pet store maybe?

[pinkpink33]

hiya

so i was just thinking about maybe opening a pet store in a few years. i live in brighton uk, was thinking of a small exotics animal store, with a small selection of degus, chipmunks, dwarf hamsters (all types) etc. there are 2 other pet stores in this area, both are non-specialist with regular pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats etc. i think brighton would be a good area to open a small exotics store.
i would like to only have a small number of pets in the store, and mainly have a lot of pet supplies, for all animals, as these are where you get the money from i hear.
i would like to breed my own dwarf hams, and maybe degus. i have some knowledge on this, but obviously i would have to spend a long time researching care and genetics etc. i would not breed each animal much, maybe 2 litters from a female dwarf in her lifetime. i would not keep any breeding animals in store, they would live at home with me ( i love my animals).
i would like to sell safe decent beddings, foods, cages etc, and make some information packs up with the important info in.
obviously breeding animals would be bought from a reputable breeder to prevent inbreeding at any stage.
i would hire a small number of staff, as i would like to be quite active in my role, and would like to work with local shelters for larger animals like rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets etc, via advertising and a rehoming show twice a month etc.
anyone have any tips, or things to think about? i've considered location, but have no idea on the financials of running a business. money isnt that much of an issue, as my boyfriend (sweetest guy in the world) is quite wealthy and has a great career, whilst studying for his chemistry degree (im on the same course), doesnt mind if i make money, as long as im happy.
i would also like to take in unwanted litters of small animals from shelters, and care for them before rehoming them.
any thoughts anyone?

thanks

[halfwaynowhere]

I think you are on the right track for a good pet store. whether it will be profitable or not is another issue, you would have to do research to see if there is demand for a store like that in your area. That seems like the type of store that I would love to own, breeding my own selection of small animals instead of obtaining them from bulk breeders, and working with local shelters and rescues for adoptions for larger animals, but mainly just selling quality pet supplies. Right now I'm working towards a degree in Pet Sciences, hoping to eventually have my own store, or to run a rescue, or something.

[pinkpink33]

ideally i would finish my degree, then work at a pet store for a couple of years to understand the dynamics. have worked in management in retail before, but a pet store is quite different i think.
have been looking for decent wholesale sellers online, but a lot of them seem to sell at the same price as my local pet store lol!
how would anyone suggest i go about doing research on whether this shop would be in demand here? like a survey on the street? being a student, and pets not being allowed in student houses, i dont know many other pet owners here.
have researched shops to let in this area, but im finding it hard to calculate how much profit you could actually make in pet supplies, not knowing the number of pet owners in my area, and how many pets they each have. any ideas?
thanks :)

[Rachy1412]

Couldn't you just not sell animals fullstop, theres really no need for it. If you truely want to help animals out don't breed and sell them, just work with your local shelter to get their animals adopted out. If you breed you are only adding to the problem.

[pinkpink33]

:) i know what you're getting at, and i want to work with local rescue centres. but have you looked at brighton/sussex rspca and animal shelters? i have checked online, and there are occasionally a rat or 2 in the rodent section which need rehoming, but pretty much no small furry pets around here. i checked for a few months, wanting to adopt. my 2 local petstores have no problems selling hamsters (probably because they dont stock that many - you have to go on a waiting list for dwarves), and yet none are abandoned.
i want to breed dwarf hams, particularly russians (campbells), as i think they are a very sweet animal, but many are nippy and aggressive when bought from stores, due to being inbred for pretty colours and not handled.
to be honest though, i dont think i'd be able to go through with it - having 2 hams mate, taking care of mummy ham, handling and taming baby hams, and then selling the babies. lol i'd probably separate them into 2 single sex colonies at home and watch them live happily ever after!
it's not like a plan anyway, i was researching it as am interested in it, wanted to find out about the possibilities. i know some people are against breeding completely, and i respect that's how they feel, but i dont think there's anything wrong with breeding if it's to create a nicer and healthier animal, and to do your best they go to responsible loving homes. i do have a problem with mills though.
after considering it, if i did open a pet store i dont think i'd be able to sell pets. how can you not get attached to an animal you play with every day? maybe i will open a pet supply store, and just have 2 little dwarf ham colonies when i have a bigger place. would still be able to work directly with shelters, so would be helping animals and making more money than i would if i sold pets (have heard that if you breed responsibly you lose money selling the pets).
hmm, thanks for the food 4 thought, sorry for such a rambly reply :)