Green Tree Pets; Clarksville, Indiana's Family Pet Store

Green Tree Pet Center has provided quality pets and supplies to families in Indiana for over 34 years. Located on Greentree Blvd., the store specializes in fresh and saltwater fish and aquarium life but also offers birds, reptiles, arachnids and small animals.

Owner Brent Poyner began by raising and selling fish to individuals and pet stores as a hobby before opening Green Tree Pet Center in 1973.

"I really enjoy it as a hobby," he said. "I wouldn't want to do anything else."

Poyner said that when helping a family to select a pet, it is important to know if there are children and their ages so he can match them with an appropriate pet.

"That's what's nice about fish," he said. "Everyone from children to senior citizens enjoys watching fish."

They do not sell dogs or cats, but they do work with the Clark County Humane Society, who leave cats at the store for adoption. Green Tree Pet Center also has a jar for donations to the Humane Society in their store. The store also offers a wide variety of pet supplies from equipment like tanks, cages, and accessories to items like bones, flea protection, vitamins and medications to ensure the health and happiness of pets.

Poyner said that many people enjoy pets as a hobby. Some people buy additional tubes and cages for their hamsters and have built whole small cities for them. He said that kids enjoy watching them go through mazes and tubes. People also like to personalize their experiences with fish. Decorations and vegetation can be bought at Green Tree Pet Center in all different colors, shapes and sizes to suit an individual's taste. They even have a selection of Nickelodeon tank decorations for young fish enthusiasts.

Working with pets has been interesting for Poyner. He said that he no longer sells ferrets because one escaped once, turning over every cage in the store, making a large mess . He also said that love bird's are highly intelligent and, after watching the cage doors opened once or twice, learn how to open them and escape.

Poyner said that Green Tree Pet Center is a family store and they think of their customers more like friends, and they have watched many children grow up and return with their own families.

"I've enjoyed the 34 years here, "he said. "And I look forward to hopefully another 34 more."