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The Lily Pad Girls Lily Pad Pets is our business but to us it is so much more than that. It is our life time dream and our way of sharing it with the world.
We (Kelly & Melissa) met in 2003 both working for the same pet store in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. We hit it off instantly and have been nearly inseparable since. We both were in the beginning stages of what we call our "Reptile Addiction". I took over the care of the reptiles, birds & small animals. Melissa obtained a job a few months later at a reptile specialty store that opened across the street. This is when our passion for reptiles exploded |
We had the opportunity to work up close and personal with an amazing array of animals which included baby alligators, skunks, and venomous snakes!!
Unfortunately the store closed only a year later. Leaving us with the dream of one day being able to open a store of our own. One that could inspire that same kind of passion we have for reptiles. Little did we know that the bumps in life we were experiencing would one day lead us to being able to achieve our dreams.
Unfortunately the store closed only a year later. Leaving us with the dream of one day being able to open a store of our own. One that could inspire that same kind of passion we have for reptiles. Little did we know that the bumps in life we were experiencing would one day lead us to being able to achieve our dreams.
Brevard zoo. Petting a Sting Ray
"Prometheus"
Black Rough Neck Monitor |
Relaxing with the Kangaroos.
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In front of the Meerkats
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"Link" The Kinkajou.
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Be more! Do more!
After opening up our doors we quickly learned that we needed to be more that just your neighborhood reptile shop. We needed to use our experience and resources to help our reptile community. We started to take in rehab and adopt out reptiles.
We had a separate Facebook page and website for our rescues for a while but soon realized that this is just part of who we are and integrated it right into our business. We do not take in rescue reptiles just to "sell" them to an unsuspecting person.
We feel that knowledge is power and try to give you as much information as we can about the reptiles you are taking home. Sometimes they come from a home where the person's life has just become difficult. They feel the best thing is to have us help them find a home that can provide better care for their reptile than they can.
We believe bringing a animal home is a lifetime commitment but we also understand what it is like to hit rock bottom. To feel like you have no other choice. We don't judge and happily welcome in a healthy reptile with a history we can easily pass on to someone else.
Many times this is not the case. We often get reptiles in that are emaciated, dehydrated and in enclosures that are falling apart. With month/years of grim built up. Often reptiles are neglected. Unlike dogs and cats they can't demand your attention or to be cared for.
We are often asked why we do not report people for animal neglect. Though it breaks our hearts, we feel that people should know that they can come to us, sign an animal release form and walk away. Doing so leaves our doors open for someone to give a reptile a better chance at a happier, healthier life.
These snakes, lizards, frogs & etc did not chose be in this situation. It is our choice to provide them with the best care that we can. As we always say Lily Pad Pets is where reptiles are family!!
We had a separate Facebook page and website for our rescues for a while but soon realized that this is just part of who we are and integrated it right into our business. We do not take in rescue reptiles just to "sell" them to an unsuspecting person.
We feel that knowledge is power and try to give you as much information as we can about the reptiles you are taking home. Sometimes they come from a home where the person's life has just become difficult. They feel the best thing is to have us help them find a home that can provide better care for their reptile than they can.
We believe bringing a animal home is a lifetime commitment but we also understand what it is like to hit rock bottom. To feel like you have no other choice. We don't judge and happily welcome in a healthy reptile with a history we can easily pass on to someone else.
Many times this is not the case. We often get reptiles in that are emaciated, dehydrated and in enclosures that are falling apart. With month/years of grim built up. Often reptiles are neglected. Unlike dogs and cats they can't demand your attention or to be cared for.
We are often asked why we do not report people for animal neglect. Though it breaks our hearts, we feel that people should know that they can come to us, sign an animal release form and walk away. Doing so leaves our doors open for someone to give a reptile a better chance at a happier, healthier life.
These snakes, lizards, frogs & etc did not chose be in this situation. It is our choice to provide them with the best care that we can. As we always say Lily Pad Pets is where reptiles are family!!
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Educate and inspire!!This is at the CORE of who we are and what we do! What chance does this world have if we can not educate and inspire our youth to love and care for these creatures?!
Whether in our store or in a classroom nothing makes us happier than seeing the smiles and excitement on a child's face when they see or interact with a reptile. People fear what they don't understand! So let's teach them. Help them understand that we don't have to like something to appreciate and respect it. We celebrate the amazing differences between the different species of reptiles, amphibians, inverts and arachnids. What makes them so special and unique. Encouraging our youth to do the same. Not just with reptile, but with themselves and others. We feel working with reptiles gives us such a unique opportunity to promote acceptance. |
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