Animal Krackers Pet Center Merrionette Park: Your Local Illinois Pet Store

Animal Krackers Pet Center Introduce

For pet owners across Merrionette Park, Chicago, and the wider Illinois region, finding a well-stocked and comprehensive pet store is crucial for the well-being of their animal companions. Animal Krackers Pet Center, located at 3309 W 115th St, Merrionette Park, IL, positions itself as a significant local resource. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of this establishment, helping local users understand its offerings and what to expect when they visit.

Established in 1995 in Evergreen Park and later moving to its current larger location in 2000, Animal Krackers Pet Center has grown to become one of the largest independent family-owned pet stores in the Chicagoland area. This long-standing presence suggests a commitment to serving the community. They pride themselves on being a well-stocked store carrying supplies for all types of family pets, offering everything from quality brands of foods to a vast fish room. While the store highlights its extensive selection and clean environment, potential customers should consider all aspects of its operations, particularly concerning animal welfare, as detailed in recent customer feedback.

Location and Accessibility

Animal Krackers Pet Center is conveniently located at 3309 W 115th St, Merrionette Park, IL 60803, USA. This location places it within a readily accessible area of Merrionette Park, a suburb just south of Chicago. Situated on West 115th Street, a known local artery, the store is straightforward to reach for residents within Merrionette Park, as well as those coming from neighboring communities in Illinois, such as Evergreen Park, Alsip, and Oak Lawn.

The store's independent status and its presence within a local community contribute to its neighborhood feel. For customers traveling by car, ample parking is typically available, making it convenient to transport purchases of pet supplies or bring pets for any services offered. While detailed public transportation options are not explicitly provided, the area's integration into the local road network suggests reasonable accessibility for a suburban setting. This ease of access makes Animal Krackers Pet Center a practical stop for various pet-related errands for many Illinois households.

Services Offered

Extensive Pet Supplies: Animal Krackers Pet Center offers a wide array of supplies for various family pets. This includes aisles filled with products for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, and reptiles.
Premium Pet Foods: The store stocks quality brands of pet foods, including dry, refrigerated, and frozen options. They carry popular brands such as Fromm, Evangers, Orijen, and Real Meat, and can often special-order items they don't regularly stock.
Large Fish Room: A significant feature is their "vast fish room," which houses a wide selection of fish, ranging from everyday favorites to more exotic species. They also offer a variety of aquarium plants and related supplies, catering to both casual and serious aquarists.
Live Animals: Animal Krackers Pet Center sells a variety of live animals, including fish, birds, reptiles (such as ball pythons and bearded dragons), and small mammals (like rats). The presence of "Stan the Man," an in-house Flemish Giant Rabbit, also indicates their engagement with live animals.
Reptile and Small Mammal Supplies: Beyond the animals themselves, the store provides habitats, bedding, food, and other essential supplies for reptiles and small mammals.

Features / Highlights

Largest Independent Pet Store: Animal Krackers Pet Center prides itself on being the largest independent family-owned pet store in the Chicagoland area. This distinction often implies a personalized approach and a unique selection compared to larger chain stores.
Diverse Animal Selection: The store offers a variety of live animals, appealing to customers looking for new pets across different categories (fish, birds, reptiles, small mammals).
Comprehensive Supply Inventory: With "aisles of supplies," customers can expect to find a wide range of products for most pet needs in one location, reducing the need to visit multiple stores.
Specialty Fish Room: The "nicest fish room around" and a vast selection of both common and exotic fish, along with aquarium plants, are notable highlights for aquatic enthusiasts.
Personalized Service (Claimed): As an independent, family-owned business, they often aim to provide a more personalized and attentive service, though customer experiences can vary. Their website emphasizes a friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.

Contact Information

Address: 3309 W 115th St, Merrionette Park, IL 60803, USA

Phone: (708) 389-7248

Mobile Phone: +1 708-389-7248

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For pet owners in Merrionette Park, Chicago, and the surrounding Illinois communities, Animal Krackers Pet Center at 3309 W 115th St offers a significant local resource for a wide array of pet supplies and live animals. As one of the largest independent family-owned pet stores in the Chicagoland area, it provides an extensive inventory that aims to cater to nearly every type of family pet, from premium dog foods to a vast and diverse fish room stocking both common and exotic species. This broad selection makes it a convenient one-stop shop for many daily pet necessities and specialized hobby needs.

However, it is crucial for prospective customers to be aware of and consider recent customer feedback regarding animal welfare within the store, particularly concerning the living conditions of rodents and reptiles. While the store highlights its commitment to a "fun shopping experience" and a wide selection, reports of inadequate housing, lack of enrichment, and potential health issues for some animals should be carefully evaluated by individuals prioritizing animal well-being. For those seeking a wide variety of pet supplies and a diverse selection of fish, Animal Krackers Pet Center offers significant convenience. Nonetheless, local Illinois users are encouraged to visit the store and assess the animal care practices firsthand to ensure they align with their personal ethical standards before making any purchases of live animals.

Animal Krackers Pet Center Photos

Animal Krackers Pet Center Location

Animal Krackers Pet Center

Illinois Cook County Merrionette Park West 115th Street

3309 W 115th St, Merrionette Park, IL 60803, USA

Animal Krackers Pet Center Reviews

Was in here earlier today with my spouse; we're rat owners and have been looking to expand our family.Let me start off by saying rat cage conditions are absolutely deplorable. The rats are kept in 10 gallon glass containers when they should be kept in something more akin to a bird cage for proper ventilation. These were on wooden bedding with no toys, no hides, no enrichment. There were two adult males who were unhealthy, unresponsive to stimuli, and lethargic cramped into small cages. Lack of ventilation, considering the concentration of the ammonia in rat urine, will lead to severe upper respiratory illness and eventually death granted how vulnerable rat lungs are to infection. Even if they were to be adopted, feeder or not, glass cages condemn these babies to suffering requiring multiple rounds of antibiotics. There was minimal food scattered about what little cage they had. You treat your rats no better than someone who owns a puppy mill.In addition, their reptile tanks, especially for their ball pythons, were too small. First rule of owning a ball python is knowing how large it will get and meeting the tank size demand for a ball python's space, but again, the owner has clearly skimped on tank size for these animals, who're unable to stretch to their full length.I'm going to tell everyone I know about our experience there; this place is cruel and inhumane. I will warn them all to steer clear. I comforted my sobbing wife in our car for an hour.I can only imagine how many of these little lives you've ruined because of your greed and ignorance. Do us all a favor and go out of business.
Jun 27, 2025 · David L
I visited this shop after reading the reviews saying their animal enclosures were fantastic and their pets were well cared for.This is not the case for their rodents.Their rats were kept in 10 gallon glass aquariums inside a custom shelving unit which completely blocks ventilation. They were on wood bedding with no hides, toys, or other enrichment. Rats CANNOT be kept like this as the ammonia from their urine is highly concentrated and will cause them upper respiratory infections, which are often fatal, without proper ventilation.Additionally, they had 2 adult male rats in one small aquarium. They were highly lethargic. There was almost no room for them to move - the aquarium was roughly 2.5x the length of their bodies.This is cruel and inhumane. Regardless of whether the rat is intended for a pet or for a feeder, they deserve better living conditions than this.Additionally, 2 of their betta fish were floating on the top of their bowls, unmoving.Please, please educate yourself on the conditions in which you ought to keep your animals. This was highly disappointing and frankly heartbreaking. I will not be returning.EDIT: The owner's response is deplorable. Completely ignores the health risks and improper housing of the rats. "At least they aren't starving to death, anyway look at the fish-". Rats being nocturnal animals does not explain why one was having difficulty walking and showed laboured breathing.Animal Krackers offers a 7 day guarantee on animals, with refunds allowed if the animal dies within a week of being purchased. Signs by the rats say "NO GUARANTEES ON RATS".This establishment knows EXACTLY what awful conditions it keeps its rats in.
Jun 27, 2025 · Andromeda Wellspring
Called around, and needed a place to donate my fish. (I didn’t want to flush them or put them in a pond). This place was very helpful. The guy I talked to on the phone was nice and pleasant to talk to. I came a week later to drop off my fish.. I spoke to the same guy, that I talked to on the phone, and I talked to him in person too. I dropped off 20-30 babies Mollies, 2 Mollies, 2 Danios. (My tank was getting over populated. This was a nice trip out. Nice selection. My son loved the Parrots. The cashier was nice and told us about the parrots. There were reptiles and snakes there too. Had a great trip here. Definitely recommend this animal shop!
Jun 13, 2025 · Meags Sperk
Those macaws are always squawking up a storm, it's hilarious! They have the prettiest blue, red, and green feathers, so vibrant. And the feed selection is seriously impressive, they've got everything. I'm not even sure what half the stuff is, but the birds seem to love it. Definitely a cool place to visit if you're into feathered friends and fish.
Jun 13, 2025 · Abdullah Almasalmeh
I’ve been out of the fish keeping hobby for about 5 years now so today was my first trip there in a long time. They’ve changed the place up and I love it so far. It’s definitely on the list of one of the cleanest shops I’ve ever been to. Pretty knowledgeable staff. I would like to see a bigger selection of tanks for purchase but I do understand the constraints of available space. Fish always appear healthy and when in doubt they quarantine the tanks properly. Very nice local shop. Prices vary as do most other shops that deal with livestock.
Feb 27, 2023 · Johnny Lally