I came back from the White Plains reptile show with a heavy heart today. As Chris and I sought out our usual vendors, we were astonished to see that Russ of R&T Pet Supply was not there in his usual spot. The last time we went to the show in July, he was there and seemed fine. We actually called his shop as we are pretty loyal customers, and found out the news that he passed recently. After doing an internet search, we found out that he had an aggressive case of stage 4 lung cancer that metastasized to his pelvis.
We have done business with Russ for years. We have visited his shop in College Point, NY and have had many conversations with him about animal welfare. He was never out to gouge customers and truly wanted the best for animals and the people who care for them. I personally grew fond of him through my interactions. Honest and honorable people are hard to find these days and he was one of them, a very special person indeed. Our trips to the reptile show will never be the same. R.I.P. Russ. I will miss you.
For those looking for pets, I know his wife is struggling to rehome some of the special needs animals (dogs) in their rescue now that they only have one income. If you are thinking about adopting please check out their page: http://laurenzavlunov.wix.com/helprelocate
Also, please patronize their store if possible: https://www.facebook.com/RandTHolisticPetSupply
In the words of my husband, Chris, “The reptile community has lost a great friend.”
Ash
Chris
Chris and Ash: Discussions of Exotic Species and Average House Cats 
We were heart broken to read your post about Russ. We’ve been using Rand T for years to buy our dog supplies and have spent many hours in wonderful conversation with both Russ and Terry. We’ve been unable reach the store for a couple of weeks now and were getting concerned. Trying to find another way to contact them we came upon your post. Do you know of any other way to contact Terry?? We would really like to express our condolences to her. Thank you.
Sorry for the late reply! Russ’s son just replied to this thread I hope that you can reach out to him. The day that we were at the Reptile Show and didn’t see Russ up top in his usual spot, we had asked around.
When we heard that Russ passed, we genuinely grieved. Russ was a really good friend to pet people and their pet’s. He went so far as to one time lug an order downtown to his day job in NYC where I picked up the supply from him one day. A true gentlemen through and through with a kind heart. My wife cried the whole way home and we are still saddened to this day.
Hey, thanks again for the kind words it really means a lot to me. I just saw the other comment, and it also warmed my heart. I wish I could say more about the store, but sadly my dad’s passing coincided with the heat of my first year of grad school so I’ve been largely out of the loop since it happened. That being said, I reached out to terri and I’m sure she appreciates your kind words as much as I do. I used to work at the reptile shows with my dad (about 5 years ago now) before I left for college and although it was always long days, it was always some of the most rewarding work because of the customers like you guys sending such positive feedback. His passing still shocks me as I am sure it still seems surreal to you guys but nothing makes me more proud then knowing he loves on through the people and animals he’s helped.
Noah
Chris, this is Russ’s wife, Terri. Omg what a sweet and kind post you have done. I am only seeing it now all these months later after stumbling across it while in the midst of looking for something else unrelated. Thank you so much, it is wonderful to read such kind, warm and gentle words. It is coming up on a year soon, and it is still a painful shock that hasn’t really faded. Please facebook me and/or email me so we can talk and I can thank you personally. Thank you so much again.
Frank and Kimberly, thank you so much, I know it has been some time since you posted this, I am just seeing this now, I stumbled on this page while looking for something else and want to thank you so very very much. It is going on a year now, but it is still very raw. Please facebook message me or email me here, I would love to reconnect again!
Hi Terri…Even though I told you how sorry I was to hear so late of Russell’s passing, I need you to know how truly sorry I have been not only for your loss, the family and the community’s loss…we hadn’t spoken for years because of words we passed on between us…and you may not ever think that I, ever got over it; I didn’t; If we could have had more time to talk in the laundromat , I would have hugged you, cried and told you how deeply sorry after all these years I missed coming into your store to shop, see your pets and get the best advice from two very animal oriented husband and wife. but I didn’t….I’m thankful that I did get to say how sorry I was for all of what happened and wished I could have reversed so many years … but I never got to tell you that…I would have truly enjoyed helping you with your pets and whatever else you needed. I know you have many friends and family who love you but I’m a giver…..and if I could give and help now, nothing more would delight me than that…I hope its not too late to be friends because I truly am so so sorry for everything; You are an amazing woman, private, mature, wisdom beyond many, and if I could only tell you how I respect who you are I could never have enough time to finish….countless times I would see you walking your precious dogs and wanted to call to you and say, forgive me, please forgive me, but I thought you just hated me and I’d step back; The times I did come into your store Russell would be there and help me with medicine, give me points on feeding baby birds and point me in the direction of the best food for my pets….I can only say some of the good times when we did communicate, you would be with you Mom in the laundromat, and I always admired your tattoos. Now I just saw a fundraiser for you on Indiegogo; I never knew it was there bc I dont frequent that amount of time on the computer because I’m working two jobs to help support my pets and so many strays. We do what we have to do to survive, we struggle, its tough, sometimes we feel like we just cant go on and make another day, but God gives us our path; Terri, forgive me, reach out to me because I can honestly say, for years I have ached inside for something so minor but at that time, it seemed so important, and it wasn’t…..as you said to me a few months ago, we must have been going through some of our own tough times and just snapped at each other; I am here for you, I can help you with anything, and I’d be grateful and honored to have you need my help even though I know you are a tough cookie, stand alone, are reserved and quite on the sidewalks of College Point….but I do respect you….You are an icon of strengh even though I’m sure at times you wanted to break but you were not created to “Break” but be “Whole”. Your friend always Roseanne Gianno em: TheLastRose7@aol.com……on facebook. or kittyrose107@aol.com My one hope for whatever time I have left on this earth would be to be contacted by you because of you strength, your kindness towards Gods creatures and for the person you are. Thank you for talking to me, I have never forgotten it.
Hi, I am Russell’s son, Noah. I stumbled upon this today and wanted to express my thanks for writing such kind words about my father. He was taken away too soon, but it warms my heart to know he lives on through people like you.
@Noah we really do miss your dad, we’ve been avoiding the shows recently as it isn’t the same without him there. I know that there are a ton of people there who feel the same way, except a couple of the price gouging vendors that your dad would have wars with! = )
I remember that ! The stuffed animal guy in particular!
Terri, You and Russ were always warm and generous to me and my two children. I am so sorry to hear about your loss–truly a loss to all in the pet/reptile community. I am here today because I blew a bulb and always kept your phone number when and if I needed anything. Needless to say, I was surprised when i called and heard the number out of order and so I went online to find this sadness. It has been years since I went to a show, the kids are now away in college but I remember Russ and how nice he was to me out of all those vendors at the show—he will be missed!–Glenn Kessler