New Dillon pet store features dozens of exotic animals

DILLON, Mont. — Dillon may be home to the beavers, but one entrepreneur has brought dozens of new species to town. As a new store called The Pet Works has made quite the splash, providing exotic habitats in the old theatre building downtown after extensive renovations.

“There was severe water damage in here, there was drywall missing. It was a complete basket case in here,” said The Pet Works general manager Micah Dolim.

Now that it’s good as new, the theatre has a different kind of entertainment. Think snakes, spiders, chinchillas, and a whole lot more, as The Pet Works in Dillon has over 100 animals on display, with a focus on those that have a low surrender rate.

“Very heavy on the creepy crawlies. We’re about to launch our fish, should have a fully stocked aquatic section. Small animals are coming soon, lots of reptiles. A little bit of everything,” said Dolim.

Each species has a star rating, ranging from five stars, like a poisonous scorpion, being those that are hardest to take care of, all the way down to one-star animals, like the giant African millipede, which are the easiest to maintain.

“We can get you into an inexpensive tarantula or an inexpensive reptile somewhere in the $30-$50 range. Generally, with lighting, everything that’s necessary, we’re in the $100 and up range. It kind of really depends on what you want,” said Dolim.

And it’s not just Dillon people checking out pet works, as there are no stores like it within a more than a 100-mile radius.

“We consistently have people coming down from Anaconda and Butte,” said Dolim. “We also have people coming up from Idaho Falls. People are traveling from hours away to come visit us here.”

Whatever you’re looking for, Dolim and his staff will find a fit for you, with financial commitment, maturity, and experience with pets all being weighed.

“Then we just kind of work through what we have available. And we also do special orders. So, if there’s a specific pet someone has in mind, I can definitely get that for them,” said Dolim, noting that for animals with a higher surrender rate, he wants to ensure the owner is qualified and capable before placing an order.

And although they don’t have cats or dogs, they have partnered with the local shelter to host with adoption events, and have supplies and a self-serve dog wash in store.

“There was another self-serve dog wash in town that was really popular. It closed unexpectedly, leaving a bit of a vacuum in town. The people of Dillon are extremely excited about the dog wash,” said Dolim.

The store also has a small plant section, and Dolim says they are working on a partnership with Plantosaurus Rex in Butte to host events together showcasing plants and pets.

And the inventory at the Dillon shop continues to grow as they near their one-year anniversary next month, when they’ll have their grand opening celebration.

“Additionally, I’d like to open another 3-5 stores around the region. From Idaho Falls to Helena and places in between,” said Dolim when asked about longer-term goals.

For the latest on Pet Works Dillon, you can follow them on Facebook.