You might even choose to draw up a set of ethical criteria which your breeders have to meet in order to supply you. In order to open a pet shop from which to sell live animals, you’ll need to obtain a specific pet shop license from your local authority – who will only grant you one if you satisfy their requirements and prove you can care for your animals and run a safe shop. That many don’t approve of pets being sold from shops is true – but this is often because a lot of pet shops buy cheap livestock from battery farms which treat their animals poorly (or even cruelly). Many cities and towns outright ban “pit bulls.”. Social media is an opportunity to both get creative and really hone your brand voice – so have fun with it! Why do people visit them? This is a free service where you can list need-to-know information about your shop. Your area may allow you to apply for a pet license through the mail with a check or online using a credit card. Some municipalities, including Little Rock, require licensing for cats too. Once you’ve found ideal breeders, use the results of your market research to buy a small number of animals which you know to be popular in your area. Multi-year and lifetime licenses are typically unavailable. This includes online businesses and those operating from domestic premises. All aquatic retailers which sell vertebrates (such as fish) need a pet shop licence from their local authority to trade. You can see a summary of … Visit our Complaints Policy page if you experience issues. Pet Animals Act 1951 (c. 35 14 and 15 Geo 6). Some business insurance providers will offer a package of covers tailored specifically to pet shops – it’s worth looking for one of these and ensuring that the policies cover you for all possible eventualities. It is in the public interest … Which animals do they love? It’s not much of a surprise, then, that the money we spend on pets has been consistently on the rise for a number of years. Eligibility criteria: Applicants for a pet shop licence must not be disqualified from keeping a pet shop. We will be carrying out inspections after lockdown but will try to restrict our time in your premises as much as possible; if you could send us any paperwork by Email in advance of your inspection, that would certainly help. Writing a business plan is a lengthy process, but doing so will prove a valuable exercise – not to mention that any future investors or loan providers will want to see it. Sign up for a. Your main costs will come from: It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how much a pet shop will cost to launch – but, all in all, you can expect to pay between £10,000 and £50,000 to get going. Some states also offer discounts for service or therapy dogs (license should still be secured but the fees are discounted or even sometimes free) or when applying for several dogs. Pet shops can have a reputation as being cramped and dingy, and you don’t want to play into this stereotype – for the benefit of both your customers and (if you sell pets themselves) your animals. Your pet will also be licensed as a ‘proper pet’ and will need to comply with specific health and safety standards. This includes: 1. pet shops 2. businesses selling animals over the internet We may authorise an officer, veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect licensed premises. Get the latest Startup news and information. It also requires a $150 annual fee for “dangerous dog breeds”. This includes all commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and businesses selling animals over the internet. The cages, tanks and enclosures in which you keep your animals must be a comfortable size, the right temperature, have suitable lighting, have suitable ventilation and be clean. Pet shop licence. Expect even bigger discounts for senior, low income or disabled pet owners. They’re life-affirming, offering unconditional companionship. The state does not legally require licensing for dogs and cats. Disqualification from keeping a pet shop for a set amount of time, Employers’ liability insurance (if you hire staff), Investigating local farms and finding out whether they breed and sell pets, Asking fellow pet industry peers for recommendations, Finding out where other pet shops in your area get their animals or products from, Using an online forum to ask pet shops to rate their favourite breeders and/or suppliers, Visiting pet industry trade shows to meet wholesalers, our guide to starting your own dog walking business, our guide to sources of finance for small businesses, our guide to insurance for pet industry businesses, Business bank accounts are an essential tool for new businesses. Pet retail licensing is currently enshrined within the 1951 Pet Animals Act, which requires vendors to obtain a licence from their local authority in order to sell pets. These licenses are usually about $50 to $100. They give us purpose; something to care for, interact with and look forward to seeing after work each day. To differentiate yourself further (and potentially supplement your income), you could also consider running pet-related services or experiences from your shop – as long as you have the expertise to do so. This can take around four weeks but can vary. This is as simple as writing and printing leaflets about your shop and posting them through local homes’ letterboxes. A copy of these ‘Licence Conditions and Guidance for Pet Shops’ must be readily available for viewing by members of the public at the Pet Shop. Startup loans can be a great option. Applicants for a pet shop licence must not be disqualified from keeping a pet shop, and will need to comply with any conditions imposed as part of the licence. With customers who are looking for pets and pet supplies already attracted to the area, you can benefit from the other pet shops’ marketing efforts too by reeling them into your shop instead. These rules are drafted in accordance with section 38 of Prevention of […] Besides being able to comply with a government mandate, this can also be particularly useful (but not required) when traveling with your pet in and out of the country. Not all would be fine with an extra pet cost no matter how small or insignificant it might be. The leaflets should be well-designed and of a professional standard, so it’ll be worth enlisting the help of someone who knows design; perhaps even a freelancer. One great thing about marketing a pet shop is that you’ve a key subject – animals – that strikes a chord with plenty of people. Most licenses are annual but some places also offer other terms. Try starting an online survey or holding a focus group to find out. That being said, dog breeds are nearly impossible to prove and it is best to register your dog as a similar non-banned breed. Look into the pet shops in your area and make note of what they’re selling and what they aren’t. Most lifetime licenses require that your pet has a microchip. But little did they know that 1 out of 3 pets get lost or stolen in their lifetime and those numbers include indoor pets that wandered off just because someone has left the door or the gate open. If you want to ‘keep a pet shop’ you must obtain a licence from your local authority which needs to be renewed annually. You can even give your website a wider appeal by writing and sharing blog posts about choosing pets, caring for animals, your favourite products and more. You can’t sell animals as pets in public places - eg from a market stall. In order to stock your shop with pet food, equipment, grooming products and accessories, you’ll need to source items from a reputable (and affordable) wholesale pet shop supplier. $1.50 to $50 annual dog license required in many cities and towns (typically about $10), $10 to $50 annual cat license (typically about $10, but rarely required), $10 to $45 annual dog license required in many cities and towns (typically about $20), Multi-year licensing available in Anchorage, $6 to $104 annual dog license required in most counties (typically $21), Multi-year licensing available in some counties, $5 to $150 (often plus microchip) annual dog license in many cities and towns  (typically about $10), $5 to $32.50 (often plus microchip) annual cat license in some cities and towns (typically about $10), $7.50 to $80 (often plus microchip) annual dog license (typically about $20), $7 to $10 (plus microchip) annual cat license (typically about $10, only sometimes required), Multi-year licenses available in some locations. Pet shop licence. In fact, pet license has a negative connotation to a lot of pet owners. UK law states that you cannot sell any animals to anyone under the age of 12 – doing so will likely result in your license being revoked. Application Evaluation Process. In fact, this is the main reason why “fixed” pets are cheaper to register – it’s the government’s way to control the animal population. Securing a pet license is relatively easy and mostly include documents that you already have in your possession. You want to make it as easy as possible for people to travel to visit you. 2.The applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Poorly put-together adverts will only reflect badly on your business. Eligibility criteria Applicants for a pet shop licence must not be disqualified from keeping a pet shop. You can have these printed off yourself at minimal cost or, if you’d rather run a larger-scale campaign, have another organisation manage the campaign for you at a higher cost. As well as any niche you carve for yourself, providing a personalised, informed and friendly service will really help you to compete with other shops and secure repeat custom. Cats are also required to be licensed in many municipalities. Can you specialise in that animal, offering a variety of species and/or an inventory of supplies specially tailored to their needs? Mammals must reach a certain age before they’re sold. What are their criteria for buying food, equipment, etc.? While the pet industry presents fantastic opportunities for business growth, it’s also rather saturated and competitive. The local … Place adverts for your pet shop in local newspapers and magazines (at little cost), or even consider advertising on local radio or television channels (at a much higher cost). When it comes to coming up with pet shop name ideas, you'll want to ensure you find something that makes your niche clear, reflects the tone of your business (for example, is it top class, premium luxury or more fun and friendly? Funding is one of the biggest obstacles to new business. Animals are adequately exercised. Offer pet grooming or pet sitting services. However, you do not need a licence to sell: pedigree animals that you’ve bred; animals that are offspring of your own pet; The licence is valid for 1, 2 or 3 years. Here are some key marketing techniques to start out with: Every small business should have a sleek, well-designed website with effective SEO (search engine optimisation). As well as accommodation, you’ll also need your own supply of products – such as cleaning equipment, food, toys, grooming tools and accessories – to care for the animals while they’re in your shop. Pet Shop Licence Fees; Licence Type Fee (from 1 April 2020) Boarding for cats and/or dogs : £306 + vet fee (if required) Selling animals as pets: £306 + vet fee (if required) Breeding dogs: £306 … In your leaflets, you’ll want to make it clear what your business does, write about any offers or deals, list any special experiences or services you’re running, and provide contact details and – crucially – your shop’s address. Need to know: While pet shops in the UK are legally allowed to sell cats, the practice has been discouraged by animal welfare organisations who have concerns over the living conditions and level of social interaction cats would face in a shop (pet shops have been banned from selling dogs on similar grounds, and to prevent the success of puppy farms).Similarly, while some pet shops sell birds, many believe that the retail environment isn’t conducive to the wellbeing of these animals (with the exception of garden centres and specialist shops with aviaries). Offer petting zoo-style, ‘meet the animals’ sessions with the pets in your shop to appeal to children and families. Pet shop licence. These are usually comprised of the following: The cost of pet license is for the unique serial number that acts as an identifier for each individual pet that appears in a tag which also includes the pet owner’s information. Primary authority scheme for pet shops. So, be prepared for an element of trial and error here. CURRENT PET SHOP LICENCE CONDITIONS ANNEX A Licence display .1 This licence, or a copy of this licence, should be displayed to the public in a prominent position. Remember, your space should be warm, well-lit and inviting. The products you choose to stock will depend on your niche, but don’t fill your shop to the brim using your first order (that will cost you a lot of money and could result in a lot of wasted stock – a shopkeeper’s nightmare). How much will the licence cost? Remember also to always check the health credentials of an animal before you buy it. Failure to obtain a licence, or breach of its conditions, could see you facing a fine and/or imprisonment. In the 60 years since its introduction, pet ownership has changed beyond recognition, the internet has changed the way we shop and pet shops as a shopping experience have changed irrevocably. A handfull of places ban “pit bulls” and similar breeds. Applying for a pet shop licence . All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent and control the spread among animals of … For CO residents not living in a municipality requiring licensing: For CO residents living in most populated areas: Note that many cities, such as Denver and Aurora, ban “pit bulls” and similar breeds. You can find the right website building tool for you by filling in our free comparison form. This includes all commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and businesses selling animals over the internet. Licence summary: To run a business selling pet animals you need a licence from us. Pet shops have to put every bird/animal for exhibition/sale inside the shop premises. Animals are adequately supplied with suitable food, drink, and bedding material. However, OATA has long argued that the current system for licensing pet shops does not provide … How Much Does Cherry Eye Surgery Cost In Dogs? In order to appear, you need to first register with Google My Business (GMB). Animals must be fed and watered, with the right food for them, as often as they need. To find out how you can bring something new to the table, your first step should be conducting market research. It is up to you to decide how much you want to pay. Spaying or neutering your pet is a wise thing to do if you don’t wish it to breed. So, if you have any reason to doubt that a customer is old enough, be sure to ask for proof of age. General licence fees and charges (PDF 244 KB) Link opens in a new window . 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