About Us
Rhonda's Aviary has been in business since 2006. In 2009 I moved from the Pea Ridge Flea Market into The Rockwell Plaza mall. We have expanded three times since that move. We carry everything from finches to macaws and everything you would need to keep them healthy and happy. Generally speaking, the larger the bird, the more cost that is involved in providing the proper housing requirements, enrichment opportunities, and a quality diet. Parrots come in all sizes fortunately and the most popular are also the most affordable. Hand-fed parakeets and cockatiels are hands-down a customer favorite. They make excellent pets as they are personable, they can talk, whistle, and quickly become a part of your family.
Since expanding into reptiles, our customer base has grown exponentially. Like the birds, you have your tried and true customer favorites. Bearded dragons, crested and leopard geckos are almost always in stock. They are moderately priced because they are very common. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns and are captive bred so they have fewer health issues. Their care is easily learned and if customers need any help we have a well-trained staff who have experience in the hobby. We also carry a wide variety of lesser-known reptiles, amphibians, and inverts. Tarantulas and other inverts have become very popular pets due to their inexpensive housing requirements and ease of care. They are fascinating to watch.
Our third area of expansion is our small animal department. Need Degu or hedgehog food? We have you covered. Looking for sugar glider supplies? We have everything from vitamins to marsupial milk for abandoned joeys. Although we do not regularly carry mammals in stock, we do rehome home them and almost always have one in need of a family.
Everyone here loves animals. Because of that we also provide a rehoming option for people who can no longer care for their animals. The animals that are surrendered to us stay with us here until they meet the right family for them. We have had animals left on our doorstep, some found in garbage cans, some left in abandoned houses, and some from loving families that have had their life upended by tragedy or health issues.
This is heartbreaking and why we offer this service. We have had some amazing success stories that have touched us so deeply it makes it all worthwhile. We especially love regular updates on the birds/animals that have been adopted out.
Our newest expansion is our boarding and grooming area. We board exotic animals. It is easy to find someone to watch your dog or cat when you go on vacation, not so easy if you are looking for someone to take care of your sugar glider, hedgehog, or reptile. We now offer an affordable option for those families.
We are a specialty store and therefore depend greatly on word of mouth for our advertising. Some of our customers travel two hours to shop with us and we are grateful for such a loyal customer base. The Milton area has become our home. We are surrounded by warm and welcoming people who have embraced us as a part of the community.
Rhonda
Store Owner
How Rhonda’s Aviary Came to Be
and Silver Linings
The devastation of Hurricane Ivan is something that I will never forget. It was awe-inspiring, terrible, and profoundly eye-opening.
But there was a silver lining.
After hurricane Ivan, I was faced with the opportunity/challenge to find new employment. My workplace was destroyed by the storm. Finding work was difficult since so many buildings and businesses were gone. I had been hobby breeding Lady Gouldian finches for a few years and it was my passion. My husband was still employed and asked if I thought my hobby could generate just $200 a week. It’s funny how one decision can completely change the direction of your life.
I decided to try.
I created an eBay store. I contacted companies to see about selling their products. Before long, I was a Power Seller. I was running out of storage room at home. What to do now? Some friends recommended the flea market. I didn’t know how I felt about that. There were literally no buildings to rent, so I decided to give the flea market a try. After all, there would be guaranteed through traffic on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
As it turned out, it was the best move I could have made.
They also recommended opening my business in Pace even though I lived in Pensacola. You see, at that time there weren’t many pet stores in Pace or Milton and there were several in Pensacola. It seemed like a good decision.
So I moved my business to Pace.
After a year, I moved into a larger unit where I could be open every day of the week.
In 2009 a customer of mine, who was a real estate agent, told me of a place that had just opened up. I knew in my heart that I should take the leap of faith and move my little business.
On November 9th, 2009 I opened my little shop.
Every couple of years an opportunity would open up for expansion. I took every opportunity that came my way. Every time the store had a chance to grow, I was terrified.
I did it anyway.
We now carry birds, reptiles, small animals, and inverts. I never dreamed we would be where we are today. My health has declined some and I am no longer able to keep up with the demands of animal care and the details of running a business. I am blessed with an amazing staff that has a passion for animals and their care. They have willingly picked up the torch and run with it. They have kept the dream alive.
I love what I do. I have worked hard, but in the end, all of the major decisions made were influenced by friends, family, especially my husband, employees, and amazing customers who have supported me through hurricanes, the recession, moving, the BP oil spill, and now Covid-19. I owe everything I have become to them.
It takes a village.
It might be my name on - well, everything... but I could have never done it without my team. Meet them here -