Exotic animals have gained popularity in recent years as many people have opted against the cute and cuddly in favour of something a lot more interesting. At Kho Animals Enterprise, there are over 80 different species of wildlife, each with their own unique traits.
Exotic animals do make good pets
Keeping, rearing, and exhibiting exotic animals has become the norm in the local community.
Pets don’t just include dogs, cats, or even hamsters. Many people are no longer looking for the cute and cuddly, but rather for interesting exotic pets.
Exotic pets are popular nowadays, according to Johnny Kho Shau Kee, owner of Kho Animals Enterprise.
“People are becoming more accepting towards these animals. They have learned to adore them, especially the curious children, and they are not afraid of them. Many young people nowadays prefer exotic pets because they are usually small and easy to care for. They also take up less room,” he said.
He added that exotic creatures may have the reputation of being scary, hostile, and dangerous, but they are not.
“They are actually quite tame. They don’t get hostile unless they feel threatened. We, as their caregivers, must make sure they are fed and well-protected. Never attempt to harm them,” said the 45-year-old.
His exotic pet shop in Jalan Sekama has over 80 species of reptiles, rodents, mammals, sea creatures, and other animals.
Even more can be found in Kho’s house. Kho, who runs the business with his wife Lynn Sim Lee Ling, said that in order to rear exotic animals, a licence from the Sarawak Forest Department is required.
“I have a licence for every single one of them. And when I breed to sell them, the buyers must also apply for a licence to rear the babies,” adding that customers can only purchase the babies and not the parents. “If you do not have a licence to rear them, you may be issued a summon by the authorities,” said Kho.
An interest from a decade ago
In his younger years, Kho used to be a dog lover. However, a trip into the rainforest for a hike had changed his perspective about pet keeping.
“During my several hikes 15 years ago, I came across a variety of exotic creatures. I became interested because I found them intriguing.”
Kho said that his wife thought they were fascinating as well and that they would explore the wilderness together looking for these creatures.
The two gradually started their collection at home. “When I first started, I only reared turtles and snakes. Then I expanded by importing and rearing exotic animals,” he said.
Despite his enthusiasm dating back more than a decade, Kho’s pet business only opened two years ago.
Kho’s pet shop has one of the biggest, rarest, and cutest exhibits in an effort to introduce his exotic pets to the community.
There is even a gigantic snake weighing 97 kilogrammes that would require several people to carry.
When questioned about his daily schedule with these animals at his pet store, Kho said that they usually open at 9am.
“We’ll then wash their bowls and cut up their meat and vegetables. After that, we feed them. When it’s time for us to leave for home at 7pm, we would clean their plates and make sure everything is tidy. We also clean their glasses,” shared Kho.
Kho bathes the animals on Tuesday and Thursday every week. “I usually set out basins outside the shop, add some soap powder, and then place the reptiles in the basins to wash themselves. If I don’t do this, they’ll get ticks, including the snakes,” he said.
Regarding the food for these animals, Kho would give them kampung chicken and a variety of vegetables. He added that his gigantic snake would consume eight whole chickens per month.
“It also refuses to eat commercial chicken. It prefers kampung chicken, therefore I’ve no choice. If you put the usual chicken in front of it, it will not touch it.”
Kho said that despite the increase in the cost of items, he has no choice but to continue getting them what they want to eat because he must provide for his animals’ nutritional requirements.
And when they are sick, Kho serves as their “pet doctor,” as he has learned via research, advice, and experience how to administer the proper treatments.
Nevertheless, he said that they rarely get sick. “At most, merely a skin infection,” he said.
Kho revealed several upcoming exhibitions in an effort to share his interest with the community.
The display is not to be missed as these animals continue to amaze the public. To find out more about their latest updates, check out their Facebook page, ‘Kho Animals Enterprise.’
Nevertheless, you are welcome to stop by their pet shop as well; every visit will be fun.
