After owning the business for the past 18 years, Mr Palmer decided it was time to “stay home and watch the grass grow” and sold his beloved pet business to animal lovers Peter and Susan Lawson. 

“Peter will do really well. He knows his animals and has been a customer of ours for years,” he said. 

Mr Lawson used to work in the fisheries industry and has been part of Mudgee Birds and Aquariums customer base for the past 10 years after making an “anti-sea change, a tree change really” to Mudgee.

“I told John I was thinking about opening a pet store in Gulgong but previous businesses haven’t gone that well. John happened to mention he was thinking about selling and the rest of it was just a stroke of luck really,” he said. 

Mudgee Birds and Aquariums will continue to sell various species of birds and fish, pet supplies and products, and pet food for animal lovers around the region.

Mr Lawson said Mr Palmer wouldn’t disappear completely, having agreed to help out when there were staff shortages.

“He’s the bird man of Mudgee. He’ll still be around,” he said. 

Mr Palmer said he would like to thank all of his loyal customers over the years who have helped keep the shop viable.