Port Clinton shop offers pets that swim, crawl and slither - The News-Messenger

Posted: 19 May 2020 05:05 AM PDT

Sheri Trusty, Correspondent Published 7:45 a.m. ET May 19, 2020

Wet Pets-N-Pals expanding just 1 year after it opened

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Kailey Cornell pets Frankie the red iguana at Wet Pets-N-Pals in Port Clinton. Kailey's father, Dave Cornell, opened the shop, which sells fish and reptiles, in spring 2019.

(Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)

PORT CLINTON - A fish and reptile shop that opened in Port Clinton in spring 2019 is doing so well it has already expanded from one room to three.

Two rooms inside Wet Pets-N-Pals feature hundreds of freshwater cichlids and tropical community fish. Although the third room's development was slowed by the pandemic, it now holds a variety of reptiles and will eventually be brimming with geckos, iguanas, and bearded dragons.

The shop sells the supplies needed to care for aquatic and reptile pets, including crickets, superworms, mice and rats. The shop's stock includes hairless rats and an occasional snake or turtle, as well as pond supplies and a large assortment of aquatic plants. One of the shop's more unusual reptiles is the axolotl, a type of salamander sometimes referred to as a Mexican walking fish.

Wet Pets-N-Pals is owned by Dave Cornell, who runs the business with the help of his wife, Charity, and their children, Kailey, Sonya, Kasen and Jace. Dave was working as an arborist when health issues caused by molds on trees forced him to find other work.

"We decided to take on our love of fish," he said. "I had always been into fish as a hobby, and it started taking off about four years ago when we bought a new house and brought in a new tank."

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Dave Cornell's business, Wet Pets-N-Pals, is a family run shop. Dave's wife and children help him care for the hundreds of fish and reptiles at the shop. Shown here are, back row, left to right: Kailey Cornell, Charity Cornell, and Dave Cornell, and front row, left to right: Sonya Costo, Jace Cornell, and Kasen Cornell.

(Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)

Now, Wet Pets-N-Pals boasts over 130 tanks and over 50 types of African cichlids and nearly as many varieties of community fish. Instead of purchasing fish in bulk, Dave purchases small amounts to provide constantly changing stock.

"The stock is not static for people who want to come in over and over," he said. "And we do special orders. Just because we don't have something doesn't mean we can't get it. It usually takes about one week."

Some of Dave's stock comes from breeders in Florida, some from local breeders, and some, like Dalmatian geckos, he breeds at the shop. He breeds cichlids through a process calls "stripping" which requires Dave to remove eggs from the female's mouth for transfer to an incubator.

When stock arrives from suppliers, Dave often creates a live YouTube "boxing video" which features one of the family members opening the box and revealing what is inside. That way, customers get a first peek at new stock and a front row view on the handling process.

"We're very transparent. Everything we do is in the public's eye," Dave said.

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Two of the Dalmatian crested geckos available for purchase at Wet Pets-N-Pals. The shop sells a variety of geckos, iguanas, and bearded dragons.

(Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)

The whole process of animal care in the shop is hands-on to protect the health of the stock, including cleaning the dozens of aquariums. No automated systems are used, so the process takes three eight-hour days to complete.

"We have a five-star rating on Facebook for cleanliness and atmosphere and for the friendliness and knowledge of the staff," Charity said.

Wet Pets-N-Pals offers in-home tank maintenance for customers who want to "enjoy their fish without cleaning the tank," Dave said. Charity also offers in-home dog sitting, as well as dog walking, for customers who want their pets cared for in a comfortable environment while their owners are gone.

Now that warmer weather has arrived, Wet Pets-N-Pals will offer pond services, including sales of koi and pond plants. The shop has an in-house koi pond to inspire customers.

Dave also offers fish and reptile rescue. The shop features a large "Story Tank" filled with rescued fish rehabilitated by Dave, and some injured fish are placed through Ohio Fish Rescue.

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Dave Cornell handles two Dalmatian crested geckos inside the reptile room at Wet Pets-N-Pals. The pandemic slowed the expansion of the room, but it will eventually be filled with a variety of reptiles and the supplies needed to care for them.

(Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)

"People will occasionally drop off a fish they can't take care of or that has outgrown its tank. I'm in communication with Ohio Fish Rescue to make sure the fish are going to a safe place," he said.

Wet Pets-N-Pals is at 3250 East State Road in Port Clinton. More information can be found on Facebook and YouTube or by calling 419-967-9470.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

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