If you’ve ever had a kid beg for a turtle or fancy an iguana, you might have found yourself in the market for an exotic pet. But it can definitely be a bit more involved than your standard dog or cat! It’s a topic we tackled in the May 2015 issue of Metro Parent.
And while our CoverKid Holden, 10, of Romeo is definitely a cat kid – his favorite memory is adopting his rescue kitty, Finn – he definitely impressed our team by being totally chill with the likes of lizards, fluffy little sugar gliders and even a hairy tarantula crawling all over his shirt!
Check out our story about the pros and cons of getting an exotic pet for your family, with plenty of awesome advice from Lou’s Pet Shop in Grosse Pointe Woods (also where all these cool creatures are from). Then, check out Holden’s take on all those wacky critters, including his least favorite, the komono dragon (a “wee bit feisty” for his taste) and favorite – that slithering snake!
For a second year, Metro Parent teamed up with MESP (that’s the Michigan Education Savings Plan) to host our CoverKids contest – and invest in local kids’ futures. Think of MESP as a 401(k), only for your child’s college, vs. your retirement. The money you put in it is tax-free, thanks to its federal “529” status. You can start one up with just $25, and contribute as little as $15 per pay period. There’s no limit to how much you add annually, though the max account balance is $235,000. Your kid can ultimately use the cash for tuition, room and board, and other college costs.
Interested in your kid being on the cover of Metro Parent magazine? Check out the Metro Parent CoverKids page. The 2015 deadline was March 31, but keep an eye out for details on the winners – and the 2016 competition.
