McComb's Animal Kingdom Is a Must Destination for Animal Lovers

For many people, a pet store is simply a place to buy supplies, food, or a new animal to bring home. But at Animal Kingdom, located at 4164 Highway 51 South in McComb, Dustin Hoffman and his girlfriend, Kellie Rushing, are working to build something more: a destination for animal lovers, families, and anyone curious about creatures that they may not see anywhere else. Animal Kingdom opened in September 2024 and will celebrate two years in business this September.

For Hoffman, the journey began long before the doors first opened. When asked what made him want to start a pet store, his answer came back to something simple and sincere: a dream and a lifelong love for animals. That dream did not happen overnight.

Before opening Animal Kingdom, Hoffman spent 10 years working on a tugboat, putting in the time and effort needed to build something of his own. Those years helped make the store possible, turning a personal passion into a place the community can visit, experience, and enjoy. Now, nearly two years later, that dream has become a daily part of life in McComb.

Animal Kingdom is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. During the week, customers can stop in to see a wide variety of animals, many of which are not commonly found in a typical pet store. Hoffman said he wants Animal Kingdom to become a destination location, not just a quick stop.

That goal is easy to understand once visitors step inside. The store focuses on exotics, offering animals that many other pet stores do not carry. From crocodilians to macaws, Animal Kingdom has built its identity around giving people a chance to see and purchase animals that feel rare, unusual, and memorable.

In Hoffman's words, the store has "everything but cats and dogs." That statement captures much of what makes Animal Kingdom stand apart. While many pet stores focus mainly on common household pets, this shop leans into the more exotic side of animal care. It is a place where curiosity matters, where customers can see animals they may have only read about, watched online, or seen from a distance.

But beyond the unusual animals and eye-catching displays, there is also a personal side to the story. When asked about his favorite animal, Hoffman said snakes used to hold that place for him. Before the store opened, snakes were his favorite.

But after spending day after day surrounded by the life, sound, and personality of the shop, that changed. Now, his favorite animals are birds. More specifically, one bird holds a special place in his heart: Lola, a 9-year-old cockatoo.

Lola is more than just a bird in the store. She represents the kind of connection that makes owning and caring for animals meaningful. Birds, especially cockatoos, are known for their personality, intelligence, and emotional presence.

For Hoffman, Lola has become a reminder that animals are not just products or displays. They have character. They form bonds.

They become part of a person's everyday life. That emotional connection is at the center of Animal Kingdom. The store is not only about selling exotic animals.

It is about sharing a love for them. It is about giving people a place to learn, ask questions, and experience animals they may never encounter otherwise. As someone who has visited the store personally, I can say Animal Kingdom is one of the best stores in Mississippi.

Every visit feels like a fun experience, whether you are stopping in to look around, ask questions, or see what new animals are there. The store has a sense of excitement that makes it stand out, and it gives McComb something unique that people of all ages can enjoy. For McComb and the surrounding area, Animal Kingdom brings something different.

It adds a sense of wonder to a local storefront and gives families, animal lovers, and curious visitors a reason to stop by. Whether someone comes in looking for a pet, supplies, or simply to see something new, the store offers an experience that feels personal and memorable. Nearly two years after opening, the business continues to grow from the same dream that started it.

A decade of work on a tugboat helped build the foundation, but a love for animals gave it purpose. At 4164 Highway 51 S, that purpose can be seen in every cage, perch, tank, and conversation. It can be heard in the sounds of birds inside the shop and seen in the animals that make Animal Kingdom unlike most others.

And for Hoffman and Rushing, that is what makes it all worthwhile: building a place where their dream, their love for animals, and the curiosity of the community can all come together.