Rescue, petsupplies, and....

[Denikka]

Ok, here's the deal. Right now I'm in grade 11 and for about the past year I have been actively persuing avenues towards my goals.
Basically I want to run a rodent and reptile rescue. I understand that for the most part, rescues are self defeating financially. So because of this, I also want to do other things to help with this. There will be me and 2 other people involved in this venture.
So here's my rundown of what i want to do:
-I want to rescue all rodents (rat, hamsters, chinchillas, sugar gliders etc) and most reptiles. Snakes over 8ft and things like crocs and alligators would just be too much. (I understand that some of the *rodents* I named are not actually rodents, but they fall into the category of *small and furry* so you get what I mean)
-I want to board horses. I have figured out the costs and the money from the horses (if I have more than 4 at one time) can cover the costs of the horses with a little left over to help with the rescue. I also have a few other plans involving horses as I'd like to have my own.
-I want to sell certain animal products. Mostly bedding for the animals and things like brushes and halters for the horses.
-one of my friends recently suggested a *animal bakery* Making treats and such that are animal safe (things like homemade yogurt drops for rodents, biscuits etc)

I have a lot of things worked out, like the feeding of the reptiles. I know that with a rodent rescue I will be getting in a lot of pregnant females. I figure that keeping all the babies and trying to home them will quickly run me under and so I can use the pinkies as feed for the smaller snakes. For the larger snakes, I can use rodents (like rats) that are so aggressive that the cannot be worked with and rehomed. They would all be humanely euthanized, and I would not have to worry about having a lot of animals who could not be rehomed. The snakes would ONLY be fed healthy animals. Animals who are deathly ill or are injured too severly to be saved will be humanely euthanized and disposed of. (either cremated or buried)
Many people may think that this is cruel. I understand that and have heard the arguements before. I AM an animal lover and I love rodents. I currently own 24 rats and please, I ask that you refrain from any rude comments. IF you have any real concerns about what I'm doing, then comment about it and I'll address them, but please, I don't need the rude comments and harsh assumptions.

Other than that, I have done research on about 15 different species or rodents (mostly) and some smaller reptiles. I'm going to continue my research and I'll take any constructive critisism that anyone can offer. I've asked on a couple different sites and have yet to recieve any new insights. With the diverse animal lover population here at Pets Hub, I'm hoping I'll do a little better.
I'm not too concerned about the business aspects of this right now, I won't be up and running for another 7-10 years or so, so please stick to what I can do to improve on animal care, productiveness, etc. I don't care a lot about money, but I understand that taking care of animals properly will require sometimes vast amounts of cash and so I want to be able to be financially comfortable. I'm very serious and passionate about this, so once again, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Denikka

[ylrebmik]

Hello Denikka,

I absolutly LOVE the idea of the bakery. I have a picture in my head and it looks so amazing. lol.

You sound like you have a good idea of where you're going with this. I didn't really understand what you meant about the horses...

So you want to board horses...have rescues..and some supplies.. or is it a supply store or what?

sorry a lil confused.

GOOD IDEAS THOUGH!

hmm for animal care.. once you get further down the line.. I would definetly make care sheets and such... a lot of people would rather have a sheet or mini packet then read a book.

I'll think of other good stuff later... or look in my Store Notebook (I'm planning my own supply store in 10 years or so hopefully) But gotta eat dinner rite now. yum.

[Denikka]

As for the horses...there's a lot of things that I'd like to do. I want to get a lot of land..I figure about 2000 acres...and with that I want to have about 3 or 4 horses of my own. Here..I'll give you a basic layout of what I want to do specifically with horses.
1) I want to board horses. Either full care (grooming, excercise, feeding...everything done by us) or *self serve* where the person would be responsible for things like grooming and excercise while we would only do the basics (feed and water)
2)Riding lessons and horse training lessons.-just what it says...I have 2 people with years and years of horse experience who have lots of experience with training horses (I don't like the word *breaking*) and with teaching the basics of riding
3)Trail riding-with 2000 or so acres of land I figure that we'll have more than enough to let people go riding through some trails and whatnot.
4) Birthday parties-I saw this on a website and thought it was a wonderful idea. So much to rent an specific area for the party, a cake, horse rides, and some time with the smaller animals/a tour around the place. One of the *staff* would always be right there and of course the safety and comfort of the animals comes first

As for being a supply store....sort of. My main thing is the rescue. That's my passion and the biggest part of doing the other stuff is to make extra money for the rescue animals. I AM passionate about all of it though..or else I wouldn't do it...but the rescue takes the first importance in my mind. The rescue came first and everything else just kind of...followed along with it.

I absolutely love the idea of booklets and whatnot and am currently actually working on that. I'm doing my absolute best to get all the information I possible can from where ever I can. I write everything down and then go through and weed out the bad information or anything that's inaccurate or not quite up to par. I figure that if I continue doing this for the next, say...5 or 6 years...I'll have as much accurate and up to date information and anyone could possible hope to have.

I'm glad you like the bakery idea. I've noticed that the idea is becoming more and more widespread..but it's all for dogs. I have found a few recipes for rodents and think that a store that is geared towards them, especially since rodents are becoming more popular as pets.

Anyways...anything you can come up with...any problems or anything...I'll let you know if I have figured out the angles for that issue...or if I hadn't thought of it at all...in which case I will thank you profusely..lol..and yea....keep the info coming.
Denikka

[ylrebmik]

Yeah, a lot of places have come out with new and interesting ideas... I mean...I personally don't like Petco but i love their idea of the "doggie bar" or w/e.. it's a neat idea.

The thing I have been looking at is... looking at w/e you are interested in doing... horse boarding, pet store, etc... find out what the places are doing good and bad. Then find ways to improve the bad and make the good better.

[rodentz]

sounds good that you are going to help animals. One thing though, how will you pre-kill the rodents for the snake to eat. Sure it sounds nice to feed them to the snake if they arnt in the best health, but the snake will then get sick. Maybe you should stay with jsut rodents or just snakes it might be a little easier. Since you love rats and all rodents, you dont want to find yourself realizing you can kill the rodents for food for the snakes.


Good luck! I have thought about making a pet bakery, or a daycare.;)

[ylrebmik]

:D I agree.

Also, I really admire that you (and your friends) are actually starting to plan and prepare it all. It really shows that you are really ambitious (sp?) about it.

I've been planning a pet store, my college, everything for years now and people think I'm crazy. I even lost a friend because she would get so frustrated with me over it.

My dad says the animal field has no money in it. And even more so any pet store or anything related to that doesn't have good potential. I bet people said that to everyone who started something a little out there. It's amazing that you have so much of it planned because so many people in high school dont' even have a clue. Anyways...don't wanna sound mushy or anything lol but I just admire it when other people have ambitions (sp?) for their future and start early.

I was thinking of having a horse someday but keeping it somewhere else... stay in touch lol. And birthday parties is a very good idea, too.

Sorry, I know I write a lot. hehe

[Denikka]

I guess I kinda glossed over what I planned to do. I would NOT be feeding the sick rodents to the snakes/other reptiles. Only those who are healthy, but too agressive to be able to be worked with and/or adopted out. Babies from pregnant rescue animals would also be used unless I had lots of extra room. All animals (whether to be used as food or put down due to illness or injury) would be put down humanely. Ill or injured animals by the gas and injection (gas first to put them to sleep, shot to end the life). I'm leaning towards a CO2 chamber for those destined to be food. I have not heard of a more humane way to do it, that would also be safe for ingestion by another animal. If you know of one, please, by all means, let me know and I will definately research and take it into consideration.
I hope that cleared up what I mean to do.
Also, the rodents who aren't terminally ill and close to death with be treated to the best of my ability. I wouldn't put down an animal just because they were slightly ill. If you weren't implying that, sorry....but I do want to make sure that I'm perfectly clear.

[Denikka]

Ylrebmik-thanks for the vote of confidence...LOL. I do really appreciate it.
For the most part..you're dad's right. If you want to do what's best for the animals, you usually won't be making much money...that's why you have to have a few little tricks up your sleeve and be excellent with money. I'm a total money hoarder ( I won't spend what I don't have to...make-up, little extras, eating out) but I won't skimp on quality...so that's definately working in my favour.
I truely wish you the best of luck with your endeavor...it's sad how many people have such wonderful plans but never follow through because they hit a snag and it becomes difficult. There is a definate lack of people with passion. And you don't write too much..LOL

By the way. To anyone else who is starting up or wanting to start up a animal business venture...if you see an idea that you like or want to know ANYTHING about my plans and want to use them, go ahead. I don't care about money, flame, glory...whatever...I just want as many animals as possible to have the best lives possible. So if you see something you like..go ahead and use it....the only thing I ask is that if you do use one of my ideas..and make it better in some way..please let me know. I need all the info and knowledge I can get and any little thing is another step closer to the end goal.
Thanks
Denikka

[ylrebmik]

Exactly.

It's really interesting on here seeing what everyone plans on doing for their "business" (w/e that might be)

[MokeyBird]

That is why the Pet Supply Store is "in Theory" more profitable than a Pet Shop. When a Pet Shop sells a Hamster, they don't make money off the animal itself, they make money off of all the little cutsie tubes and cages and wheels and foods and toys and supplements and so forth. You will spend two dollars on an animal, and then spend thirty on the supplies.

Good luck, and I hope that you will want to share some of the recipes you come up with, with us...Heh heh. I sure would like to have some to market so that I could raise money for my local Animal Shelter. I have been looking.

[Denikka]

somewhat OT:There's a wonderful little recipe for rats at http://ratsrule.com/recipes.html
it's for Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies. Looks like a nice recipe to try out for the little ones. I know that someone out there also makes homemade Yoggies (yogurt drops...good for hamsters, rats, and mice) They're also good for people...yummy..lol I'm trying to find it...when I do, I'll post it on here
Denikka

[ylrebmik]

awesome :)

[Denikka]

well...since this section doesn't seem to get much traffic..and I've got no one to talk to but you guys...I figured I'd update on my plans and go into lots of detail this time.
2 barns-20 stalls in each barn (10ft x 15ft stalls)
stalls with indoor and outdoor doors
outdoor doors connected to pasture areas
indoor riding rings-2 in each barn (about 60 ft x 60ft each) able to be converted to one large ring (60ft x 120ft)
4 outdoor riding rings (100ft x 100ft)
individual storage inside the barn
Bathing stall for show horses etc. with hot and cold water

Reptile housing area
4 sizes of areas-15ftx25ft for large animals (iguanas)
3ft x 5ft for solitary medium animals or groups of small animals
6ft x 5ft for groups of medium animals (water dragons)
3ft x 3ft for solitary or small groups of small animals
plus turtle tanks that are 7-8ft x 15ft
running water (filtered and/or waterfall) in large enclosures and in turtle tanks.

Rodent housing
Each cage will be able to be adjusted for the rodent species
(one LARGE enclosure that is adjustable)Plexiglass backing and sides (for easy cleaning), adjustable shelving, wire fronts (for ventilation)
4 large play areas for larger animals (rabbits, guinea pigs etc) 10ft x 10ft x 5ft tall
9 smaller play areas for smaller animals (rats, hamsters, etc. 5ft x 10ft x 5ft tall

Other
My house-50ft x 60ft
3 levels (basement, ground, second floor)
minimum of 7 bedrooms (for room+boarders)
2 bathrooms
large kitchen
laundrey room
living room
Basement is for the rodent rescue

Chicken coop (appx 20 chickens)
enclosure 30ft x 30ft
coop-10ft x 10ft

Money making schemes
Boarding horses-this is the big one-I figure between 500$ and 800$ per month are good prices depending on what the person wants (full service-full grooming, food etc supplied)(self service-minimal grooming, have to supply your own food, etc)
Birthday parties-get to ride a horse, cake supplied, photo shoot available, tour of rodent and reptile areas etc- 200$ for 10 children
Pet Bakery-no clue how much...but I'm not counting on it too much.
Adoption fees-minimal-probably about 10$ for small animals, 25$ for large animals, and 10$ for small lizards + snakes (that stay small), 25$ for medium lizards and snakes, and 50$ for large snakes (8ft +) and iguanas.
Donations-Not relying on adoption fees or donations as a source of income.

The horses would come first, I'd build up a lil income and then move on to my other plans. Barn #1 to be build first thing, I can live there for as long as I need to, then my house, then the reptile area, and then barn #2.
I've dropped the amount of land I want down from 2000 acres. Figured out that's just slightly unreasonable. I could be very happy with between 200 and 500 acres.
As far as I can work it out, I figure it'll take between about 2.5 and 4 million dollars for absolutely everything (land, house, barn#1 and #2, reptile area, chicken coop, cages, set up for the reptile area, and 1 years supplies for all the animals)
Wow..I've thought this out a lot....if anyone wants to point out anything I've missed....if anyone actually reads all that...LOL:p
Anyways...I'm done being bored now...input is always welcome!!

[Jennicat]

I hate to be a stick in the mud, but most rescues are "self defeating financially" on purpose. They're nonprofit entities, not poorly run. Part of the reason is so people don't think you're making money off of taking their "free" animals and rehoming them for 100-200.

[Denikka]

That's a good point jennicat and I understand where you're coming from. That's why I stated that I wouldn't be relying on donations or on adoption fees. The money that I plan to make and use is from boarding horses and whatnot.
I know that a all good rescues are self defeating, and it's unfortunate. The animals can't benifit if the people who are helping them can hardly afford to feed themselves any more. I've known a couple of really good rescues to go under in just a couple years because it just got too expensive. It's great to reassure people that you're not just making money off their animals, but there's no sense in making the animals live in less than ideal conditions because you can't afford it. Just like a lot of smaller rescues, I would be supplimenting the income from the rescue (which I know won't be much) with income from elsewhere (the horses).
If you noticed a problem with my pricing, please, let me know about it. Those are just round figures and for the rodents, I went by what my local SPCA charges (25$ for small animals). So yea...if you can see any problem with that, please, by all means, let me know. I want to do this right and all the info I can get is helpful.

[Jennicat]

I'm not sure what you mean by "making the animals live in less than ideal conditions". I've worked with approximately 60 rescues in our area, all nonprofit, and none of them subjected their animals to substandard conditions.

[Denikka]

I absolutely meant no offence....I'm really sorry if it was taken that way..
I basically meant that there's no point in trying to do the right thing if you don't have the resources to do it. Like...taking in a pet and then not being able to house or feed it properly or take it to the vet. If you're gonna do something you should do it right and not halfazzed.
There wouldn't be a point in me starting up a rescue and then not being able to properly take care of the animals in any way just so that people didn't think I was making a profit off their animals.
I don't think I'm doing a very good of turning my thought into words here. I've written this out 3 times now yea...Anyways...I didn't mean substandard at all...I meant what I said...less than ideal. Which means ANYTHING less than ideal conditions.
I really didn't mean to offend anyone....I hope I got what I meant across. I can't articulate very well today apparently.