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After nine months at its new location in Poland, Mr. Drew and His Animals Too will close its doors for good Oct. 31, owner Drew Desjardins said in a Facebook post.

Desjardins posted the news Wednesday morning calling it a “very difficult decision.”

“So this is where we are at — sad, anxious and heavy hearted, but I can say with confidence, that we are very proud of what we created and accomplished and there will be no other place like it,” he wrote.

Desjardins announced in May 2025 that his collection of more than 200 rescued reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and more would be moving to Poland after his lease was not renewed at the Lewiston Mall.

The public education exhibit, which included hands-on experiences and a geological center with gemstones, bones and fossils, officially opened in Poland in early January.

According to the Facebook post, several factors played into this decision to close the Poland location, including the financial stress of moving from Lewiston.

He had hoped the new location would draw people to that area.

“We love having a facility as it was a dream come true and we truly wanted to make Poland a destination rather than a drive-through community, with the education center to be around for generations to come, far beyond myself, but alas, that will not be,” he wrote.

Desjardins made it clear they are not seeking donations to keep going.

“Please know Mrs. Drew and I have accepted this decision and we are NOT seeking a ‘Hail Mary’, any public financial support or a GoFundMe,” Desjardins wrote. “We accept the facts the economy is bad and simply put, we are not business people, we simply care about our animals and making people happy in this sad world we are living in.”

While the Poland location is closing, Desjardins plans to continue traveling the state with a mobile exhibit as he has done in the past. Much of his collection will stay with the family at their Poland home, while others will go to educational facilities and sanctuaries Desjardins trusts, he said.

“I am continuing to book birthdays, public schools, homeschools, community events, Scouting and more,” he wrote.

Until the closing, Mr. Drew and His Animals Too will be open every day through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fans of Mr. Drew’s were commenting on the post Wednesday.

“Your effect has been undeniable,” a resident of Dresden Mills wrote. “Education, respect, humor. I cherish my trip to your place. You helped me with fear of spiders! I held your tarantulas!”

“Encounters with snakes at Mr. Drew’s led me to want to foster with HerpHaven Reptile Rescue and Sanctuary and ultimately adopt a hognose!” wrote another resident.

“The educational outreach is at the heart of your program,” one fan wrote. “We had the pleasure of your company a few years ago at the Arts Center in Waterville. It was an amazing experience and many of us were transformed to an appreciation of animals we had formerly been afraid of.”