I'm OPENING A PET STORE... need help!!!

[oreofrappe]

Does anyone have any tips?

We're buying a pet store that has been in business for only a year and a half, so pratically brand new..

does anyone have tips or any advice?

thanks for all your help in advance!
James

[LilWurm]

Well, what kind of animals will you be selling? All kinds, or small animals?

I will tell you one thing, I get a lot of information on how different animals are selling by a buddy of mine who works at a pet store. I have heard that lizards and reptiles are not selling very well. Word of caution.

I love lizards and am working on helping keep my buddy's store in business by purchasing animals he can't seem to get rid of. I am working on getting his Sandfish (which are quite rare) because they aren't doing too well and no one wants them.

Hermit crabs tend not to sell too well unless you have a maniac like me in town. But also, hermies a lot of times get sold to the wrong people. If you do sell them, be sure to have care packets on hand (I can send them to you if need them) so they at least have some information on how to take care of their new hermies.

My buddy says salt water set ups are doing alright. He is changing his store into basically a salt water palace because that seems to be the only big seller. That, and birds. Birds seem to go fast also. Especially African Greys and Lovebirds.

Any other help you need, feel free to ask. You can e-mail me if you wish at LilWurm@comcast.net

Good luck with your business and please keep up on your animals! I see far too many pet stores who just don't take good care of their animals and it makes me sad.

[jennawing]

I would gladly be available for consultation on the housing and care etc of hamsters, rats, guineas, or rabbits. I'll will give you a few tips right now-

don't put them on cedar
give them a wheel
seperate by sex
call the hamsters their REAL names, and none of that teddy-bear, panda-bear nonsense

[oreofrappe]

what do you recc. I use for the bottoms of the cages of the small animals.... (hamsters, mice, bunnies, etc.)....
I used to use the grey all recycled stuff for my hamsters when I used to have them a few years back....

thanks for any help!!!
jjfedas@yahoo.com

[wheels]

If you sell guniea pigs, make sure to seperate them by sex. Also, make sure they are not living in a glass tank. They need a cage with good ventilation, and a cage where they can run around in. The general rule is 1 guniea pig for cage. Make sure each cage has water, pellets, and hay available to the guniea pigs at all times. For the bedding of a guniea pig, use a good kiln dried pine, or just use a bedding like carefresh. Never use cedar shavings.

[wheels]

The gray recycled stuff is called Carefresh. That is a very good bedding to use. You can also use a bedding called Critter Care.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask here, or e-mail me at matrey7@ptd.net