MrPets

Paradise Pet Centre's General Manager Adrian Theroux-Nielsen joined the store in 1997. The business was opened in 1977 by Don and Ollie Terrault, a pair who loved animals and wanted to be in an industry where they could educate people about prospective pets and how to care for them. Adrian joined for similar reasons, and has since enjoyed his role in helping people become more knowledgeable animal lovers.

“There have been three different owners over the years,” Adrian says, “but Spike and I are two of the mainstays here at Paradise Pet Centre.” Spike is an African Grey Parrot that was hatched in 1987 and adopted by the store six weeks later. They hand-fed her at first, but she taught herself all the phrases and sounds she mimics on a daily basis.

“She is quite friendly and one of the smartest parrots to interact with,” Adrian says. “She will talk and dance up a storm when a classroom of kids comes in. Her life expectancy is around 75 years, so she will be our mascot for some time to come.”