The Bug Guy’s Pets & Exotics
- The Bug Guys Pets and Exotics is focused on reptiles, birds and other exotic pets and can be found in their new home at Lake Country Pet. Stuart Brown is a self taught entomology and herpetology specialist and breeder. He started The Bug Guys in 2009 giving educational presentations about bugs and reptiles to museums, nature centers, schools as well as private birthday parties with hands on experiences with live animals. Desirée Pat joined the team in 2017 with her personal menagerie and Zoology Degree from the University of Guelph. Together they strive to improve the quality of captive bred animals and their care in captivity.
Lake Country Pet
- The former Lake Country Farm and Pet Supply has been a part of Winfield’s history for over 35 years. Originating from selling shovels and farm feed from a Winfield resident’s garage, it has since flourished into the go-to store for pet lovers of all kinds. Recent new ownership in 2019 has lovingly re-branded the store as simply Lake Country Pet, still selling farm feed along side your favorite dog and cat food brands. The new management, not only bringing their knowledge of animal care and nutrition to the store, have also opened the door to the Okanagan’s only reptile and bird specialty store! With all the changes there is still the comfort of familiarity at Lake Country Pet and of course you will still be able to come visit Maxine, Lake Country’s beloved Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot who has wowed children and adults alike for over thirty years.
- Store History (If you have specific dates, details or photos to contribute please contact us! )
- 1st Owners Rolly Hein (Mayor 1999-2005) and Sharron Hein (Rolly's Castle?) started the store in the early 1980's (specific date currently unknown) in their home garage selling farm animal feed and supplies like shovels and buckets. They then leased the current location which encompassed both unit 19 and 17, including the basements.
-2nd Owners Mike and Sandra took over the store in (1987/1988?) with Ray Rejc as manager. They added fish and aquarium supplies and brought larger selections of items from companies like Unifeed and Chowtown, also Total Pet which used to be a distribution centre. They added Maxine to the family (Date of birth approximately June 2nd, 1990? according to Trilake Veterinary office, likely earlier).
-3rd Owner Kathy took over in (1990/1991?) and brought more exotic animals to the store including tarantulas and large snakes.
-4th Owners Joe and Debbie Pryor took over in (1995?). Joe was the face of the store for many years, becoming great friends with Maxine and many other exotic birds that came through their store. Joe was known for his extensive animal nutrition knowledge and passion for birds. They adopted out many puppies and kittens to the community and were well known as Lake Country's all in one pet shop. Tilly, the bronze wing pionus, joined the family in 2007 and retired to home life along with Deb and Joe.
-5th Owners Stuart Brown and Desirée Pat took over November 29th 2019. Stuart, founder of The Bug Guys (2010), brought his small breeding projects and educational presentations focusing on exotic pet care and nutrition. Desirée, BScH Maj. Zoology, brought her experience in animal nutrition, exotic animal husbandry and enrichment. Together gave Lake Country Pet a modern look and brought it to social media, giving it a greater online presence, as well as bringing back exotic pets, especially reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, from Canadian Captive Breeders.
We look forward to seeing what the future holds! Thank you for supporting small local businesses!