Home Grown Pets - Marion, Iowa

Andrea E.

Smelled horrible the second you walked in the door. Fairy minimal care given to most of the animals sold here.
Some of the fish tanks have obviously not been cleaned and far too long and a few of the mammals did not have water or any type of small enrichment. Almost every animal I saw was completely non-active. I will not be buying from the shop or ever visiting again.

Sulea H.

These guys are amazing. We got our baby Nimbus there and she is absolutely amazing and so tame! If youre looking for a well loved hand raised baby bird this is the spot ♡♡♡

Bill

I hope the owners are reading this and I hope they act on it before it's too late. I had been into the store on a number of occasions after it opened and really enjoyed it. Last week I went in in the afternoon for the first time in probably a year. The smell is absolutely disgusting. It also seems like they only have a fraction of merchandise compared to how it used to be. But let's forget housekeeping for a second. You'll remember it when you walk in. I saw one employee, and she was behind the counter. I wasn't greeted when I came in, but she was answering a question for someone else so that's okay. I wanted to see ball pythons. Instead of using a substrate, they use essentially what's like an imitation Turf that lays on the bottom of the enclosure. It's loose, so the snakes can go under it and no one can see them. That's fine. There was a customer at the counter purchasing something from the employee so I waited. Two other groups of customers came in during this time. Then I realized there was a guy working there who had been in back. When he emerged, I was temporarily relieved because I thought finally I was going to get to see what I came in there to hopefully purchase. There was a couple in there who were looking around every corner for help. The guy who was in back was walking around some new aquariums and talking on his cell phone. He did not look at or acknowledge any of the four groups of customers in the store. Half of the customers needed help and one of the two employees was helping the third of four customers. That guy needed to get off the phone and help the people who were in there to keep this business alive. Despite unassisted customers being in the store, he stayed on the phone and walked into the back room and ignored everyone.

I was there because I like buying from locally owned businesses. I don't like the big corporate chain stores and I thought this would be a viable alternative. So disappointing. I said something to the nice lady behind the counter and it showed her it wasn't her fault but I did point out that her co-worker was ignoring all of the customers.

I know this is the part of the story where somebody is going to say it's too bad because I went and spent 80 gazillion dollars somewhere else, but that's not the point of this. Every customer in that store was a potential sale. You have to care about the customers. I know I won't be going back to the store and I will recommend that others avoid it. Pets playhouse on the Westside is extremely helpful, they have far more selection, and you will never be in that store and wonder whether they value your patronage.

Very disappointing, homegrown pets.

Ashley H.

Very very very disappointed! Tuesday brought two cockatiels home. Got told one was a male and one was a female and was not true at all after we got home my father and grandma that raised them for years said they were both males. They both were very loving the night we got them and next morning. The second night of having them the one became very aggressive and the other very skid-dish, I called down to homegrown pets since I live 40 minutes away and I asked brandy what I could do and that I was getting them more toys and treats to try and make them happy, she told me to send her pictures and videos of what I was talking about so I did so, she then told me in the message shown. That it did show signs of aggression and they could take one back it did take me a few days because I fell in love with both of them that’s why I got them both and because she told me they were male and female. Today I called her before I went to Marion with the bird so I didn’t have to take him out into the cold for no reason and she yet again told me to bring him in. I got there and she says well all sales are final and I can give you a discount on a bird cage. WHAT!? when we bought these birds there was no disclosure on them. She did not once tell me that over the phone when I called her 3 times about them that all sales were final. This place is a joke do not go there! I am so disappointed in the service we got all of those animals in there deserve so much better this place needs to be boycotted by all means!

Spencer D.

We got our bearded dragon here about 6 months ago. Staff are super cool and very knowledgeable. This is also where I go to get bugs... dubia roaches specifically. I've went to a few other pet stores at different times for roaches and I'll never do that again lol. Homegrown pets definitely has the best prices and the healthiest bugs for your reptile(s). They also allow you to buy in bulk. At other pet stores, 10 medium dubia roaches may be close to $10 and two of them will be dead, etc in the container... At homegrown pets I can get 100 roaches for $35. Just a great store for buying your pet and for getting food for them after the fact.

Haley P.

This place is AWESOME—and refreshing to visit if you’re used to a big chain pet store. I have been researching and shopping for tarantulas for my daughter for a little while. I visited several pet stores in the area and none of them had knowledge about spiders. Even worse, they weren’t even properly keeping them, as is pretty common with places like that.

Anyway, I decided to check out Home Grown Pets. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the man at the counter owned tarantulas and that he had a lot of experience and knowledge. He was able to answer every question I had and I decided to purchase one right then and there. The way they are kept here in comparison to other places is WORLDS better. The spiders are kept in the right type of enclosure and are fed a variety of things. The price was reasonable and far less than other places I shopped. They sent me with a tank and everything in it for a great bundle price and we are LOVING having this pet so far—I see more in our future.

Thanks for the great experience! I wish more places were ethical and knowledgeable like the folks are at Home Grown Pets.

LaTonja W.

This place is amazing!! I go here when I need items for my rabbits. They have top of the line product and are very knowledgeable. Not only have I brought products from this place but I also brought all 4 of my rabbits from this place as well. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have my lovely animals

Jennifer M.

I really enjoyed my first visit to homegrown pets. They have a variety of small pets including birds , reptiles, ferrets and guinea pigs. They also had some fish. It is a rather large warehouse style setup. And they had a couple of birds who run free in the area. The staff was a very helpful. They did not have exactly what I was looking for but they were able to suggest a suitable alternative. The prices are reasonable and I will definitely be visiting again.