Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Enders.
Hi Christopher, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Founded on the belief that the best way to protect exotic animals is to stop poor husbandry before it starts, the store was created as an immersive, experience-based learning environment. Here, guests of all ages can engage with exotic creatures firsthand, ask questions, and discover the commitment required to properly care for them—long before bringing one home.
The vision behind Critters, Reptiles & Exotics belongs to Christopher R. Enders, a lifelong animal lover who, at 34 years old, finally decided to turn his passion into a purpose. What started as an idea for a YouTube channel on exotic animal care quickly evolved into something deeper when Christopher rescued Luigi—a severely malnourished bearded dragon suffering from blindness and metabolic bone disease (MBD). That moment became the spark for everything that followed.
The next year, Christopher began offering exotic pet sitting services, his first client being an African Grey Parrot with neurological issues caused by MBD and a lifetime of improper care. Realizing the parrot would receive better care with Christopher and his family, the owners relinquished the bird. Unfortunately, the parrot eventually passed away—well before her prime—but her story only solidified Christopher’s drive to make a difference.
In the months that followed, he rescued two red-footed tortoises with MBD and respiratory problems, along with an Asian forest scorpion and a leopard gecko—each one a new chapter in his growing commitment to exotic animal welfare.
While the idea of starting a rescue organization was a natural next step, Christopher realized that most of these heartbreaking situations could be prevented through proper education up-front. Rather than starting a “reactive” exotic pet rescue, he chose to create a proactive solution: a pet store built around hands-on learning, guidance, and compassionate care.
Now, less the one year since they first opened their doors, Critters, Reptiles & Exotics has quickly grown to be one of the go-to resources for those looking to purchase their first exotic pet—and do it correctly. Customers have come from as far away as three hours, to learn from the experienced team and seek guidance on proper animal husbandry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing is ever truly smooth, though the “fear” of the bumps and potholes has been proven to be greater than the actual bumps and potholes along the way.
I remember the uncertainty of if the store would be welcomed by the community, or if I was investing my life savings into a pipe-dream. And early on, there were weeks where I wondered if I would be able to make payroll for my staff, or pay the rent. But to see where we have come in only 9-months, I am humbled each day that those who love animals choose to shop here, knowing that they will be given all the right information for their animal.
To date myself a bit with an older reference that the younger audience wouldn’t understand—”If you build it, they will come!”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Critters, Reptiles & Exotics?
We are an “experience-based” exotic pet store. When you walk in the door here, your senses are taken hold of with a visual design not commonly seen in pet-stores. the vine and leaf covered ceiling makes you immediately feel as if you’re walking under a jungle canopy. Every area has ambient sound effects playing, reflective of those types of animal’s natural habitat. You find yourself immersed, and immediately you want to experience more. That is how we help customers slow-down, and learn more about the animals before they take them home.
One of the things we do here that sets us apart is our free, on-site, tank set up for your pet. New exotic owners struggle with setting up appropriate enclosures for their animals, and the so-called “Kits” on the market lack many of the required items needed to keep the animals happy and healthy. During our first Christmas season, we started building kits for Geckos and other small lizards, as a way to ensure the animal was going home the correct items for their needs. After a few customer interactions, we realized that explaining—to many people who have never so much as held a reptile—how each item should be setup, that it would be easier to simply do it for them.
We began building the kits with the customers, on-site as a collaborative experience. Walking them through the setup while explaining why each component is needed. This hands-on approach to teaching people proper husbandry gained so much recognition online, not just because of the aesthetics of the tank when they’re done, but because of the overall care taken to help the customer and the animal!
In just 6-months we have expanded this service to not only before geckos and small lizards, but can help you do this with any animal you may want to take home.
What were you like growing up?
Outgoing… to say the least, but due to childhood asthma, I didn’t get to participate in sport or other activities that the other kids were interested in. Instead, I spent most of my time indoors, watching Steve Irwin on TV, or reading animal facts from books and so on. My interest in animals stuck with me my whole life, though I never made the connection between that interest, and career paths, until my mid-thirties.
I new I wanted to work for myself, but struggled to think of a career that could grow and provide for my family. No matter what I “thought” I wanted to do, the interest would fade away, and somehow I would find myself gravitating back to animals.
My father in-law saw this, and made the connection and when a “happenstance” type conversation came up, he jumped on-board with the idea of me opening a pet store, and offered to be an investor. Now, Critters, Reptiles & Exotics is here, and is giving children—who like me may not have many friends or ways to connect with those with similar interests—a place that they can explore their love for animals, and find new friends with similar interests. They might find themselves having their Birthday Party on-site in our events room, or participating in our weekly afterschool program called “Jr. Zookeepers.” No matter what, they get to experience something that I wished I could’ve as a young animal lover!
Pricing:
- Birthday Packages from $300-$400
- Jr. Zookeeper Classes – $30/wk
- 10% off Enclosure Kits w/ animal purchase
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Crepets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crepetstore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CREPetStore
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrittersReptilesExotics
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@crepetstore
