Village Squire, 1979-01, Page 15Peter Vernon, owner of the Fin 'n Beak, a new pet shop on Hamilton Street in Goderich, examines the
111/2 pound rainbow trout he caught and mounted last year. --Photo by Elaine Townshend
Pets get
in the blood
Love of fish and birds
leads to pet shop
12 Village Squire, January 1979
BY ELAINE TOWNSHEND
Three years ago Peter Vernon left his position as curator of the
fish and bird section of the Blackpool Zoological Gardens in
Blackpool. England. and came to Canada vvith the understanding
he would have a position with the Toronto Metro Zoo. When the
Toronto job did not develop. he and his v: ifc. Jill. settled in
Goderich where some friends of theirs from England lived.
Because jobs in his line of work are scarce in this part of the
country. Peter has been working in quality control at the Bendix
plant in Hensall.
"When you've been around birds and animals most of your
life and worked v.ith them for 10 or 12 gars. it's hard to do
something else." he concedes.
For that reason. he decided to open a pet shop inGoderichthis
fall called the Fin'n Beak. Although he prefers birds. the shop
will specialize in fish because they are easier to import. Besides
fresh water and marine fish. the shop on Hamilton Street vvill
have birds, rodents, and other animals and later may even have
reptiles. One of the special attractions at the shop will be Peter's
own pet piranha.
Peter's only worry is whether pet owners will be
knowledgeable and willing to take proper care of their new pets.
He is willing to give as much advice and supervision as time will
allow to help educate the owners in the proper care of their
animals.
He has a great deal of experience from which to dray: his
advice. He studied for his teacher's certificate at Blackpool
College, majoring in Biology and Zoology. His plans to teach
changed when he attained a position in the bird section of the
nev. Zoological Gardens in his hometown of Blackpool.
The Gardens, especially the Free Flight Bird Hall. is a
"terrific concept" claims Peter. The aviary is as Targe as a
hockey rink. the roof is suspended by air pressure and inside are