Pet Store

[Dirty]

How much do you think it would cost to open a pet store? How much could I make?

[Darren179]

I dont think the question is how much could I make but "How much could I loose". That is what you have to be prepared for. Opening a buisness takes alot of planning,research and financial backing.

[snakers55]

It would cost many animal's lives to open a petstore. If you have a genuine interest in animals, and that is the reason why you would like to open a petstore, you probably have the wrong idea... Many members of this site, and a lot of people that know anything about animals, would never buy anything from a petstore.. I heard that something like 90% of all animals purchased at petstores either die or are returned to the store within 2 years.. Maybe you don't care and just want to make money, so I appologise for being a prick, and ask that you just overlook my post,or PM me and I will erase my message, or maybe I have opened a door to you and you will change your mind of the whole idea.. I worked at a petstore for 4 years and it took me that long to realize just how bad petstores are.. We had animals dieing on a daily basis there , and many wild caught animals as well, and at times could be very saddening.

[Rikki]

If you would open a pet sopre its going to be (as said above) a big loss of money in your case until things start going. Your looking to spend at least $300,000 for the land and building, then you have to but the pet products and animals to sale. Your total should be around $500,000 at least if you want to open a "decent" shop.

Its not someting to jump into. More animals need to be rescued rather than sold to become rescues ;)

(w00t 300th post) :p

[chas*e]

Time = lots, 24/7 most of the time
Money = lots and lots
Hassle = dealing with the public = lots
Luck = lots

[daiyoukai]

Just sell animals on the internet if you want to make money.

[jjaj02]

I manage a petstore, and I've seen the figures. You lose more money than you make.....in the first 3 or so years especially. You need to get inventory in....all the time, and a lot of it. And sometimes you don't sell a whole lot between each shipment. If you don't start with a lot of money behind you, you will probably never make a go of it. I am making orders all the time. It seems that as soon as you make an order you end up starting a list for a new one because you either sell out of stuff so quickly or you realize you forgot stuff. I make $30,000-$50,000 orders pretty much every 2 weeks between animals, and supplies. That doesn't even include paying employees, rent, utilities or the things I have to order for our own use in the store. I wanted to open my own petstore too. But now that I manage one and realize the amount of time and money that has to be put in to keeping the doors open.....I can honestly say I wouldnt now. The only way you should ever open a petstore is if you have a ton of finances, a genuine interest and knowledge about pretty much every animal out there and the pretty much 24 hours a day to spend there cleaning, ordering, stocking etc. etc. Just my thoughts tho.

[dave68]

Been there done that and would never do it again! Stay away very far away!!

Dave

[peterm15]

well maybe this is is a good way to change things.... open a quality pwt store... then maybe thoes figures wouldnt apply to your store... (the animal loss figures) when ppl realise quality that will keep them comming back... theres one store that i go to like that.. everyone that works there loves animals...

one worker saves bearders... another saves cats... even the owner loves and respects the animals... and that kind of attitude keeps me goin back...

if you are serious about it... and do open one... i wish you all the luck

[jjaj02]

I wish you luck too. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, I'm just explaining what all is involved in opening a pet store and keeping the doors open. If you have the love for animals, the time and the money to do it.........then do. Best of luck.

[Dirty]

Thanks a lot everyone, you've helped lots.

[joey]

I've thought of trying to open a petstore in the town where I'm living and would sell only quality foods for dogs/cats. Plus other dog/cat stuff. No live animals though. The closest petstore where I live is about 30 minutes away (Petsmart). I would love to do this but the financing is too scary.

[spidergecko]

I've thought about a pet store, too. But when you think about how this community works and how a breeder is not much more than an online dealer of his/her own "goods" AND that online businesses have little to no overhead, you could set up an online shop. You could sell your own animals plus some other "exotics" you've imported or purchased. It's only one step away.

You would need to keep a very up-to-date website. I always get irritated with sites that do their bulk in online sales but aren't updated weekly. If I need to call for availablility I'll just go somewhere else.

I would actually do this for myself except that I won't keep snakes and that is where the market is.

[wiseman001]

I worked at a pet store for 2 yrs . just QUIT recently...its nothing special.. the best part i liked was taking care for the reptile department...B4 i started there it was " MIS-MANAGED" thats cas not alot of ppl cared... Other than 1 person, which she enjoys her reptiles just as much as all of us do...the problem was that during the winters.. the business takes a dive UNLESS u sell other things... I too want to open a pet store cas I have "some" of the experience, I know how to deal with customers.VERY WELL

Basically I took the job because I WANTED to make a difference in these reptiles lives, and In my live...

I use to get alot of ppl come in and ask me " what is it that someone can enjoy about having a reptile.??? I

I never really know how to answer that other than something that I grew up with since I was a kid... I wouldn't know what it was like to not have an Exotic pet....ever since I was 7-8 yrs old I always had a snake... or turtle.... of salamanders... of frogs...or pet rats... til I figured out that it was the snake that kept my interest there.. and everything else had to go..

Sorry for the Babble.... :)

what ever business U want to venture in... its always about taken the chance.. who knows U may do very well of sink right away ?? who know.. til to get to that stage..

[chas*e]

It is a "Roll of the Dice"..reguardless of the quality of your animals. Don't get me wrong quality helps but where can you get a constant supply of good animals. It is a matter of time when you will call them "inventory" . This might seem harsh but it is a fact of the pet biz. Try it out and work long and hard in a good location and see how it goes. Don't rush ino anything because it is your cash(or the banks or friends)

[peterm15]

and always have a back up plan... thats the main thing...

[beanersmysav]

I too have thought hard about opening a pet store, and since I live on commercial property anyways I can open one right outside or in my house, but I'm going to wait untill all the animals I have are my own, and will just sell my captive bred babies, and I will order a few captive bred animals from other breeders I know to fill my store with more of a variety. I'm lucky in this sense as I won't need to pay rent and my utilities will just be the same as in my house. I figure most of my money lost will go to supplies, internet hosting, cages and supplies for the animals I'm selling, and the big one - advertising.

So my advice to you would be try and find someone who's into the hobby for the love of animals that can split costs with you, and also has a place for you to open up where you're not going to have to pay a ton of rent. It could be a good thing especially if you have alot of your own captive bred animals you're selling. That way the sale of those animals are all profit and you don't get middled by anyone.

Also along with the list to animals I have below, I've got a buddy who I'm going into business with who's got an equally sized list of differant reptiles so the selection will be more varied. We still may lose some money but it will be a step in the direction towards providing some quality reptiles in this area.

And the big thing is make sure off hours you've got a stable job to keep cash coming in as you may not be making your money for the bills in the store, but outside of the store. For me the store will be my love and an extension of the hobby, if I make some cash on it. GREAT! But I know I may need that extra 600-1,000.00 a month for extra incentive to keep it up and running.

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

A lot of it is based on location as well. If you have a crappy location, don't expect much business.

Aidan

[Linds]

How much can be made? Lots of factors go in to that. Assuming you are successful in the sense of being able to sell what you have on a regular basis, you also need to take in to consideration the type of stock you have and how you run things. Often shortcuts that 'save money' are not at all desirable in the eyes of anyone even vaguely aware of how to properly keep reptiles. Most stores don't bother offering truly CBB Balls, since they can get WC or farmed for $10 a piece.

That being said, the world doesn't need anymore crappy stores contributing to the problem. However, all the best to you if you hope to acheive a clean, quality establishment that also works to support the industry from the inside, by supporting breeders as well as hobbyists.

Originally posted by SaIiLdVaEnR
A lot of it is based on location as well. If you have a crappy location, don't expect much business.


Couldn't agree more. I know where I used to work, we also provided educational shows as well as birthday parties, and it were those services that brought in the bulk of the income. Second most popular were feeders.

[JAdkins2451]

A lot of it is based on location as well. If you have a crappy location, don't expect much business.

I also couldnt agree more with this statement. Its supply and Demand if there is not a market for what ever your selling ie. just herps and related stuff, you will need a market for that. And if you live in a small town there might not be a demand for them.

Just my 2 cents

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

I work in a petstore in the beaches of Toronto. This area is one of the most popular for day trips, walks, and just to take in the scenery of toronto. This area is also one of the most pet friendly, if not the most, areas in all of toronto. Having people come in on day trips is the best exposure, but the majority of our profits come from long term customers, mainly our neighbours. When you hear "location, location, location", they're not kidding!

Aidan

[chas*e]

I grew up in the Beaches so the rent in that Petstore must be out of this world...

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

I'm not aware of the exact cost of rent, but I heard them saying the place across of the street was a couple/few thousand per month.

Aidan