there on a weekly basis to say hi and see what cool animals she has rescued. We always enjoy seeing the regular faces of Pasta, Pickle, Pepper, Eddie and Voodoo. My family will continue to support and love Pets Tale in Chester always!”
— Sky Cope Josephs5.02 months ago“Love coming here to chit chat & its the only place around chester that I trust to get live rats for my snake. Plenty of adoptable animals and trinkets to meander around to look at :D”
— Christopher Wells5.02 months ago“I feel like I need to speak up after seeing a recent review about A Pet’s Tale, because it honestly doesn’t reflect the reality of what goes on there. The owner is one of the most hardworking, kind, and dedicated people I’ve seen in a small business. She is constantly moving—feeding animals, cleaning, helping customers, answering questions, and making sure every single animal is cared for properly. It’s not just a “shop” to her, it’s a full-time commitment to the animals and the people who come in. I volunteer there when I can, and I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming it can get—especially since it’s largely run by one person and relies heavily on volunteers to keep things running smoothly. Despite that, she still goes out of her way to be helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable with everyone who walks in. To Jamie Vargas, who said the shop “smells,” is “rarely cleaned,” and that she was treated like an inconvenience—this just doesn’t line up with what actually happens there. When you have a store full of animals, there will naturally be smells at times, but that comes with the territory of caring for living creatures—not neglect. And calling someone rude when they’re juggling multiple responsibilities at once isn’t fair. If you were only there for an hour or less, you didn’t see the full picture. This is a fast-paced, demanding environment, and unless you’ve actually put in the time working or volunteering, it’s easy to misunderstand what’s really going on. Honestly, if you think you could do a better job running a busy animal shop, caring for dozens of animals, and helping customers all at the same time—then you’re more than welcome to step in and try it yourself. This feels like a harsh review made without real understanding of the work behind the scenes. The owner deserves recognition for everything she does, not criticism from someone who barely experienced the place. A Pet’s Tale is run with care, effort, and heart—and that’s something worth supporting.”
— Travis Josephs5.02 months ago“Kristin is so knowledgeable and friendly! And what a special place this is to not only get so many unique pet items at great prices but there’s so much to explore and learn! 🙂”
— Jenny Gonzalez5.02 months ago“I’ve been to A Pets Tale many, many times, and every experience has been amazing. Kirsten truly puts her whole heart into this rescue, and it shows in everything she does. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to answer questions without making you feel rushed. It’s clear that her top priority is the well-being of the animals, and she treats each one with genuine care and compassion. What stands out most is how deeply she cares for every animal—they aren’t just rescued, they’re truly nurtured and given the attention they need to thrive. With the help of her dedicated volunteers, she works hard to make sure each animal is placed in the right home. On top of that, the prices for used items can’t be beat, making it even easier to support such an incredible rescue. I would absolutely recommend A Pets Tale to anyone looking to adopt or support a great cause. It is truly an amazing experience!”
— Malory Nicole5.02 months ago“We have adopted 4 animals from this rescue. It's amazing to have somewhere local that accepts small/ exotic animals. I'm glad pets have a place to go instead of being released into the wild. The owner takes time with my kids and is patient and teaches them how to care for different animals. She does educational classes that are fun.”
— Lorraine Cameron5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (804) 372-7645 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting A Pet's Tale.