Pet Setup & Readiness Consulting

Pet ownership should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

You've got 50 open tabs, three contradictory Reddit threads, and a YouTube video telling you something completely different. I'll cut through all of it and give you one clear, realistic plan built around your actual life.

Albino boa constrictor
Albino Boa Constrictor
Crested gecko
Crested Gecko
Orchid mantis
Orchid Mantis
Who this is for
First-time pet owners Parents helping kids choose a pet Exotic & unusual species Overwhelmed researchers New setups & enclosures Common pets too

The Process

Simple from start to finish.

No forms before you're ready. No pressure. Just a clear path from confused to confident.

1

Book Your Session

Choose the service that fits your situation and fill out a short intake form so I know where you're starting from.

2

Complete the Intake Form

A few quick questions about your household, budget, and what you're hoping for. Takes about 3 minutes.

3

We Talk It Through

A real voice conversation. No scripts, no upselling. Just honest answers to your specific situation.

4

Walk Away With a Plan

Clear recommendations, realistic expectations, and the confidence to move forward. Written summary included with most sessions.

Veiled chameleon
Veiled Chameleon
Leopard gecko
Leopard Gecko
Hognose snake
Hognose Snake
African bullfrog
African Bullfrog
African pygmy hedgehog
African Pygmy Hedgehog
Goslings
Goslings
Baby chicks
Baby Chicks

Services

Pick what you actually need.

Every session is a real conversation, not a pre-recorded course or a generic checklist.

Pet Match Consultation

What Pet Is Actually Right for Me?

You know you want a pet. You just don't know which one. We talk through your life first, then I give you real suggestions that fit it.

  • Your schedule, space, and energy level
  • Budget and household realities
  • Interactive vs hands-off preferences
  • 2–3 personalized pet suggestions
  • Honest pros and cons for each
$35–55 CAD / 20–30 min voice call

Quick Reality Check

Is This the Right Pet for Me?

A fast, focused call to answer the most important questions before you commit to anything.

  • Is this pet actually a good fit for your life?
  • Realistic time commitment
  • True startup and monthly costs
  • Biggest beginner mistakes
  • My honest recommendation
$20–35 CAD / 15–20 min voice call

★ Most Popular

Full New Pet Plan

The full picture. We go deep on everything you need to set your new animal up for a great life, and you get it all in writing afterward.

  • Custom enclosure guidance
  • Diet and feeding overview
  • Daily care and cleaning expectations
  • Handling and interaction guidance
  • Shopping recommendations
  • Monthly cost breakdown
  • Written action plan after the call
$60–120 CAD / 45–60 min call + written summary

Enclosure Review

Is My Setup Actually Good?

Send me photos of your current enclosure and we'll talk through what's working, what isn't, and how to make it better without necessarily spending more money.

  • Layout and space assessment
  • Enrichment suggestions
  • Safety and hazard check
  • Practical improvement ideas
$25–50 CAD / photos + voice consult

Husbandry Review

Something's Off. What Am I Missing?

You can't put your finger on it, but your animal isn't acting like itself. Appetite changed, behaviour is off, something just feels wrong. I'll help you work through what you're seeing systematically and tell you honestly whether it needs a vet or whether there's something in the care we can fix.

  • Walk through current setup, diet, and routine
  • Identify common husbandry issues that mimic illness
  • Stress, shedding, seasonal, and environmental factors
  • Clear next steps — adjust care or see a vet
  • No guessing, no forum rabbit holes
$35–60 CAD / 20–30 min voice call

First Month Support

Have Backup for 30 Days

New animals come with new questions. This package gives you an initial consult plus ongoing message support so you're not left guessing when something unexpected happens.

  • Full initial consult included
  • 30 days of message support
  • Questions and adjustments as you go
  • Reasonable response time guaranteed
$75–150 CAD / consult + 30-day support

New Pet Prep

Get Everything Ready Before It Arrives

You've committed to the animal. Now let's make sure the setup is actually ready before it walks through the door. We go through everything together so day one isn't a scramble.

  • Enclosure setup walkthrough
  • Full shopping and equipment checklist
  • What to have on hand before pickup day
  • Quarantine and settling-in guidance
  • First 48 hours — what to expect
$40–70 CAD / 30–40 min voice call

Kid's First Pet

Help Me Choose the Right Pet for My Kid

For parents who want to make a good decision before they end up solely responsible for an animal their child swore they'd take care of. Honest, age-appropriate, and no judgment.

  • Age-appropriate species suggestions
  • Who is actually going to care for this animal
  • Realistic handling and interaction expectations
  • True cost of ownership, startup and ongoing
  • What to avoid and why
$35–55 CAD / 20–30 min voice call

Rescue & Rehome Intake

I've Taken In an Animal With Unknown History

You've adopted, rescued, or inherited an animal and you're not sure what you're working with. Unknown age, unknown care, possibly stressed. Let's figure out where to start.

  • Assess what you can see — condition, behaviour, setup
  • Likely history and what it means for care
  • Immediate priorities vs. long-term adjustments
  • Quarantine and reintroduction guidance
  • When to get a vet involved
$40–65 CAD / 25–35 min voice call

Species Deep Dive

I Want to Go Deep on One Topic

You already have your animal and you know the basics. This session is for going deep on one specific area — diet, enrichment, behaviour, lighting, breeding triggers, whatever you actually need to understand better.

  • Your choice of focus topic
  • Species-specific, not generic
  • Current best practice, not outdated care sheets
  • Practical takeaways you can act on immediately
$35–60 CAD / 20–30 min voice call

About

I've kept a lot of animals.

My name is Theresa Braun and I'm based in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. I've been keeping animals for most of my life — everything from the common to the genuinely unusual — and I've learned that the gap between "what the internet says" and "what actually works" can be enormous, and sometimes harmful.

I started this because I kept seeing new owners set up their animals based on outdated forum posts or five-minute YouTube videos, only to end up confused, frustrated, or worse, dealing with a sick animal. You deserve better information than that, and you deserve it from someone who's actually been there.

I also have a background in medical and first responder work, which means I think about animal health in a methodical, practical way. I know when something is urgent and when it's not, and I'll tell you straight.

This is educational consulting, not veterinary care. For medical concerns, always see a vet. But for everything leading up to that — and most of what happens day to day — I'm here.

A note on scope This is educational consulting only. I do not provide veterinary advice, behavioural diagnosis, emergency medical guidance, or breeding consultation. For any health concern, please contact a licensed veterinarian in your area.

Species I've kept personally

RatsMiceHamstersGerbilsGuinea PigsHedgehogsRabbitsDogsCatsHorsesDonkeysBall PythonsBoa ConstrictorsCorn SnakesHognose SnakesChameleonsBearded DragonsLeopard GeckosCrested GeckosOther GeckosTortoisesToadsTree FrogsAfrican BullfrogsTarantulasJumping SpidersHuntsman SpidersScorpionsPraying MantidsLand SnailsFreshwater FishSaltwater FishChickensDucksGeeseTurkeysQuailPigeonsGuinea FowlPeacocksEmusBudgiesCockatielsCanaries

Don't see your animal? Reach out anyway. This list isn't exhaustive.

Emperor scorpion
Emperor Scorpion
Crested gecko
Crested Gecko
White's tree frogs
White's Tree Frogs
Huntsman spider
Huntsman Spider
White's tree frog
White's Tree Frog

What Clients Say

Real people, real results.

Testimonials coming soon. If you've had a session and want to share your experience, reach out at exotickeeperconsulting@gmail.com

FAQ

Quick answers.

Do you do video calls?

Voice calls are the primary format. If you'd like a video call for an enclosure review, we can arrange that depending on the situation.

Do you work with common pets like dogs and cats?

Yes. The focus is on exotic and unusual animals because that's where the information gap is biggest, but I'm happy to help with any pet that's legal in Canada.

Do you guarantee outcomes?

No. I can give you the best information available and a realistic plan, but animals are individuals and no one can guarantee a specific outcome.

Can you help me pick supplies and products?

Yes. Shopping recommendations are part of most sessions. I'll tell you what's actually worth buying and what you can skip.

Do you work with clients outside Canada?

Yes, sessions are fully remote and I work with clients worldwide. Just be aware that product availability and species legality vary by region.

What if I just have a quick question?

The Quick Reality Check is designed for exactly that — a short focused call to get you a real answer fast. $20–35 CAD for 15–20 minutes.

Is this veterinary advice?

No. This is educational consulting only. For any health concern with your animal, please contact a licensed veterinarian. I will always tell you clearly when something needs a vet.

What does the 30-day support package actually include?

An initial consult plus reasonable messaging support for 30 days. This is not unlimited 24/7 texting — it's thoughtful, responsive support as you settle in with your new animal.

Book a Session

Let's talk about your animal.

Fill out the form and I'll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your session. Not sure which service fits? Just describe your situation and we'll figure it out.

Your request is on its way. I'll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your session. Talk soon.

Prefer to reach out directly?

Feel free to email or call. I'm a real person and I actually pick up.

Before your session

After you book, you'll receive a short intake form by email. It takes about 3 minutes and helps me come prepared so we can spend our time actually talking about your animal instead of covering basics.

Based in PEI, serving worldwide.

I'm in Stratford, Prince Edward Island, but sessions are fully remote and I work with clients across Canada, the US, and internationally.