While there are several respected breeders in the state of Florida, First Coast Hedgehogs is the only north-east Florida breeder. (First Coast is a local nickname for the great city of Jacksonville.) Yes, It is possible to find hedgehogs in Jax area pet stores but the quality, health and pedigree of these animals are questionable - as is the care they recieve while in the pet stores. I have, personally, witnessed improper housing and feeding of hedgehogs at a local pet shop and found the staff unwilling to be educated. So, if you find yourself looking for a hedgehog, I encourage you to consider one of my lovingly-raised babies. If I have no babies available I will be happy to place you on a waiting list. ::sigh:: Where do I begin? The advantage of purchasing from a breeder as opposed to a pet shop are several. Many times pet shops are clueless about the care needed to keep an African Pygmy Hedgehog. They feed the wrong food, the hedgehogs are mite infested, they are kept in mixed gender groups - many times leading to siblings inbreeding with each other. The pregnant babies are then either sold to unwitting owners who end up with an unwanted litter on their hands or the pet shop sells the inbred offspring to the unsuspecting public. Not only can I supply basic care information that a pet shop most often doesn't have, after purchase support is available to help with any problems you may encounter after you've brought you baby hedgie home. I personally have over six years of hedgehog owning experience. If I can't answer your question, I have access to several extremely hedgehog-experienced individuals that can. All First Coast hoglets come with a 6 month health guarantee, a pedigree, a birth certificate with baby pictures and are pre-registered with the IHR - something you will not get from a pet store. If you find you can no longer care for your hedgehog I will take it back. Infact, I insist on it. Finally pet stores are in the business to make a profit. I am not. Because I breed for the love of the species, and nothing more, you can be assured my hedgehogs are not being exploited just for the sake of a few bucks. While I prefer to sell my babies locally I will ship through the airlines, if needed, to all legal states.