Pet store/Pet business?

Question

So I am at the point where I have to have my career ready and put in plan. My dream would be to open a pet store, kind of. 
I was wondering if I could get some adivce/opinions from people all over who could possibly help me with my ideas.
Well, as you just read I want to open a pet store. However, this pet store will not sell puppies or kittens from mills. The onyl way puppies and kittens will be sold is if I myself reserve the right to sell an animal of my own (I would let other people bring them in but, they have to provide health certificates and the people i got the animals from would have to pay if the health doesn't last and this is just risky) or I get aniamls from animal control, which a deal would be worked out with aniaml control. However other animals such as fish, and other animals can be sold and they will be distributed in the store. One thing I will not however accept is sick/dying animals. I don't car eif it's fish that are sick/dying and it can be cured by 1,2,3. The animals will not enter my doors.

I have live bearing fish and etc. that I will grow and bring them into the store, I will put them in tanks in the back and check everyway possibly to make sure they are healthy.

I will also do a refund.


Animals I would like to sell:
Hamster 
Rat
Mice (feeder/pets)
Rabbit/Bunny
Fish
Turtles (this is a maybe)
Birds (possibly)
Animals from Aniaml Control

It's hard to find people where I would who will come in and care for animals that could be "potentially" Dangerous.

Please give me your input.
Thanks.

P.S. I will use this in a class of mine, but none of you will be directly quoted or anything.

Elaine M · Answer

There are pet industry magazines you can (and should) subscribe to.

Unfortunately the 'livestock' is only 10-15% of the intake your store will bring in. The VAST majority of your income will come from accessories, supplies and food.  You'll be operating a retail store and your stock will be reflecting where your sales are going to be coming from.  The live animals (livestock) never is the majority of the moneymaker.

This doesn't mean you can't have unique products that you buy from individual crafters and designers.  In fact that can be a major drawing point for your store.  

You'll also need to update yourself with the process of getting a retail outlet, the health department checks that will be done, working with the bank, etc.  Your phone book should have a contact number for your local SBA (small business assoc.) and SCORE offices--make use of that. These are business people who mentor new business owners through the process, helping you do it right.

Check online for the pet industry magazines and sites. You'll be looking at the retail and wholesale information there to make decisions.  Take basic business classes either with night  courses the local colleges offer, or as day classes if/when your local schools run them.  Marketing is something very important to know and understand.  

Think up a GOOD business name, and check online to see if it's been taken already.  Go walk into current stores and talk with staff and management about owning a business like that. Find what the pitfalls are, as well as the good side.  You're going to be living and breathing this business for years.

Anonymous · Answer

you should subcribe to a pet magazine for the buisness. but all your ideas are really good and on the right track... i would diffinatly go to your pet shop because i can't stand puppy mills. but another thought before people bring in the dogs or cats you should have them take their animals to the vet for a check up just to see if everything is a-o-kay. wonderful ideas.

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Pet store/Pet business?

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