Critter Hut

04/14/2026

Update: Henri has been found and is safely in the house enjoying her yummies. She was hiding under our chicken coop. Thank you to everyone who reached out with well wishes and advice.

Our cat, Henrietta Pussycat, has gone missing from the Exeter/SK line in the area of Stony Fort Rd/Plantation/Top Hill area. She is sweet, but fearful of strangers. If you see her, please call or text Jeff at 413-3006
Jeffrey Champlin Dánielle LaFleur Champlin

03/27/2026

In Loving Memory of Harley

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Harley, our beloved Catalina macaw, companion, teacher, and the unforgettable mascot of our family’s pet store for over 20 years.

Harley came into our lives as a young bird, originally meant to be re-homed. But it didn’t take long for us to realize something deeper—his intelligence, personality, and spirit made it clear that birds like him were never meant for captivity. From that moment on, our mission changed. Harley would not simply be kept—he would help educate. He became a living example of why animals like macaws belong in the wild, not in cages.
At the heart of Harley’s life was Jackie, our manager, his handler, and without question, his person. Through patience, courage, and an unshakable bond, she became the only one brave enough to truly handle him—especially through his notoriously difficult “teenage years.” Together, they were inseparable. Through three different store locations and decades of change, Jackie and Harley remained a constant—side by side, greeting customers, sparking conversations, and leaving lasting impressions on everyone who walked through our doors at Critter Hut.
As life brought new challenges and eventually led to the closing of our store after more than 40 years, one of the hardest decisions we faced was finding a new home for Harley. After a careful and thoughtful search, we placed him with a family we believed could give him the life he deserved. But fate had other plans. In time, Harley and Jackie found their way back to each other, reuniting in a way that felt nothing short of meant to be.
Harley lived a full and meaningful life—not just as a pet, but as a teacher. Alongside Jackie, he helped educate countless people about the realities of exotic animal ownership, leaving behind a legacy that extended far beyond the walls of our store.
He will be remembered for his vibrant personality, his intelligence, his attitude, and most of all, the bond he shared with the person who understood him best.
Harley was more than a mascot. He was family.
He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

12/24/2025

21 years ago a young fool partnered with the pet store family he was working for and built out Critter Hut NK with the youngest fool of that pet store family, with blood, sweat and a lot of beer to fuel them. In 2020 Critter Hut NK was sold to Adam, who rebranded as A's Aquatics. On A's last day, it seemed only fitting that Jeff took one last step through the back door of the store and closed out Adam's pet store journey with some beer (much less than what built the store! Lol) If there's one thing our family learned when we decided to close Critter Hut , it's that the grass is so much greener when you can go home and leave work at work. Cheers to the big, wide world waiting for you out there, Adam!

12/21/2025

You have 2 days to shop with Adam at A's Aquatics in NK. Adam partnered with Critter Hut to open NK in 2004. His buyout of the NK location was finalized in Feb 2020, at which point he rebranded to A's Aquatics, but "Uncle Adam" will always be a part of the Critter Hut family. Go give him some love. While we miss our customers and employees, closing Critter Hut was the best decision we ever made for our family and our future. There are serious perks to nights and weekends off! Give him words of encouragement when you walk through those doors. And spend as much money there as you possibly can while you can!

Official…Unofficial statement about the rumors of us closing. Unfortunately the rumors are true!
The internet has sealed our fate along with many other small businesses. Tuesday 12/23/25 will be our last day open!

However, THE STORE WILL REMAIN OPEN!
The Fish Bowl in West Warwick is most likely buying us out. Paperwork with lawyers and such are still in the works, so nothing is officially, but 90% happening.

The store will be closed for about 2 weeks for the transition and hopefully reopening under new ownership the second week of January.

We started off as the daughter store of the infamous Critter Hut in 2004 as “Critter Hut NK”.
The Champlins and I built up this store in NK until 2017, when tragedy struck the Champlin family twice within a year! At which it was time for them to step out and focus on the OG Critter Hut in the Wakefield/Narragansett area.

In 2019, I fully took control of the NK store and rebranded it as A’s Aquatics & Pet Store. Sadly, a few years later and after almost 50 years in business! - Critter Hut Aquarium & Pets in Wakefield had to close their doors.

In RI, full-line pet stores with live animals are a dying breed, with several going out of business since COVID. The last few years have been a struggle and with the way this world and economy are changing, small businesses just can’t compete! COVID pushed everyone to shop online and with the rising prices that prevailed, consumers have made it clear that this is the new norm! With this online convenience, our sales have fallen making our business unsustainable.

Maintaining & selling live animals, cost money!
Our time to help and educate you, cost money!
Brick & Mortar to be there for you, cost money!

Thank you to our valued customers for the last 20 years in business (you know who you are!), It’s been a pleasure to meet you, laugh with you, cry with you and watch your kids and pets grow over the years.

Sorry for the expedited departure. If you need any supplies before we say goodbye, feel free to stop in and ask.

Thank you,
Adam & My Outstanding Employees

10/31/2025

In honor of Halloween, we wanted to bring back these gems. We hope you and your pets have a howling good time!

06/14/2025

If you were a Critter Hut customer, you remember Anderson, our resident fish tank cleaner who could often be found learning the trade from his dad, Jeff. Today, he and the class of 2025 graduated from Exeter-West Greenwich High School. While crossing the stage, he honored his Grampy (Bob), his Uncle Will and his great Uncle Eddie (Kit's brother.) He was blessed to learn a strong work ethic within the four walls of Critter Hut. Though the store is closed, the lessons live on. Congrats to all of the classes of 2025. The future is bright!

10/10/2024

Tomorrow is the night! Doors open at 5, the competition at 6. The 10 victims, I mean contestants, have been selected. Now we get to watch the torture! Join our family in supporting the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. There will be some awesome raffles, food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to purchase from Hank's Down South BBQ & Catering Services and Shaidzon Beer. T
Raffle ticket sales end at the 7th wing, and winners will be announced at the end of the evening. Venmo or cash will be accepted for raffle tickets. Recommended cash or Venmo donation at the door. See you there!

10/02/2024

Be sure to mark your calendars! Join the Champlin family on October 11th to watch the fun as Arnold Lumber and Shaidzon Beer Co. team up to raise money for Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. Interested in trying to earn a spot on stage to compete in the challenge? There's still time! Registration closes this Friday.

09/24/2024

📢🩷📢🩷The information you've been waiting for is finally here📢🩷📢🩷

You've missed Jeff and his fish geek knowlege? This is your chance to see him, and maybe get both fish and stone info out of him after the event 😃

Registration is now open! The top 10 fundraisers will be on stage answering questions from the MC while trying to beat the heat on increasingly hot wings.

Raise funds alone or as a group. Do you have what it takes to win the challenge? Increase your chances of making it to the stage by gathering a group to fundraiser with you. Have as many people as you want help you raise money, but only 1 person from the group can be selected to compete.

Whether you choose to compete or just want to watch, it's going to be a great night as Arnold Lumber and Shaidzon Beer Co. join forces yet again to raise funds for Gloria Gemma Foundation! Don't worry, the spectators won't be left hungry. Hank's Down South BBQ & Catering Services will have their truck there with some delicious options to purchase.

Who's the MC, you ask? None other than our favorite ginger-bearded man, Jeff Champlin!

All ages are welcome to attend, but only 18+ can participate in the challenge. Date night, friend night, just to get out night... whatever night it is for you, come spend it with us to help raise funds for this wonderful organziation! See you on October 11th!

Registration for our annual Hot Wings Challenge is now Live!! Follow the Link in our Bio to be directed to the registration form! We are very excited to see who can Handle The Heat!!

Rules are as follows:
-Each potential contestant will work to find pledges - Goal is $150

-Top 10 Fundraisers qualify for a seat at the Hot Wings Challenge Table

-All Fundraisers over $50 will receive an official Hot Wings T-Shirt

-Participants must be registered by Friday, October 4th

-General Liability waiver must be signed and handed in with Registration

Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
Shaidzon Beer Co.
RI Mushroom Co.
Hank's Down South BBQ & Catering Services