News & Events

Dec 20 was a blizzard day in Rockville. Since I was feeding 2 baby African Grey Parrots and 4 Peach Faced Love Birds, I was concerned about getting up my hill to the store so at midnight I packed up a cot,a change of clothes and some food and headed in for the night. By morning it was clear this had been a good idea since I could not even see my car under a foot or so of snow and more coming down. Everyone had been warned to keep their pets warm and safe and a few hardy souls in the apartments next to us were clearing spaces for their little dogs who were shorter than the snow. We had just three customers that made it in that day. Two needed crickets and one a mouse. One young lady was 27 cents short on her purchase, saying she would bring it in next time. She showed up at supper time with the change and 3 delicious tacos for me since she had figured out that I would be here again for another night. Are pet people not the most caring people on earth? Not only do they take care of their animals but the rest of us as well. That’s why Animal Exchange is still in business  starting our 31st year and it is still worth while to be here even in the worst of times. Thank you all.

Animal Exchange offers a series of classes to anyone interested in working at Animal Exchange or simply wanting to know more about pets. The entire series of 14 two hour classes is available with preregistration of $125.00.

Sunday classes are available if space permits with preregistration of $15.00 for a single class. Parrot Psychology usually fills up quickly so sign up early if you are having birdy behavior issues.

SUNDAY 3-5PM                                          WEDNESDAY 6-8PM

                                                                             Jan 6- Intro & Responsibility

Jan 10-Small Animals                                Jan 13- Chinchillas and Rabbits

Jan 17- Invasive Species                          Jan 20- (Science Cafe)

Jan 24 Reptiles                                             Jan27- Amphibians

Jan 31- Birds                                                  Feb 3- Bird Catch

Feb 7- Parrot Psychology                        Feb 10- Dogs

Feb 14- Bird Breeding                                 Feb 17- (Science Cafe)

Feb 21- Fish                                                     Feb 24- Cats

Feb 28- Exam

Animal Exchange hires from the class but there is no guarantee of a job offer. If you are hired and work at the store for 4 months (at least 200 hours) the class fee will be refunded.

Halloween is almost here and once again we are giving your Hermit Crabs an early opportunity to Trick or Treat. Get them decorated and dressed up and bring them to Animal Exchange October 25, 3:00PM for all the fun.

This year, for the first time you can rent a crab to dress. Just come to the store after Oct 17. We will charge you for the crab but refund all but $1:00 when you return your crab, win or loose.

August 5, 1979. That is the day Animal Exchange rang  the cash register the very first time. Since we always celebrate on a Sunday, August 2, 2009 is the party day. Join us between 1 and 3 in the afternoon for treats for you and your pets. As always, pets are welcome.

Animal Exchange is 30 years old this year! The Blessing of the Animals is our 20th celebration of this wonderful event. Ruth is 70 and now 15 years beyond a diagnosis of cancer. What more could we ask for?

When you visit the store, add your name to our email address ,or our address and join us all year as we celebrate the store and all of you who have shared with our love of our pets. Animal Exchange is greatful that there are so very many Pet Lovers that have made an investment in caring for the life of a pet. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Did you know that Charles Darwin was born 200 years ago on the same day as Abe Lincoln? Well we are a little late in celebrating but we are having a SCIENCE CAFE to honor him. We will have a brief presentation by Dr. Mac West a distinguished evolutionary biologist and then an opportunity to discuss Darwins remarkable observations. And yes there will be cake… If you missed this party, join us for another Science Cafe.

The videos posted under animalexchange on You Tube have now been seen over 4000 times! We hope these videos will not only be enjoyable to watch, but will also provide information that is helpful to you.

 There are so many possibilities for what to do next that you are invited to call or email us with your suggestions. The email address is animalexchange@erols.com and the phone is 301-424-PETS

Yes, Animal Exchange is on Youtube! This may come as a shock to those of you who know that Ruth is technologically inept but a friend and neighbor filmed our current baby birds being handfed. To see these babies ,click here and be sure to tell us what you think, next time you are at Animal Exchange.

Animal Exchange ‘Lend-A-Pet’ Program Receives City Honor
Program Recognized for Quarter Century of Pairing Pets and Seniors

The City of Rockville Senior Center recently presented its Corporate Appreciation Award to Animal Exchange, a 29-year-old retailer in Rockville, Md., for its Lend-A-Pet program which lets older residents borrow a pet—for a few weeks to years. Ruth Hanessian is president of Animal Exchange.
 
Lorraine Schack, Senior Social Services Manager, presented the award to Ms. Hanessian on May 20, 2008, at the Senior Center’s annual volunteer appreciation event with a plaque that reads, “In recognition of 25 years of providing joy to the senior citizens of Rockville through the pet loan program, we proudly honor Animal Exchange with the Rockville Senior Center Corporate Appreciation Award.”
 
Begun in 1983, the Lend-A-Pet program brings an assortment of pet birds and fish to the Rockville Senior Center once a month. Rockville senior center members are welcome to “borrow” an animal for a test drive of the pet ownership experience. Ms. Hanessian also provides food and supplies for the first month of the pet loan. Seniors may return the animal at any time, but most keep the pet indefinitely.

“Numerous studies have documented the benefits of pet ownership, particularly for seniors who often experience loss or loneliness. Caring for a companion animal has positive physical and emotional benefits,” Ms. Hanessian says. “It is so gratifying to see the joy shared between animals and older owners. That’s what the Lend-A-Pet program is all about.”

Rockville City Councilwoman Phyllis Marcuccio praises the program for allowing seniors “to gather another beating heart in their home. In the city of Rockville, we want everybody’s life to be as positive as possible. One of the best ways to do that is enabling the elderly to have the sense of companionship that comes from owning a pet.”

Animal Exchange has been in business in Rockville, Md., since 1979. Ruth Hanessian has placed more than 1,000 pets with older Rockville residents through the Lend-A-Pet program. Pet store managers interested in starting a pet loan program, may contact Animal Exchange at (301) 424-PETS or animalexchange@verizon.net <animalexchange@verizon.net>  for more information. 

   Please, if you have a wonderful pet bird that is out of the cage in your home, be sure the feathers on the wing are trimmed so it can’t go out the door or window as we finally have nice weather again.

   We will be glad to trim it for you with an appointment, we always teach you how to do it but since feathers moult and regrow routinely, you must always check your birds for their safety.