The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 28, 1995 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Looking for a different pet? By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star David Ennis leans on a shelf by the tarantula aquarium, and gazes lov- ingly around the room filled with his exotic pets. "I've always loved ani- mals," he says. "I got my first aquarium when I was about seven years old." That first aquarium contained a school of gup- pies, the tiny fish that so many kids adopt as their first pet charges. David re- calls when the inevitable occurred: the guppies started reproducing, and suddenly his aquarium be- came the setting for him to witness the miracle of David Ennis gingerly holds a baby caiman, a native of the South American rain forest, at his Utica-area home. Township of Scugog Fire Department Part-Time Firefighters Part-time firefighters are required for Station 1 ' (Port Perry) and Station 2 (Caesarea) Applicants must: -be at least 18 years of age -possess a current valid Ontario driver's permit -Be able to successfully complete both written and physical testing as required by the dept. Previous applicants are welcome to re-apply. Full training and equipment is supplied to all successful candidates Employment to commence January 1996 Closing Date - December 13, 1995 Application Forms are available at: Station #1, 30 Crandell St., Port Perry, LIL 1J6 Monday-Friday 9:00am to 12:30pm Township of Scugog Municipal Offices Clerk's Department 208 North St., P.O. Box 780, Port Perry, LOL 1A7 requires or birth. "I ran out and told all my friends about what had happened," he says. "I was such a proud fa- ther." As his hobby continued, David, now 42, discovered that the world of reptiles and fish extended well be- yond pet shops and rec room aquariums. He found, while poking around on long summer days, that the rocks and woods around his cottage were alive with the kind of critters that folks lined up to buy in the pet shops. "When I went into the pet store, I noticed quite a few of the things they had I could find at the cottage," he said. I became a bit of an entrepreneur, and be- gan trading things I found at the cottage with the pet store." It was the beginning of a life-long pursuit for David, who now raises, sells, and trades exotic pets like iguanas, geckos, boas and even tarantulas. He's just moved to a home in the south end of Scugog Town- ship from Aurora, and is setting up shop here to continue with his pursuit. He's made it his job not only to sell people exotic pets, but to educate them about the creatures that for many evoke the willies. "There are a lot of myths about reptiles," he says. "That's what fear is: False information we've ac- quired, and been taught. "I'minto education." That's why he takes time to talk with people 1.20% Ontario Hydro Provincially Guaranteed \ Maturing Oct. 15, 2002* 5 bo On, 1 il " i How about reptiles? God JEFF MITCHELL/PORT PERRY STAR BUT IS HE CUDDLY?...This iguana is just one of the many unusual and wonderful creatures at the Utica-area home of David Ennis. He's set up shop in hopes of trading and selling exotic pets, but also wants to provide information on reptiles. He says they make great pets, and can provide owners with good company. David added there are many myths surrounding reptiles, most of them based on fear and misinformation. about their desires to buy, say, an iguana, or a snake, or even a big, hairy spider. He wants people to care for and enjoy their pets, not just let them languish in a corner aquarium. "If they're just going to go home and put them in a box, that's no good," he says. He contends that the animals with which he deals can be great com- panions, even if they're not cuddly and furry. Iguanas, forinstance. "You can take them out, and handle them," David says. "Iguanas are friend- ly, and they're vegetari- ans." And, like all creatures great and small, they've got feelings. "They're like dogs and cats," David contends. "You can tell when your pet doesn't want to be picked up." And the benefits of own- ing and caring for a reptile are not unlike having a dog romping around the house. * Annual compound rates as of November 24, 1995. Subject to change and availability. Minimum investment $5,000. yr. Tyr. GICs Gov't Backed Bonds 9.950% 9.97% 6.125% 6.31% 6.75% 1.25% at eee ee eee ate Call Marilyn Goodhand at 1-800-252-8565 for complimentary information on how to maximize your investment income. FORTUNE FINANCIAL 500 Brock St. S.; Whitby IRIN | | | | | | | | L S5yr. |i | ( [ | | | "I think any pet, wheth- er it's a reptile or not, first of all, you're going to live longer," he says, noting that contact with animals has been shown to reduce blood pressure, and relax people. And then there's the pleasure of interacting with a being that doesn't condemn or criticize. "An iguana's not going to yell at you, or say, hey, your shirt's ripped." And despite what might be thought, the pet trade is good for exotic animals, too, says David. Breeding in captivity and careful capture in their native en- vironment has ensured the survival of some spe- cies, and actually cut down on poaching. David is set up near Uti- ca, and ready to do busi- ness with anyone in the area looking to buy or trade exotic pets. You can reach him at 985-1557. . " . jis Shapers Supls 8 Sing Along Messiah You are a part of the chorus when you join the Uxbridge Mesh Singers together witlf a Baroque style orchestra and accomplished soloists for an exciting afternoon performing Handel's most famous oratorio. Dec. 10, 1995 Trinity United Church First Ave., Uxbridge AT 2:00PM Register at 1:00pm - $15.00 or save $5.00 Register now - only $10.00 n/c child care & rental scores on request when registering. Observers $5.00 Seniors & under 10 - Free Ample room - All Welcome Register today (905) 852-7433 gv pe -