When I drove into Sylvia’s Pets’ parking lot, I was greeted by a sign proclaiming “cute puppies, bunnies, live rock ball python, cockatoo.” And the sign did not lie, especially about the cute puppies.
Walking into the store itself, I was welcomed by the musical chirps of birds and an occasional bark from the back. Located at 226 University Blvd., the store may be small, but it does not lack in a variety of animals or extremely friendly staff. A lot of the animals they have are not allowed in on-campus residences, but buying an animal is not the highlight of visiting Sylvia’s Pets.
In contrast to most pet stores, Sylvia’s allows you to play with and pet the puppies they have, whether you are planning on buying them or not, as long as you do not interfere with someone who is actually planning to buy a puppy — after all, the main goal is to find the puppies loving homes.
Customers are allowed to interact with the puppies because it is good socialization for them. The only rule for handling puppies is that you have to be 18 or older, for legal reasons. But if you have a younger sibling or friend who is underage, don’t worry. People under 18 can interact with the puppies as long as they are under the supervision of someone old enough.
I played with a hound mix puppy inside a small white-picket-fence enclosure inside the store. The puppy, who enjoyed playing tug-of-war and running around me in circles, was one of three siblings there. Before I got to play with a puppy, I could see all three wrestling with each other and tripping on ears — both their own and their siblings’ — through the clear front of their cages. I highly recommend going to visit the puppies to de-stress, especially around exam times. Even just watching them is de-stressing.
If you plan on going to Sylvia’s to pet/play with puppies, however, be aware that you may need to come back on another day. Occasionally they run out of puppies, in between selling out of them and getting more in, but they typically have more within a week’s time. Additionally, if the puppies have had a long day or are sleeping, you — understandably — may not be allowed to take them out.
The breeds Sylvia’s gets in changes constantly, from Shih Tzu/Jack Russell Terrier mixes to Golden Retrievers. They have puppies from local, reputable breeders and list the name of the breeder with other information about the puppies, such as their date of birth, above the puppies’ cages.
For those who are not fans of puppies, Sylvia’s has many other — albeit less interactive — creatures. There are rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, baby hamsters, parakeets, cockatoos, a medium-sized white bird that talks, snakes, toads, frogs, bearded dragons, skinks, geckos, turtles, and hermit crabs. I personally suggest looking at the baby hamsters, which are tiny, adorable, and furry. If you’re looking for a college-friendly pet, they also have a large variety of fish, including betta fish. They have previously also had cats or kittens, but have not had them in recently.
Besides selling animals, for those who already have pets, Sylvia’s offers boarding for dogs, small animals, and reptiles; aquarium and pond water testing; wing and talon trimming for birds; and grooming. They are open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Go visit one day and let the de-stressing begin!
