I did something I swore I wouldn't do.. buy an animal at a shop! my impression was the store looked clean and animals healthy but first impressions don't always tell the full truth of course. we had just lost our cat not long before and I was at the Meriden mall Xmas shopping and was drawn into the store . saw the most gorgeous kitty and she just curled up in my arms purring so I knew that she at least had some socialization and was used to people. the owner said to me, she will be the best cat you've ever had! I had no intention on spending money like that on a cat but... and she HAS turned out to be the sweetest most loving cat . read more

I came in here the other day. They had a couple of Boston terriers and noticed one of them eating their poop. So sad and it smells disgusting. Go to all pets club or adopt. read more

Tonight I purchased a mini-lop from this establishment. When I arrived at about 5pm, the store was packed with customers, hence being "Black Friday"... Despite the chaos of children squealing as they held their new pets, customers asking a million questions, and the line at the register, a woman named Shannon approached me with a smile and helped me with my purchase of a rabbit. She assisted me with my cage choice, food, and answered any questions I had. She was patient and knowledgeable. Although my car was in "no man's land", very far from our location, Shannon didn't hesitate in helping me to my car. She lugged the cage through the mall, pleasant and upbeat. She waited in the cold outside for me to locate, then drive my car up to pick up my new family member. Shannon deserves acknowledgement from management. She went above and beyond today and this establishment is lucky to have such a sweet, patient, and knowledgeable woman working for them. read more

Gentle Jungle - This little cutie came home with me today. I've raised rabbits and was very pleased with the cleanliness of the bunny I purchased. - Pet Stores Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Great Place For Buy A Puppy Amazing Staff , I Buy My Mini Schnauzer My Baby Sebastian I Drive 3 hrs 1/2 From New Hampshire and I tell you people I Have a Great Experience, My Dog It's Healthy After Years Been Searching For My Baby Finally in Gentle Jungle Find My Baby Boy. The Owner Great Person, 100 % Percent Recommended.. You Need A Puppy Or Other Pet this it's the right place people. Thank you Gentle Jungle Great Job... Sebastian It's Super Happy And I'm Super Happy. read more

So glad this place is finally closed and Connecticut has one less place to sell puppy mill puppies. Those dogs had barely enough room to turn around in their cages and I can't imagine the health problems they must have had. read more

We constantly visit Gentle Jungle to play with puppies. Although always tempting, I dont usually buy one. Except a few years when we bought our Maltese Bichon mix. He was older and discounted due to his age. That didn't stop us and I'm glad. He is the best dog I've ever been around. A true lap dog and is amazing with my little daughter. The Gentle Jungle was very helpful and informative about what he needs and his shots. The dogs in there don't smell the best. They need to clean them or cages better to help the animals. I'm sure it bothers the animals too. That is a downside but most of the puppies we see are always chipper. We havent played with a bad tempered dog yet. The prices of the dog accessories are really expensive. So id recommend to buy the dog or other pet and not the accessories (unless you need it to leave). I decided to buy a bunch of accessories when buying my dog and regretted it when visiting some bigger box stores later that night. I'd buy a pet from this place again but will probably pass on any supplies they offer. read more

Absolutely amazing! I can't thank the employees enough for all that they do. Extremely happy with my experience. Store is amazingly well kept. I can't tell you how impressed I was with everyone who worked there. They are all extremely compassionate and take amazing care of all the animals. Highly recommend! Thank you all for working with me! I am so happy and in love with my kitten read more

Gentle Jungle - Pet Stores Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

This place DOES NOT DESERVE A STAR. But to write a review, had to give one. First time visiting The Westfield Meriden mall and came across this pet store called Gentle Jungle. This place is DISGUSTING. Either they need to hire workers who are suppose to do their jobs working at a pet store or the owner of this pet store doesnt give a rats ass about any of the pets & store besides money. The puppies in their cages were dirty, sleeping in their own feces, cages were not cleaned and the dogs looked miserable. I consider that animal cruelty. I dont agree with pet stores selling pets but this was just unacceptable. I read reviews about this place selling sick pets, lying about a pets vet history and such. Its really sad. They need to be inspected/investigated/closed down. Breaks my heart & very upsetting read more

Gentle Jungle - Store front - Pet Stores Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Two days ago I came here for a new puppy and I couldn't be more pleased with my service! The store was very well kept and the puppies looked very happy and healthy. Beccy helped me adopt Kota. She was well-versed about all the breeds, the personalities of the current pups, all the supplies I needed, and all the training information I could've ever asked for! Thanks to her I have a stellar new baby, and thanks to the shop I can't wait to return again. I wrote a review on google as well. I noticed many bad reviews before I came here. I say give this place a try before you opt out completely. I will post an update about Dakota's health, but as far as I've seen he is the healthiest puppy I've adopted yet! They may have made some changes to their contracts on adoption. Once I reviewed it, they followed all of the Connecticut legal guidelines, including compensation for a sick puppy. My apologizes to those with a bad experience, I personally thought it was wonderful compared to many other locations. Ask for Beccy if you give it a visit, she's wonderful. read more

Came in today to see if they had kittens and/or ferrets. The store was decently clean for a place run by teenagers and filled with animals. They had 1 kitten and told us the price would be $300.00. Are you kidding?! Adoption costs a fraction of the price and they give all those cats/kittens the same spay/neuter and shots that they give at this pet store. They had zero ferrets, the girl I asked said they go fast and they are $200.00. What?! In my experience, most places do ferrets between $100.00-$150.00. She said it's because they come de-scented and with shots, but any ferret comes with that. Also, rescue ferrets come with the small adoption fee, not $200.00! This pet store is way over priced! No thank you! read more

See all

Inhumane, is really all I have to say. Absolutely shameful, disgusting, and inhumane. If you care at all about animal abuse, please do not give this place your money, and allow it to go out of business so they can't be responsible for the care of animals anymore. My friends young bunny that she purchased from their Meriden Mall location just died in front of her on the vet table LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER BUYING IT because it was filled with parasites after being bred and kept in filthy cages together most likely its entire life before being brought into a store. It was severely dehydrated, underweight, and it's entire intestinal tract was infested. They clearly blatantly lie about vet history. They hire a bunch of teenagers who probably have no animal care experience at all so they don't even know to give a sh*t if the animals are living in their own feces or are sick and dying. The ones that dont live in their poop are puppies that spend day in and day out in a metal cage with no soft bottom so they stand/sit on metal bars all day long. They clearly get no love because they're all unaccustomed to being held at all. Although this rabbit was bought at the Meriden Mall location, the company policies and the treatment is almost certainly the same at other locations and in my opinion they should all go out of business. PLEASE, do not buy your animals from pet stores, but especially not this one. They often appear on the outside as a place that should care for animals, I assure you that's not always true. Even if the stores themselves are kept in cleaner conditions, where these places typically get their animals are from puppy, kitten, and bunny mills. The mothers never leave the same dark, moldy, filthy cages and are bred over and over again usually until they die from complications. The babies are cramped together and nurse for the absolute minimum amount of time they can without dying, and then are taken from their moms. They are then crammed in with many other animals, and since conditions are so dirty and cramped, if one of them gets an illness or parasite, they all get it. I've said it a million times before, and I'll say it again. ADOPT, DON'T SHOP. read more

I visited the Gentle Jungle at the Meriden Mall today. I don't particularly care for the way they keep their dogs at least. The pups are locked individually in tiny cages behind a glass window. No human interaction (except I suppose at feeding time) and no interaction with other dogs. I watched several of the little pups just running from one side of the tiny cage to the other, looking for a way out. Clearly a sign of stress, boredom and loneliness. At least at All Pets Club they have the dogs in pens, where they can interact and play with each other. Not here, they're locked in tiny cages alone, like solitary confinement. Real sweet!! read more

This place is a disgrace. Pets are in tiny cages, no toys. Especially what was bad was the fact they had adult bunnies in cages that were made for Hamsters. Guinea pigs all stuffed in one cage with barley any space, they looked lifeless. The puppies are very aggressive and you can tell they are not well taken care of. They had a puppy In a TINY play pen in front of the store to (what it seemed like) attract people. When you went down to pet the puppy he was very aggressive and bit very hard. I know puppies play but this puppy was obviously in distress. This place should be shut down. read more

I went to the mall tonight and happened to walk by this sad depressing pet store I wandered in which I knew I shouldn't have and almost shed actual TEARS. These dogs are in tiny little cages with no other puppy's. The crying and barking and howling is all you hear. As soon as an employee walked by the cages they all were trying to claw there way out, practically begging to be let loose. I saw one pee in his waterbowl which I'm sure is rarely changed. If I was rich I would've bought them all. My heart hurts for those poor baby's left all alone in tiny cages just for a profit. How is this legal?!? read more

STAY AWAY!! This place has animals in disgraceful conditions. Filthy and tiny cages. The management is very slick. There was sign on bishon that said $1000 off. Unbeknownst to management, we had been there 2 weeks ago and were told this puppy was $3000, so should now be $2000. He told us the price was $2500 !! When questioned, his face turned bright red. He lamely weaseled his math around and finally said " the breeders se the prices". Obviously, this is false advertising!! Big RED flag .Do NOT trust these people . Purchase a pet Elsewhere! It is unfortunate that these beautiful , helpless animals have to experience such poor care. read more

I came in to gentle jungle today with my 11 month old rabbit who is extremely timid and all of the staff were wonderful with her and helped me with all of her grooming needs although I did not purchase her at Gentle jungle the staff was able to make my rabbit more comfortable than I've ever seen her get in someone's arms. I will definitely be returning. read more

Gentle Jungle - Bunny relaxing in my arms - Pet Stores Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Here's an update on my two Italian Greyhounds that I purchased from Gentle Jungle in Meriden. Nora Bella and Sonny are doing fantastic, they are happy, healthy and well adjusted. Sonny is so good with Nora, he lets her have her way all the time, they are inseparable. So far I have purchased four incredible Italian Greyhounds from Gentle Jungle, my first two Vito and Cloe passed away at 16 and 19 years old; I had many wonderful years with them. Each time I visited Gentle Jungle I found the store to be clean, the dogs well cared for and the employees very helpful. I have attached a photo of Nora Bella and Sonny, look how happy and content they are! read more

Gentle Jungle - Nora Bella and Sonny, my two beautiful Italian Greyhounds purchased at Gentle Jungle - Pet Stores Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

No puppy should have to suffer they way our beautiful Goldendoodle did. We got him from this pet store and less than two weeks later he died from parvo. Three days after we got him he got sick, we brought him to the Southbury Vet immediately, the vet that the pet store recommended we go to if we had an issues. The vet checked him out, gave him a shot, and sent him home with diarrhea meds. Three days later the dog was sick but this time worse than before. We returned to the vet and that day he tested positive for Parvo, two days later he died. Something really Sketchy about this place. The business posted on social media stating they were closed due to unforeseen circumstances the day before our dog even tested positive for parvo. I can only assume the store had been notified of another animal having parvo. How come if they knew our dog was exposed and having symptoms we weren't notified? Parvo is a deadly virus but if breeders and the owner of this store would do business with reputable breeders, this wouldn't happen. Also Do not believe anyone who tells you a puppy can get parvo from the actual vaccine. The hurt my family and I feel is like no other. Watching this poor puppy suffer was one of the hardest things we had to endure. Our vet told us we can report the death to the State Veterinarian of CT. Call them if you have experience anything awful due to the Negligence of the pet store (860) 713- 2505. I know I can't do anything to get my dog back but speaking out about this Horrifying ordeal makes the pain somewhat better. read more

They listed a puppy I had to have. I insisted we go even though we hadn't prepped for a dog yet. I messaged the store, but they never responded. We ended up calling in the AM, and made the long drive. We have been on a breeder waitlist and have a $1500+ budget, but I was willing to spend 2x that on this other designer breed. We arrived, and the 1st thing I noticed as a former saleperson was the staff wrote us off as there to play and not to buy. We were promptly shooed for their vet to come in, and never asked what we were interested in. We had to linger around the mall during this pandemic for an hr waiting to be let back in. Eventually someone took the dog out for us. I knew the sec I held her that I wanted her, so my partner just had to decide if she liked this breed, and our conversation quickly turned to if we're ready for a puppy. We had time, because our salesperson disappeared to help a family instead. We waited to buy from her instead of those that wrote us off, and overheard the owner telling customers how to backyard breed. Yikes! I finally got the price, and it was literally 2x the average from a breeder, and over $1,000 more than the 2x our budget I was prepared to put on my card. She said the pandemic increased demand, and I had to ask for details on the financing they were pushing hard at the registers, and for the dog's info. She got the owner to stop by 1st, and Pete told us how people called about "it" already, how lucky it was to get the breed in CT, how much farther other people have driven, etc. Nothing about potential health problems for the breed, if we'd be a good lifestyle fit, or any of that. We could not justify knowingly being ripped off, or supporting a pet store that was run like a used car lot. I am heartbroken that I don't have my dog right now. It would've been financially irresponsible, and it would've compromised our ethics as consumers. I can only say to not even visit this place, and avoid being heartbroken or emotionally extorted. read more

this place is absolutely RIDICULOUS. this "business" should be shut down immediately. I have been in and out the past few years and see how they treat their dogs and try to cover their asses. I had 3 different friends get their puppies from this place and they had significant health problems a few weeks later. not only that they recently had "Free HAMSTER day" but I should have known something was sketchy. they dragged this "Today Only" free hamster day into THREE free days of hamsters. this was posted to their instagram where they SUSPICIOUSLY turned off the comments . well I took my little siblings to get a free hamster turns out they are trying to get rid of their unwanted mice and telling people it's a baby hamster ! I took this hamster to a small animals vet and it was very much a mouse ! how scary for a kid expecting a hamster. also the last two times I went in both older females with dark hair were very rude making remarks BAD BAD BAD FOR BUSINESS. these poor animals need too be sent back to breeders and this place needs to be shut down . read more

I really love this pet store. Not only are all of there puppies in good health but I will be going back there in 2020 to get my daughter a puppy. I would say there one flaw would be that bringing home a dog would leave a big devants in a lot of people's wallets. But i do think anyone looking for a great dog and amazing service would be better off going to the Genotal jungle pet store. read more

I got my, now 2 year old, puggle here in April of 2016. I had the best customer service and she's the best dog ever! Never has any health problems and is just the sweetest! She even came microchipped! I moved to New York a year ago, but I wish I lived closer now that my best friend is trying to buy a dog and the experience in the city is so different than it was for me! read more

Gentle Jungle - Pet Stores Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

See all

Do not shop here if you have any decency. The puppies look so sad I tear up. It smells of urine just walking by the place. I doubt the puppies ever get walked or taken care of properly & not to mention Everything is super overpriced. read more

My friend and I happened to walk in this store at the Mall 8/26/19. The animals did not appear to be happy, one dog was extremely agitated - staff were standing around chatting. I made mention to the staff that in the front window bunny display there was a rabbit that appeared to be dead - when they looked - it was. read more

Dogs look stressed and sad in this place. Cages where dogs are kept are TINYYYY for most of the dogs in that store. I wouldn't buy a pet from this place. read more

If I could, I'd give this place 0 stars! One word: INHUMANE! The animals are sleeping and playing in their own feces. The dogs are locked in tiny crates with no padding - some didn't have a single toy to play with! DISGUSTING! This is animal cruelty! The workers (teenagers) were grouped at the cash registers on their phones - sure didn't seem like they had any animal knowledge amongst them. Also, the pets are being sold at high costs. I've read other reviews on here stating that the animals are often sick too. This place needs to be shut down! I will be writing a letter to the BBB along with the governor after what I saw today. read more

If I could give negative stars I would... this place NEEDS to be shut down. They do not care for the animals and charge an arm and a leg for sick puppy mill dogs. They clip ONE wing on their birds, which is worse than clipping both as they now can only fly in a circle. They keep chinchillas in with guinea pigs, THEY DO NOT EAT THE SAME DIET! Also, they keep the chinchilla's dust bath in with them at all times so they are just asking for them to get upper respiratory infections or worse. The only way to get this place to shut down is if people stop buying animals from them! DO YOUR RESEARCH PEOPLE! They have been in the news so many times for neglect and abuse, do not support this place! You may think you are helping by getting these animals out of there but you are supporting them!! read more

I went to buy a dwarf bunny. They sell me a regular Bunny. I take it home and after about 6 months I see the bunny is huge now. I now will have to buy a huge cage cause she does not fit it the biggest cage in calling to tell them off but we love her none the less. read more

Horrible place animals are kept in small cages. When I went I saw a dog so hungry that it was eating its own feces. Water bowls were dirty and animals looked cold. read more

I purchased a dog here 2 years ago. All of the employees seemed to know this dog well and were sad to see him go. Brought the dog to the vet within the 2 day "warranty" period. Turns out he had giardia and it was not covered by Gentle Jungles policy. It took us over a year to get him healthy. Somehow Gentle Jungles vet overlooked a dog that barely ate and immediately went to the bathroom after eating? Ridiculous. read more

My family and I are grateful to Gentle Jungle for providing us with our loving dwarf rabbit "Buns". We purchased her from this pet store 11 years ago. She was one cute bunny amongst many cute bunnies. She was ready for her furever home and we loved her every second of her life. She was always healthy and happy and once I started to heal from losing her, I figured I would go in and see what they had to offer. Once again there were beautiful bunnies all ready to be taken home and loved, my heart was not ready yet and I felt guilty for my bunny passing. They answered my questions and were caring and compassionate and helped me to accept my loss. They offered to socialize with the animals for they enjoy the time with people. So I did and really enjoyed the beautiful sweet critters they had there that day to also comfort me. I am looking forward to picking my next best buddy from these caring individuals soon. read more

This place buys its dogs from puppy mills. It always smells like dog urine. In addition, the staff was rude and uneducated about their animals. I noticed that one of their female parakeets had laid an egg and pointed it out to their staff. The woman rolled her eyes at me and said, "Yeah, they do that." As an experienced parrot owner I know that egg laying takes a lot out of a female's body. They need a special diet to put calcium back in their body to replace what they took from their own bones to make the shells. Also, females allowed to keep an egg (which may or may not be viable since they had males mixed in with the females) may become broody and aggressive towards others to protect their nest. That could have meant fighting with the other birds and risk of injury. Personally, I feel bad for all the animals in that place. read more

I purchased a boxer on Sunday given wrong information that she had been treated for a cough, which she was not according to our vet and their paperwork. The place also said she was de-wormed, well she has worms... so they lied. I have contacted an attorney, BBB and will be calling the owner myself because now other pets are at risk and the contract we have with them should be invalid because of their lies and documentation that is inaccurate. read more

We purchased a puppy from this mill. The papers are falsified. We took the puppy to our vet and received the bad news of extreme health concerns. We were totally devastated and had to return the puppy. Still, think about him and wonder where he is. This place needs to be shut down. Too much handling of animals stressed out in cages. read more

I visited Gentle Jungle a couple weeks ago and have to credit Elliot who was so kind and helpful. He made me absolutely fall head over heals for the Cavalier breed. He was patient, knowledgeable, and it was obvious he cared very much for the animals here. However, it was also clear the dogs are not as loved by whomever runs the place. 90% of these poor puppies did not even have a mat to rest on. Instead they lay on a grate all day, most without a single toy either. I cannot bring myself to purchase from an establishment with standards the same as a kill shelter. read more

This place is disgusting do not buy any animal from here! The cages were not clean and the staff was more interested in gossiping than assisting these animals or the customers needs. All the animals are bought from puppy and animal mills. Even if they have a clear sign that states their animals are checked before hand for illnesses they are not. They are in it for the profit, their pet care items are grossly over priced as well. This place should be shut down just like the mills. You would get a better and cheaper animal on Craigslist or at a shelter. read more

If I could give a 0 rating I would. Went in last night and they had large husky puppies two to a small cage with pee stains on them and poop all over the cage. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions are the norm with this store. If I could rescue all the puppies from their conditions I would. read more

This place... the animals are locked away 24/7, sick and miserable. They are thin and under fed. The teenagers that seem to run the store have no idea what they are doing and don't care about these animals. I have personally witness a puppy who got his nose stuck in the cage get kicked the be moved. Dogs are thrown into cages and kittens have no room. The back room is worse... do not buy from this awful place. There's cheaper places who don't do this hell to their animals. They need to be shut down. read more

Very nice staff. Owner was polite and encourage us to play with dog gave us time to be with the dog and didn't pressure us at all.

The animals here are not well taken care of by any means and live in small cages with no love. Poorly managed, animals are mistreated. Very sad. read more