Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

smeagol · Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

Hye..i would like to open a pet shop. It just that i don't know where to start...what is the basic thing i need to do...

and also i keep wondering myself where actually i can get animals for sell.
yes from breeder...but i don't know which's which.

so,if there any words for me...i really appreciate it.

thank you so much.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Well, if you really want my advice...
You need to get yourself a whole lotta information before you even begin, buddy (assuming from the way you ask, your knowledge currently is almost 0). If you want to know where to start getting your information or experience, then you need to work in a pet shop first before plunging into something relatively unknown.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

Hello there,

Dr Nat is right there. You need to do more research before you dump in money to open a petshop.

Do shop around different petshop, shopping mall, vet clinic, grooming center to have a look at their design, presentation, display items, location, client flow. Also go to serach in the other www oversea to have a look at their set up to compare.

There are a lot of thing to be considered. Location is very important. You need to know how many petshop is serving the neighbourhood and who your potential competitors are. What is their average no of walk in customer. Need to know the standard of living of the surrounding neightbourhood as well.

Then you need to know what to sell, where to get them, how to get the contacts.

If you have no experience in this industry, you got to be very careful or have a large reserve. Because you are likely to meet a lot of blunders. It may seems to be very lucrative to open petshop but do you know there are a lot of petshop closed down and some closing because of competition.

Sell pets and other items alone is not enough to survive. You need to at least provide some other form of services. Like grooming, training classes, boarding. Vet practice, it is not ethical for you to get a vet if you are not a vet your self. May be you can have them as a visiting vet. At least can attract more client.

The competition from hypermart and bigger petshop is very huge. A lot of them can sell at a price that you never think of. Some of the hypermart can sell cheaper than your cost price, due to the volume of their order and discount they get because of the volume.

Dr Dunker · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 466 Location: Puchong,Selangor

It is extreamly dangerous to enter the pet industry without proper reaserch. U not only need good business sence but a hefty bank account too. the competition among pet shops is truly intence.

Also if u want to do well, u got to offer somthing others dont, like if u are a vet urself or a pet groomer, pet photograper or somthing unique like that. to just open a petshop which does nothing other then selling pet products and pet food is not a good idea. shops like those are a dime a dozen now days. if u would intend to get lifestock, puppies and kittens for example, be aware such things are risky. disease and low sales can ruin u. Imagine if u got 10 rotweller puppies and could only manage to sell 8 of them in the first 5 months. what are u going to do with puppies that are eating your food, taking ur space and require vet attention?? thats an age where puppies are very 'UNqute'. of coz if u love animals, then it is even WORST since what the heck can u do if u get attach with some of the animals. (thats why true animal lovers cant opperate a successful pet business.)

As with any business venture, make sure u do your homework.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Another thing to add on here. If you're dealing with live animals, you have more things to think about. Namely, animal welfare and conservation issues with wildlife.

For some 'exotic' animals, you will have to get a permit and a licence to catch, keep, display and sell them. Not to mention that there are a whole list of animals that are illegal to keep or to import.

In terms of animal welfare, if you are keeping any live animals, it is your responsibility to see that they are kept in a proper environment, given adequate food and water, given any necessary treatment and prevent animal abuse. Not to mention, that animal welfarist will see that it is your responsibility to find proper owners for the pets and provide them with all information regarding the pet they're about to buy. For example, if a dog comes with some inherited problem, it is your responsibility to tell the new owner. Just because the animal is out of your hands, does not mean that its 'future suffering' is not your fault.

smeagol · Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

thank you so much for attention and advices..
i really appreciate it...

it seem like it is not easy to open a pet shop :-(

i will start doing my research today...
thanks again..:)

Dr Dunker · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 466 Location: Puchong,Selangor

I think u may b a vet or a vet student ...why not think about setting up clinic??

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Take one step at a time, my friend.

Nothing in life is as easy as it seems. I hope what we say doesn't kill your ambition. You'll be needing lots of it when you attemp anything.