I want to open a pet store within the next 6 Years ......

[jkbudde14]

I want to open a pet store in the next 6 years !

Can anyone help me !!!

I will have :

1) Tropical & Marine Fish
2) Reptiles ( NOT SNAKES OF ANY KIND!!!)
3)Small Animals
4) Cats
5) Dogs
6) Hermit Crabs

** If anyone thinks of anything i will add it to the list thanks **

[jkbudde14]

Maybe Some Birds too!

[Punkygirl0101]

If you are going to be having cats and dogs in your pet shop, than you will be disliked among animal lovers. Cats and dogs that go to pet stores come from puppy and kitten mills where they are overbred and pretty much tortured so they can make money by sending them to pet stores, where pet stores can make money.

Selling animals to make a living is not very nice...

[jkbudde14]

If you are going to be having cats and dogs in your pet shop, than you will be disliked among animal lovers. Cats and dogs that go to pet stores come from puppy and kitten mills where they are overbred and pretty much tortured so they can make money by sending them to pet stores, where pet stores can make money.

Selling animals to make a living is not very nice...

I'm not going to have cats & dogs unless they are bred my my store or the public NOT the mills !!!

[Punkygirl0101]

Pet stores that BREED their own dogs and cats are also IRRESPONSIBLE. The ONLY reason to breed a dog is to BETTER the breed, and that cannot be done by someone who owns a pet store. People who LOVE a certain breed and want to better it, breeds dogs. They also have a waiting list, and don't just sell their puppies to whoever wants it.

Dogs and cats are VERY overpopulated, why would you want to contribute to that?

[jkbudde14]

Ok I won't!

[Rachy1412]

Why can't you be a petshop that just sells objects rather than animals, sell GOOD quality food, safe treats and toys and large cages. Any animal you sell you would be making the overpopulation problem worse!

[tvrodents]

Good luck with your future business, i hope you succeed. I agree with punky regarding breeding dogs and cats but I intend to breed my own small furries for my pet shop when I have premises (i have been breeding very carefully for years anyway so I know what I'm doing) I want to get away from the idea that animals sold to pet shops are crappy little things bred by BYB's as this forum fondly referres to them. I want to be able to show the customer the animals parents, its siblings, its blood lines and I want to be able to meet every new owner. Perhaps you could do the same. Please bear in mind that breeding is a HUGE task and can be complicated from the point of view of genetics. You cannot breed unless you know this stuff in my opinion. If you dont think you can take in all the info or offer enough space, find yourself a reliable breeder and use them as a supplier. Just be careful.

Kat

[Rachy1412]

Petshop animals are not "crappy", they are inbred but not "crappy." We do not hate petshop animals, I feel sorry for them. tvrodents, I have NEVER EVER come across a petshop that would be willing to show me the breeders, most petshops don't care for the welfare just the money.

[ylrebmik]

Change. In order for something to change... people have to do something about it. There are special interests groups making sure Christmas trees aren't at National places... people should be making a movement/ special interest group to ban mills, gassing animals, put more stop to animal abuse and shut down these places. Nothing is going to change unless we make it.

[Rainbow]

A suggestion should you want to sell cats and dog in your pet store: How about contacting your local SPCA or shelter and work with them. The cats and dogs you'd have in the store would come from the shelter, all the money would go to the shelter just as if they were bought directly there.

That way you can sell cats and dogs, and you might give more visibility to some of the animals because a lot of people don't go to shelters.

[rodentz]

If you want to have cats and dogs why dont you locate an adoption center IN your store like mounds. and I agree with selling food, treats, pet clothes, accesories. :)

[MokeyBird]

I have harbored such thoughts. What I would have for the dogs, should there be any, would that they be walked at every shift change. Customize a track around the outside of the shop or parking lot(care must be taken with that for safety/insurance reasons). Make sure the employees have the knowledge to handle a dog properly before alowing them to take a dog out. Never have more than your employees can handle. Never hire anyone just wanting a "cool and easy job." Make them work, not just shovel fish into baggies and hang out playing on the computer or chatting. Make sure employees have the knowledge and confidence to handle the other animals you might offer before letting them handle them. There is nothing worse than watching a person scared of mice trying to pick one up and put it in a box. What I would like to see, and would have, would be a veritable library of pet related books.

Personally, what I would shoot for would be being more of a pet supply store than a pet supplier. Know-what-I-mean?

[ylrebmik]

yes i know what you mean.

I agree- you HAVE to have a knowledgeable staff. I HATE going into a pet store...asking the person a question for fun and them not knowing. They shouldn't be working there if they don't know simple questions.