Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Jensen.
Jeff, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Todd, high school biology and art and Bible for many years in private Christian schools. Move to Bend to teach at a local Christian school and after two years, it just wasn’t the direction I was wanting to go. So what to do I loved to be didn’t want to move out of Oregon and at the time Oregon was a beautiful place to live so I already had a classroom full of reptiles. And after some soul-searching and praying, I decided to open up all Reptile pet store. It was tough. Let me tell you that first year I didn’t think I was gonna make it but now 18 1/2 years later I’m the largest and oldest in Oregon and I give all credit to go to God.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would love to say it was a smooth road and then everything went peachy Kane, but it has been probably one of the toughest roads I’ve ever been on my life financially it’s been really good at times and incredibly bad and right now it’s one of those incredibly bad times. But I’ve got an incredible customer base that love the store and for whatever reason love me as well, and I count on them daily. I’ve been broken into twice along the way I do not like our judicial system because the last time people that broke in on cause lots of damage stolen animals that came back not in the best of shape were charged with felonies and then let go on misdemeanor charges without one minute in jail. And that is tough. They vandalize the front of my store, spray, painting, obscenities, and slogans so that’s been tough.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I opened up the store 18 1/2 years ago, I made a decision that went against other pet stores. In the way I did my business. I did not want to be a big box store and looks or practices. I chose only carry animals who were captive born in bread and not wild caught unlike so many other stores out there. I decide to run my store with ethics morals, and honesty. I try to breed as many animals as I possibly can so that I have quality control and I know that they’re healthy. Over the last 18 1/2 years I’ve started taking in surrenders animals that nobody wanted and right now while I’m not a certified rescue I taken almost 300 reptiles a year which is costly and heartbreaking at times. Many of these animals have come from other stores and based on their recommendations, the animals aren’t really bad shape in the Customer has no weathered course but to turn them and to me.
I am not a businessman in any way shape or form. I know what I do with 62 years of experience working with all kinds of animals besides reptiles I worked at San Antonio zoo I’ve worked Southwest foundation for research and education. I’ve worked with primates and Raptors so I have the experience to relay the correct information about the care and upkeep of reptiles.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I live very close to a creek and wide open spaces to explore. I grew up running wild, almost feral at times. I was raised by a single mom and a sister.. I caught every single animal that could be caught in my area. I kept them for time and studied them. In high school I worked with my biology teacher and started a raptor rehab program. And in all intense and purposes had a perfect childhood growing up in the 60s and 70s. I was a loner an awful lot through high school coming home to care for my animals and reading lots of comic books.
Pricing:
- I don’t have a clue what this is about. I price everything in my store competitively but lower than anybody else.
Contact Info:
- Website: The reptile zone.com
- Instagram: The Reptile Zone
- Facebook: The Reptile Zone./Jeff Jensen is my personal
