Pet stores/shops. What do you think of them?

[Kyree]

I've wanted a career with animals all of my life. I love them, if you haven't been able to tell from my posts :o. I've always wanted to start an animal shelter, it's been my dream for countless years. But, unfortunately, Building a shelter and getting it off the ground, and running it would be a full-time thing. As much as I love animals, I need to make a living as well, and a shelter would provide me with 0 income. (Non-profit organization.) I can't run a shelter and have a full time job.

As much as I've heard, pet shops aren't the best thing around. But, I could never treat the animals as horrible as what I've seen on news articles and such. It would help me make a living, and get to be with animals if I could get one off the ground. There's an area right near where I live that would be perfect for a pet shop, and, right next door is a vet office. There's actually 3 vets within a mile, 5 within 2 miles in this area.

What are your guys' opinions on it? Yay, nae? Advice? Concerns? Reality checks?

[rerant]

I don't know a whole lot about the pet shop business aside from the fact that the PJ's here seems to be pretty well run, and I've only ever seen one really horrific pet shop which was in Long Island.
In all, as long as you're caring for your animals, treating them well and making sure they go to good, loving homes I can't see as how it could possibly be a bad thing.
News reports aside, you wouldn't be running your pet shop the way those ones are run.

I say go for it, and save me a dachshund! :p

[strawbabies]

My biggest problem would be where the pets would come from. Most pet shops get them from backyard breeders and puppy mills, even if they deny that's where the dogs come from.

I don't like to see that perpetuated because people keep buying the dogs.

According to the ASPCA, no reputable breeder would sell to a shop.

[Saydrah]

Nay, nay, NAY!

No matter HOW hard you try to change things at store level, corporate policies always put profits before the animals.

If you would like to work in the pet industry, find a pet store that doesn't sell any live animals except perhaps fish (and even that is sketchy unless it's a fish-specific store that is really careful with their ordering). There are several in my area like this.

I worked at Petco for just over a year and I now refer to that time of my life as "The Dark Ages." The SCs are worse even than other types of retail, the Morons in Management aren't just jerks but jerks who can order you not to give proper care to the animals because it takes too much time, and the co-irkers often give much more of a damn about their paychecks than about the pets and will sell even to people who blatantly admit they'll be abusive or neglectful.

Here's an idea: Apply at a doggie daycare! They always need kennel attendants and playgroup supervisors, they pay about the same as pet stores (not much), and no sales!

[tropicsgoddess]

I'm not a huge fan of pet shops since the stores tend to get their dogs and cats from breeders of ill-repute and mills.

[Kyree]

Here's a couple of things of the concerns you guys had:

"No matter how had you try to change things on store level, corporate policies always put profits before the animals"

I'm not looking to work at one, I'm looking to build my own. If I'm running it myself, starting my own pet shop, wouldn't that make me corporate, and making ME the one making the pet care decisions?

Backyard breeders and Mills

I'm thinking of ways to over come this as we speak. Since where I'd like to open the store up, there aren't really any shelters (a half hour drive is the closest), the humane society was mildly interested with striking a deal with me.

As for doggy day care, none around here that I can get to. I've spent days researching shelters and havens, fosters, and rescues. They've all fallen into these categories: Fostered out of private homes (Can't do it, I live in an apartment), Too far to get to by bus. The closest is an hour away, and they didn't need any volunteers. And they weren't hiring.

Pet stores that only carry small animals/fish, are horrid for those animals. i couldn't stand working there. The animals are in tiny cages And, I already have a full time job, I don't need a second one, and they don't pay nearly as much as my current job. About half that, actually.

Hence why I've wanted to start my own thing. I'd get paid, I'd get to take care of animals and work with them.

[FuzzyKitten99]

Kyree, since you are also in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes Taxes", you have to understand what it takes to start a business in this state. It isn't easy and MN is by no means a friendly state to small businesses, especially start-ups. I know from personal experience.

The first thing you want to do is research your particular business. Meaning work in the industry for a while. Even if it is at a small pet shop. There are several small, privately-run pet stores around the Cities, though I don't know where you live.

Do market research. Is there a demand for your particular type of pet shop? Do you know how to advertise to your target customers? How will you stand out from private breeders?

What are the laws and regulations you need to sell animals in a store-front shop? What kind of insurance do you need? Will you have employees? Do you have backup savings in case your shop doesn't meet sales expectations for the month?

Most banks won't lend to small business entrepreneurs unless they have worked in the actual industry for at the very least a year in some kind of management position, and some banks want 5 years. The SBA office here in MN is a good resource for getting advice on starting up. They have info on privately-funded grants and loans for small businesses, but don't count on getting one unless you are either a minority race or a woman who has worked in the industry for several years and has knowledge of how to run things. Believe me, I tried getting grants and loans and was turned down because I am not a minority race, and I had only worked in the industry I wanted to go into, for about a year. Things might have changed in the last 3 years, but I don't think it likely. If you go to http://www.sba.gov/ and http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_35212.html and http://www.businessnation.com/library/business-resources/minnesota-small-business/ for some great reasources.

You might think that doing something you love isn't work, but when you are in charge of everything, and it all falls on your shoulders, there is a lot more work involved in keeping it all going than fun time with the pets. The first 5 years of a business are the hardest. Don't expect to show any profit for at least 3 of those.

Also, get a good CPA to handle your tax obligations. You will pay probably at least $150+ each time you file, and most businesses file quarterly, depending on their level of income.

[Kyree]

Oh, I know it's not gonna be an over night thing, or something that's even gonna happen by next year. I'm going to be going back to school for business courses after next year, saving money up for that now. I figured it wouldn't hurt to start planning though. Thank you for the site links, I've bookmarked them :)

[FuzzyKitten99]

Oh, I know it's not gonna be an over night thing, or something that's even gonna happen by next year. I'm going to be going back to school for business courses after next year, saving money up for that now. I figured it wouldn't hurt to start planning though. Thank you for the site links, I've bookmarked them :)

No, you are doing fine in doing the planning part, but you'll want to research every bit and aspect of starting and owning a business. At the MN Dept. of Revenue site ( http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/business_taxpayers/index.shtml ) you can get a wealth of info.

This site you can order free guides and publications (most are on CD Rom now) on starting a new business in MN:

http://www.mnsbao.com/publications.htm

[AdminAssistant]

I'm going to be going back to school for business courses after next year

ah-HA! See if they have someone who teaches classes in entrepreneurship, small business management, ANYTHING. And then become that person's best friend! Okay, well maybe not, but do tell your teachers what you are thinking about doing and ask lots of questions. Most of the professors here are more than willing to meet with students regarding things that aren't class related, and (here, anyway) the professors have a lot of real world experience. It's a fantastic resource.

[Ljt09863]

I'm thinking of ways to over come this as we speak. Since where I'd like to open the store up, there aren't really any shelters (a half hour drive is the closest), the humane society was mildly interested with striking a deal with me.


well, could you open a pet store, selling pet supplies, and maybe fish. then maybe makes deals with reputable dog breeders in the area that. ok...let me see how to phrase this...

lets say you know of five breeders in the area, and were able to make such a deal with them. you advertise in your store, that you are able to get such and such breed from such and such breeder. if a customer comes in wanting a black lab, and you know of a breeder who has a black lab, or will be having black lab puppies, the breeder can sell the dog through you. you pay the breeder whatever you both agree, and the person buying the dog, will most likely buy food, or bowls, and leashes, and whatever else they need from you.

i think alot of people don't like to buy from pet stores, but have trouble finding great breeders. you can help them skip a step, and earning profit for you, and the breeder, and the buyer gets a great pet, and doesn't have to worry about it coming from a mill.

i hope i made that clear.

[Kyree]

well, could you open a pet store, selling pet supplies, and maybe fish. then maybe makes deals with reputable dog breeders in the area that. ok...let me see how to phrase this...

lets say you know of five breeders in the area, and were able to make such a deal with them. you advertise in your store, that you are able to get such and such breed from such and such breeder. if a customer comes in wanting a black lab, and you know of a breeder who has a black lab, or will be having black lab puppies, the breeder can sell the dog through you. you pay the breeder whatever you both agree, and the person buying the dog, will most likely buy food, or bowls, and leashes, and whatever else they need from you.

i think alot of people don't like to buy from pet stores, but have trouble finding great breeders. you can help them skip a step, and earning profit for you, and the breeder, and the buyer gets a great pet, and doesn't have to worry about it coming from a mill.

i hope i made that clear.

You made yourself clear. But the problem is, this area is crawling with pet /supply/ stores. :(

[Primer]

I've wanted a career with animals all of my life.

I've always wanted to start an animal shelter, it's been my dream for countless years.

I can't run a shelter and have a full time job.

There's an area right near where I live that would be perfect for a pet shop, and, right next door is a vet office. There's actually 3 vets within a mile, 5 within 2 miles in this area.


Good luck with your dreams! In the meantime, have you tried getting a job at one of those vet clinics? That way you could get a feel for the area clientele, and ask around locally how a pet store would do in that area. Could you somehow combine a pet store with a limited shelter?

I actually do recommend putting in time at a vet clinic for a year or so. That way you will be able to recognize LOTS of illnesses when you see them, and understand the seriousness of giving advice when you yourself are not a licensed vet.

Again, good luck!