IT ALL started when lawyer Aaron Mark Pius, 31, got himself his first exotic pets – a chinchilla and a prairie dog – and set them up in a cosy hutch in his garage, at his home in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam.

It wasn’t long before the charm of his adorable companions extended beyond the confines of his home.

Every evening, when Pius took his adorable furry friends out for some playtime, the sight of these cute animals never failed to captivate passersby, especially children.

“They would intentionally walk past my house to catch a glimpse of my pets; and some kids would even guide their parents to jog or walk there so they could stop to get a closer look,” Pius fondly recalls, reflecting on the magnetic allure his unconventional furry companions had on the neighbourhood children.

It was then that Pius realised that he had to venture out of his garage (literally) and into a bigger space so more visitors would benefit.

“The joy and happiness my two exotic pets brought to those children, especially during the tough times of Covid19 lockdowns back in 2020, inspired me to open a proper educational and entertainment centre where they can play and learn about these animals,” he says.

Fast forward to four years later, Pius has exceeded his initial mission. He moved back to his home state, Sabah, and resumed his practice while establishing two spaces that allow the public to interact with exotic animals – Mark Baba Pets Farm and Exotics, hailed as one of Sabah’s exotic pet farms, and The Noah, a pet cafe. Both are located in Donggongon, Penampang, a 30minute drive from the state capital, Kota Kinabalu.

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