Opening a pet store

[Kristal007]

So, lately I've been seriously considering opening up a pet shop near me. I've scoped out some prime areas, that have some decent sized stores for leasing. The last couple of days I've been putting together my business plan. I'm now going to start on the business license and articles of incorporation, and all that good stuff.

Since I know there are people on this board that right away just love to jump on the puppy and puppy mill subject, I might as well just tell you what is going to happen now. Once I get my store going and people see that it is a privately owned store, and that I take excellent care of my animals, because I don't plan on having much. I am hoping I can find a few breeders in my area that would trust one of their pups in my care. I am going to have two puppy areas built, we are talking nice sized areas for the pups, no little glass cages. I will keep 1-2 pups in my store, that I have personally researched and gotten pedigree information on. I then plan on having a rescue come by the store once a week/weekend or every other weekend to then do the rest of the puppy adoptions. I don't plan on having any kittens. I will have a nice fresh water fish area, several reptiles at first that will be PROPERLY taken care of. If reptile sales do good, I will go from there. I will then have a small animal section. Probably just 10 or so hamsters at first, and possibly a few birds. I plan on having a few store "mascots" that will be there with me, my dog on a daily basis, and I plan on building a nice little area up front where I can bring one of my bearded dragons every now and again. I also will have a website for selling my supplies only. I am also toying with the idea of having a small pet hotel, holding about 3 dogs or so, however I not 100% sure I want to do that. If I do I would have a nice big, clean area constructed for those dogs away from the 2 pups I may or may not have in my store.

Okay....on to some questions.

Does anyone have good recommendations for a good - well priced supplier of GOOD pet food. I refuse to carry any purina, iams, eukanuba stuff. I'm looking at carrying natural holistic foods. IE - Solid Gold, Wysong, Canidae, Chicken Soup, Fromm, Wellness, Natural Balance.....These are just some I can think of off the top of my head.

I have found some decent wholesalers for toys, crates, bowls, litter boxes, etc. However, if you have any recommendations on a wholesaler, or any good experience stories I would love to hear them. I want to make sure I start working with ones that are not going to rip me off and are going to be pleasant working with.

What kind of laws, and licensing laws should I check into as far as owning and selling these animals? Like a USDA license? I'm sure there is something I have to look into. I live in IL.

Any words of wisdom? Tips? What to do, what not to do? I would LOVE to hear it all. Please feel free to email me instead of posting if you'd like - gixx09@yahoo.com. My goal is to have this all up and running in 5 months. Hopefully sooner, but I do not want to set an unrealistic goal for myself. Thanks in advanced for taking your time to read this lengthy post. I do appreciate it. If you really help me I'll even make sure you get generous discounts once everything is up and running :)

[Punkygirl0101]

I think its a bad idea. Why would you even think about asking any breeder in your area to allow a puppy to go to your store? NO reputable breeder would EVER agree to that...so it would only be back yard breeders you would be supporting.

[Kristal007]

I think its a bad idea. Why would you even think about asking any breeder in your area to allow a puppy to go to your store? NO reputable breeder would EVER agree to that...so it would only be back yard breeders you would be supporting.

Well, I think that a reputable breeder seeing there are not 10 pups in terrible conditions, and knowing me, WOULD agree. I think you are wrong when you say one would never agree to that. If I was opening a Petland franchise or something, then yeah, it would be a different story. I won't be supporting backyard breeders. If I can't find any, then I can't find any, I'll stick to rescues then.

Anyway, anyone who has any INFORMATION to provide me, I would appreciate your feedback. I didn't post this to start a debate about puppies, and backyard breeders, because those debates just get out of control and go no where. So, if you do not have any useful information to provide me then I ask, that you kindly don't post. Thanks.

[Jennicat]

Just to give you my take...

My boss is a dog breeder. He breeds champion dogs. Regardless of how small or well meaning the store, he would never let a pet store deal with one of his pups.

a.) responsible breeders have waiting lists for their dogs.... so they're not going to have "spare" puppies to go into your store.

b.) responsible breeders have contracts with the people who purchase their puppies to ensure spay/neuter compliance with pet quality dogs. They cannot witness the contract if you have the dog.

c.) they want to interview people to make sure they're a good match for their dog, and for the breed itself.

d.) they want to maintain contact with the person who buys the dog so that they can be alerted if genetic issues pop up in the line, and so the dog can be returned to them if something should happen and the person is no longer able to keep the dog.



No reputable breeder I've dealt with would be comfortable letting a pet store place their puppy, whether that pet store had 1 puppy or 1000 puppies in it.

[Alasse]

We used to have a small petshop here that dealt with a breeders pups....they weren't sold through the store though. They put them in the store for the public to view..but they had to go to the actual breeder for screening prior to any future pup being sold.

The store got like a finders fee if a successful person was found that made it through the screening, they were then put on a waiting list for the next litter of pups

[Punkygirl0101]

I agree with Jenni.

THAT is why no reputable breeder would ever have pups in a pet store, REGARDLESS of if its a franchise or not.

[ylrebmik]

Honestly, I dont think any pets should be sold in stores. I was 9 years old when i got my guinea pigs from the store and they shouldn't have sold them to me. Yeah, I took care of them but I didn't know how to reaallllly take care of them.

I think another big thing is.... you shouldn't be able just to go into a place and be like i want a turtle or a puppy or w/e. If you can wait for the animal... it shows a little bit how you just dont want it cuz its cute.. but you are being responsible about it. Same goes for the breeder. :)

[Rat101010101010]

In the UK we're not allowed to sell puppies in Pet Stores
which I think totally rocks.
We got our three cats from The Cat Protection League.
Not a pet store. They are so nice cats.
When we were looking at pictures of Labradors in the paper they were all scronny and ill looking.
But we got ours from a fifteen year experienced breeder and they were big, bold, healthy dogs. Mum had a similar face to the little girls so it was definitely her. I go against animals shut up in tiny cages and they ARE tiny. They think they have large rat and hamster cages and when I looked on the web of this place it said they did. I went and they were in one the size of a shoe-box! No joking.
But if that's what you want to do and you are certain it'll work then I support that.

[madanesor]

I would start off with merchandise and slowly add animals if you feel you need it.

[Rat101010101010]

Maybe start WORKING in a Pet Shop, to get an idea.
Y'know?

[DewDropPony]

Pet stores that sell cats and dogs rely on impulse buying, non-throughly researched purchases, and improper (or more likely, non-existent) screening of potential owners.

These shops relay on supply and demand. If customers want a dog they get it. If the demand is high the shop needs to pump out truck loads of dogs to keep up with demand. This leads to dogs being bred too often, with little or not medical care/health testing on the parents or offspring. You can't make money buy breeding dogs responsibly.