Pittsburgh Reptile Show at Cheswick's Harmar House lets visitors get up close - TribLIVE
Pittsburgh Reptile Show at Cheswick's Harmar House lets visitors get up close - TribLIVE |
| Pittsburgh Reptile Show at Cheswick's Harmar House lets visitors get up close - TribLIVE Posted: 10 Jan 2020 08:01 AM PST  There aren't many places you can go to pet a snake, but here you can touch hundreds. The Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale is held every month at the Harmar House in Cheswick. It brings together thousands of reptiles — from snakes to lizards to frogs — all in one space. This month's date is Jan. 12. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. "It is a busy show, and the sales are there," says George Diaz, who owns Off the Hook Exotic Pets in Ambridge with Desiree Diaz. "We love to introduce people to snakes and let them pet them and hold them. They make wonderful pets." George Diaz says at any one time he could have between 100 and 300 snakes in his shop, which he calls the "wildest pet store in Pittsburgh." He says he will bring some of them to this show, which is definitely a successful one. The fact that it's been around for 30 years speaks volumes about how good an event it is, he says. "It's a friendly atmosphere," he says. "I have always loved snakes, and I have had customers say 'I was afraid of snakes, but once I learned about them, now I have six of them.' " No fear There isn't anything to be scared of, says Chip Reynolds who, with wife Ashley, owns Dendro Hollow Reptiles and Amphibians in Leechburg. He says the show is a way to introduce people to these animals and teach them about reptiles. For him, the education part is important to make sure the pet lives in a home where it is cared for. "I am not in this for the money," he says. "There have been many times I have decided not to make a sale because I didn't feel right about it. These are my animals." Reynolds says he is passionate about eliminating the stigma associated with these animals. He says the pet owners at the show don't force anything on anyone. He plans to bring poison dart frogs, lizards and snakes. He says in captivity these animals are harmless. The poison dart frogs are about 1½ inches in size and can live up to 20 years if kept correctly. The Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale is one of the largest and most consistent events, he says. There are quality vendors who have a passion for animals, he says. Mini zoo It's definitely a can't-miss event for Dave Shultz, owner of Adam & Eve's Pet Station in Latrobe, which has been in business 53 years. He plans to bring birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, spiders, lizards and snakes — a "mixed bag" of animals, as he calls it. "This show is like a live mini zoo," he says. "I love the interaction with the people who attend, and I enjoy getting to know the other vendors as well. You meet a lot of interesting people. It's a well-organized show." Organizer Amanda South, who lived in Monroeville and Saltsburg before moving to Texas, has been attending the show forever and been at the helm for 20 years. Her sister Trisha George is the co-host of the event. South says an average of 1,500 people attend the show that was started by Herb Ellerbrock, who worked in the reptile department at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in Highland Park. "He started the show September 1989 and it has been a once-a-month show ever since; we have never missed a month in the last 30 years," South says. There are 87 vendors, an array of pet supplies and thousands of animals. She says that research has shown that one in four households owns a dog or cat and one in seven has an exotic animal. "The care for the exotic is so much easier because they are low maintenance," she says. "But they are still quality pets. My son's lizard cuddles with him. I have a bearded dragon that sits on my shoulder. These animals have personalities. Some people call this show unusual, but I just call it unique." Scared of snakes? South was once petrified of snakes. Her ex-husband hid a ball python named Squeeze in a closet in their house. He finally told her about the snake because the animal wouldn't eat. "He knew I wouldn't want to see any animal die from not eating, so I tried to find someone to help me get the snake to eat," she says. "One of the vendors from the reptile show came from Butler to our house to help care for the snake." She eventually lost Squeeze in the divorce, but has since purchased others. "Snakes make perfect pets," she says. "We will have all kinds of snakes, including venomous, but they will be clearly marked so guests will be safe. If someone sells one of the venomous snakes, the animal will be escorted properly out of the show." JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, [email protected] or via Twitter . |
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