Little One
Want to start my own little pet shop, How can I get started with one?
My husband and I want to start our own little pet shop because thats all we’re ever around and love animals to death. So we’re just wanting to know how we would go about starting one?
Besides needing the space (you can buy or rent) you will need a lot of money, business/retail/sales tax license, insurance, an accountant, lawyer, and whatever license you would need to sell pets. And alot of knowlegde on everything you sell…people ask lots of questions.
I wouldn’t sell puppies and kittens….they all come from puppy mills and back yard breeders. No reputable breeder will sell to a pet shop, and if you sell someone a sick pet, you may wind up in court. (Do you really want that headache?)
I would see if you can work with the shelters in your area and keep some of the adoptables in your store (like they do in petsmart) IF there is a PetsMart or Petco in your area, it’s gonna be tough to have a good business going..like the other person said….they squash the mom and pop shops unfortunatly.
Check out www.petage.com and subscribe for their mag.(free last I knew). They have lots of info on there on where to buy supplies and all that good stuff.
There is another mag too.. Pet Product News (.com i think..otherwise just do a search) They also have a big “phone book” with nothing but distributors for retail and pet stuff. I think that subscription is free as well.
Good Luck 
Little One – Lucy Schwartz
