Website suggestions

Zoo Nanny · 10-27-12, 01:55 PM

I've had my website up now for close to 5 years. While I get more than my share of parrots and rabbits I'm not attracting herp people. Any suggestions to the site that would help draw in people would be great. I'm am a dunce when it comes to a computer and setting this site up was weeks of work. I've updated it a couple of times but for the life of me I just can't seem to think of other things to add. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.
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**Aaron_S** · 10-27-12, 02:34 PM

It's pretty simple.

Why would I uproot my snake cage to bring it to you, plus it's food for a week while I go on a week vacation and pay $10 bucks for it?

Your price isn't too high but my snakes can live fine for any real vacation time I would take. Even then, I'd get a close friend to check to make sure they are alive and have water. It's all they truly need.

Gungirl · 10-27-12, 02:46 PM

Like Aaron stated.. The only time I think it would pay off is if someone was going away for a month and had their snake in a tub. Not many people take more than a week or 2 away and a snake is easy to set up for that time frame.

Lankyrob · 10-27-12, 02:55 PM

We are the same, family member will pop in and fill up water bowls, none need feeding even if we are away for a fortnight.

Zoo Nanny · 10-27-12, 02:59 PM

Yes I realize that about snakes. I used to do home visits but insurance rates went through the roof so I had to stop. I was thinking more in the lines of animals that can't go long term. I do have a few beardies, iguanas, geckos and frogs that I sit. These I have gotten as referrals from the MSPCA Angel, Tufts and a couple of other local clinics.

**Aaron_S** · 10-27-12, 03:55 PM

Again, I'm not picking up and carrying a large enclosure so someone else's house and still paying for them to care for it. I can get a family member to toss in some greens or worms to my lizards if I had any.

It's just not the same set of care as other animals. They may need the human interaction as well as exercise but my herps don't care who feeds or cleans them.

alessia55 · 10-27-12, 04:12 PM

With snakes, I'd be worried about leaving them somewhere new and the chances of another snake having mites or something else. You would have to have a way to quarantine snakes in different areas I suppose.

mykee · 10-27-12, 05:27 PM

Quote:

"Detailed diets for your parrots, reptiles and bunnies available. Yes I cook and serve fresh foods for all. "

Please tell me what reptiles require cooked foods?

Gungirl · 10-27-12, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

Please tell me what reptiles require cooked foods?

Some lizards enjoy cooked squash, carrots and other Items. I cook some stuff up for my BTS regularly.

Zoo Nanny · 10-27-12, 06:18 PM

I never serve sweet potato raw to any animal. It has a trypsin inhibitor which prevents the digestion of protiens and cooking deactivates it. Those of you that feed turkey and chicken don't you cook it first or do you always serve it raw? The bacterias found in raw meats especially fowl make me very nervous.
And you need to remember that I also serve foods to parrots and small mammals. I cook a variety of grains and legumes. I also bake bird bread and cookies.
I shop twice per week for fresh vegetables and fruits so that I always have a variety for all animals.
Animals are kept in separate rooms unless from the same home. Not a perfect quarantine as I have forced hot air heat and central air but the animals at least have a door between.
Most people who use me I ask to come for a pre-visit so that they are able to see exactly what I offer. This gives us the opportunity to talk about the specific animals. I have agreements with vets in the area for emergency visits. One for birds and small animals and a different one for reptiles. There are also two excellent hospitals under an hour away in the event of a overnight or weekend emergency.

Lankyrob · 10-28-12, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoo Nanny

I never serve sweet potato raw to any animal. It has a trypsin inhibitor which prevents the digestion of protiens and cooking deactivates it. Those of you that feed turkey and chicken don't you cook it first or do you always serve it raw? The bacterias found in raw meats especially fowl make me very nervous.
And you need to remember that I also serve foods to parrots and small mammals. I cook a variety of grains and legumes. I also bake bird bread and cookies.
I shop twice per week for fresh vegetables and fruits so that I always have a variety for all animals.
Animals are kept in separate rooms unless from the same home. Not a perfect quarantine as I have forced hot air heat and central air but the animals at least have a door between.
Most people who use me I ask to come for a pre-visit so that they are able to see exactly what I offer. This gives us the opportunity to talk about the specific animals. I have agreements with vets in the area for emergency visits. One for birds and small animals and a different one for reptiles. There are also two excellent hospitals under an hour away in the event of a overnight or weekend emergency.

I am fairly certain that the lizards that eat thsi type of meat dont have the faclities to cook it in the wild

Jay · 10-28-12, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoo Nanny

I never serve sweet potato raw to any animal. It has a trypsin inhibitor which prevents the digestion of protiens and cooking deactivates it. Those of you that feed turkey and chicken don't you cook it first or do you always serve it raw? The bacterias found in raw meats especially fowl make me very nervous.
And you need to remember that I also serve foods to parrots and small mammals. I cook a variety of grains and legumes. I also bake bird bread and cookies.
I shop twice per week for fresh vegetables and fruits so that I always have a variety for all animals.
Animals are kept in separate rooms unless from the same home. Not a perfect quarantine as I have forced hot air heat and central air but the animals at least have a door between.
Most people who use me I ask to come for a pre-visit so that they are able to see exactly what I offer. This gives us the opportunity to talk about the specific animals. I have agreements with vets in the area for emergency visits. One for birds and small animals and a different one for reptiles. There are also two excellent hospitals under an hour away in the event of a overnight or weekend emergency.

Stick to small mammals and birds.

Zoo Nanny · 10-29-12, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

Stick to small mammals and birds.

Well that's rude. Why would you say that?
I understand that the larger animals like snakes and monitors can't be boarded but there are many smaller lizards that are better boarded than left alone.

My original question was if anyone could suggest changes to my website.

jhinton6932 · 10-29-12, 03:52 AM

a few a-holes in this thread. i think its great your offering people the option to board their exotics. im sure she knows there is always a risk of mites with reptiles and birds and how take preventative measures. read some info provided on her site.

Quote:

I understand that the larger animals like snakes and monitors can't be boarded but there are many smaller lizards that are better boarded than left alone.

for the site i'd go try and appeal to beardie owners. they are the ones who are going to be boarding their animals most frequently and probably at least 10-15 within a 10 mile radius of you

Zoo Nanny · 10-29-12, 05:21 AM

Thank you for taking the time to review my site.
Do you think adding additional pictures of beardies and some of the other smaller reptiles of my customers would help draw people in?
Another question too should I include in my info the fact that I had the opportunity to work with vets and animal nutritionist implementing specific dietary needs for herps as well as other species at the zoo?