Photo by Dionna Moore

Photo by Dionna Moore

Photo by David Pollan

For some, deciding on a profession often takes years. Others know early on what they want to do when they grow up. For Eric Haug, owner of Pets a Plenty in Hockley, it was the latter. From the time Haug was 10 years old he had an affinity for animals, namely reptiles, and he knew he wanted to work with animals in some capacity one day.

"When I was 10 I found a snake in my parents' backyard, and I was immediately hooked," Haug said. "I told my parents that I was going to do this—work with animals—for life."

The backyard snake was the first of many reptiles Haug would own. He said at one point his snake collection at his parents' house growing up grew to 104.

"My parents were saints," Haug said. "My mom encouraged it, and my dad tolerated it."

Pets a Plenty opened in 1973 in Houston. As a kid growing up in Houston, Haug would frequent the pet shop to get supplies for the animals he owned as well as look for others he could add to his collection. He spent so much time at the store, and had such an interest in the animals, that he tried to get a job at the pet shop. The owner at the time was reluctant to give Haug a job, but after he continued to persuade the owner, he was given the opportunity to volunteer and work part time when he was 13. Haug has worked at Pets a Plenty ever since.

Haug, a Magnolia resident since 1996, took over full ownership of the pet store in 1999 when the original owner retired. In 2007, Haug moved the shop to its current location in Hockley to be more centrally located for most of the client base. Haug said because the shop specializes in some rare things, he would have clients come from all over, with as many as 70 percent of his customers coming from more than 30 miles away.

"We have an extremely loyal customer base," Haug said. "I was very surprised with the following we maintained even after the move."

Up until 2007, Pets a Plenty was like any other pet store. It carried dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians, along with all the supplies those entail. However, Haug said his interest lied mainly with reptiles and amphibians, so he decided the store would specialize in those only. By 2009, he had eliminated approximately 50 percent of the business that was not reptiles and amphibians and by 2011 the store had become fully dedicated to reptiles and amphibians.

"We determined that reptiles and amphibians were our niche," Haug said. "We decided to become a specialty shop, and there was no need to compete with the larger pet stores."

Pets a Plenty now carries a number of different species of snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises as well as some tropical fish. Patrons can also find all the necessary supplies for the aforementioned creatures along with some supplies for birds, Haug said. There are both venomous and nonvenomous snakes at Pets a Plenty, however, the venomous snakes are for display only.

To bring in additional revenue for the upkeep of the animal habitats and other expenses, Haug offers customers the opportunity to come in and feed some of the animals, such as the spectacled caiman, for a small fee.

"I don't get up and go to work every day. I get up and go play," Haug said. "This has never been a job to me."

Pets a Plenty, 23933 Nichols Sawmill Road, Ste. A, Hockley 281-356-3560, www.ultimatereptiles.com, Hours: Mon.—Fri. 10 a.m.—7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.—6 p.m., Sun. noon—5 p.m.