I was born in January 1970 in Burnaby, B.C. I’ve been lucky from the beginning, as I was always surrounded by animals. First it was a Budgie named sweetheart, and Missy a Russian Blue Cat. Although like a typical kid, I teased that poor cat, it was obvious from early on that I had an interest in animals.

Throughout my childhood I continued to learn about animals and had begun dreaming of my future with them. One such dream I had in grade 4 was “My Safari Boots”. During the early part of my childhood, the pets and the people in our house continued to grow. We had a Cocker Spaniel, the cat, a cockatiel and my little sister Christie, had a hamster. As well we had 15 fish tanks of African Chicilids. Finally after lots of pestering from me, I was allowed my first pet: Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts. It was at this time, that I started to learn about caring for, and maintaining something that depended on me. (Well, I’m sure both my parents had to help, thanks Mom and Dad.) After several moves through the prairies, our family, plus the dog, and bird, moved back to the Vancouver area in the early 1980’s.

It wasn’t until 1987, that my interest in animals really “took off”, I was given a pair of Tokay Gecko’s, named “Silent and Sam”. Taking care of them made me realize that I had missed having these animals in my life. From there my interest and involvement expanded. Within no time my “pets” had expanded into my “zoo”. I was soon breeding and people were asking my advice. I decided to join various groups involving animals, and I took a job at a pet store, all the while continuing to learn. I became a volunteer at the Vancouver Aquarium in the early 1990’s and learned so much more there. By this time, I had done some writing, educating, breeding and was keeper of numerous species of exotic animals, ranging from Jim, my Iguana, to Sleppy , my Lovebird. Finally, I decided to move to Vancouver to begin concentrating on my business ideas. Deciding to finally get serious about these ideas, I contacted BCIT and was accepted into the BEST program, which helps you turn your business ideas into a proper working business plan. While there, I meet Liz and we clicked instantly. Now Liz is my partner in life and this business venture. Since the course, we have expanded Mike’s Critters to include an Aquarium and Terrarium service, educational and special programs, birthday parties and rentals to the entertainment industry. Our zoo has grown to over a hundred species of animal including Sammy the Senegal Parrot and Curious George our new Chinchilla. We have also just expanded into other areas such as Beneficial Bugs and Pet sitting/Boarding.

We now are looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead and providing these unique, enjoyable and educational services.

While growing up, Liz's family had 4 red-slider turtles and a cat name Lucky. In 1995, Liz had her first pet named Dimples, an African Pygmy Hedgehog. She took good care of the hedgehog until 1998 when she had to give it away to her sister to take care of because of school. In 1999, Dimples passed away from cancer on the nose. Liz was very disappointed with the result of her first pet and she decided not to have another pet of her own until she was fully ready to give the time and responsibility for another animal. Then Mike came around.

Liz met Mike in February of 2001. He talked to her a bit about his business he was pursuing that involved exotic animals. He named his business Mike’s Critters. Mike was half way through completing a program at B.C.I.T. to help him formulate his business idea. She was so interested about his idea that she wanted to help out. Mike invited Liz over to his place to talk more about his business ideas and check out some exotic animals he was collecting. As she walked into Mike’s place, he showed her around and explained every species of exotic animal he had. She was a bit frightened at first, especially with the tarantulas and insects, but Mike was nice enough to tell her ahead of time what animals he had.

In March 2001, Liz went back to school while Mike was still in B.C.I.T. completing his program. She went over to his place occasionally after school to talk more in detail about his business and how to expand it more.

In April 2001, Liz moved in with Mike after her graduation from school to be more involved with his business. Ever since she moved in, the collection of animals grew. Mike and Liz had to move out to a bigger home because the collection was expanding. Mike teaches Liz about certain animals, shows her how to handle and take care of them, and tells her a basic history of each animal so she will have a better understanding.

Liz is now an Assistant for Mike’s Critters. She helps take care of certain animals, mainly exotic birds. She helps hand feed young baby birds like the Kakariki Parrots until they eat seeds and trains them to perch on fingers and perches. She does maintenance for the birds to maintain a clean environment and does daily feedings for the birds and certain other animals. Liz has her personal exotic bird name “Buddy”, a Green Cheeked Conure, and a Black Bear Hamster name “Busta”. You can see her and Buddy under People and Their Pets. She also had a salt-water tank made by Mike for her birthday. You can see her tank under fish tank list.

Liz assists Mike with the animals at events such as birthday parties, special programs, fish tank maintenance, breeding of certain animals, caring for and training of all our animal, rentals to the entertainment world, and school programs. She also helps by driving to the location where the program is, taking out animals, handing them to Mike during the session, and showing them to the group while Mike is answering questions. She enjoys every minute of each program she has been involved with since she has joined Mike’s Critters. Smiles, laughs, and hearing “wows” from children and adults made Liz want to do more programs more often. She is very honoured and proud to have met Mike and be a part of Mike’s Critters.