Pet Stores

[dyeman]

I am new to the board. My wife and I own a local pet store. We are life long animal lovers and activists and have passed this trait to our son who is studying to become a vet.

I have noticed on this board what I have perceived to be a bias against pet stores. I may have just joined at a bad time, but it seems like every section has a rant somewhere on it about pet stores.

I thought I might tell our story:

When we moved to town we had ferrets, cats, dogs, birds and fish. We obviously needed a good pet store for supplies. We visited the local pet shop and were appalled. The bird cages has 2" of dried droppings in the bottom, the fish tanks had dead fish floating in most of the tanks and the animals were in similar states of filth. We reported the conditions repeatedly and although they are no longer allowed to sell cats and dogs, the other conditions remain largely unchanged.

I decided then and there that if I ever got in the position to open a store that would give the local people a better alternative, I would. Last year in May we acheived that dream. We opened a small store downtown with small animals, a few birds and supplies. We keep the store clean and the animals are well cared for and receive love and interaction every day for the most part. Keeping a store clean and odor free is hard, but I decided that if I was going to do this, that was a priority.

As far as birds, we sell parakeets, lovebirds, finches and have 4-5 parrots in the store most of the time, but only one Macaw or large 'Too at a time. I breed selected conures and Mini Macaws because I don't like breeders that pull eggs and most of them around here do that.

We have a vet come in twice a year to check conditions and the health of all the animals, but the birds in particular. He also used to do exams for customers while he was there, but is no longer able to. (Thats another story).

Anyway, I think we run a clean, safe, educational store. We only sell animals and supplies that we are knowledgable about. I think we are a good alternative to the big chains or the dirty stores like the one that inspired us to attempt this adventure.

I guess what I want to say is don't judge all pet stores on the bad experiences you have had. A good knowledgable local pet professional is invaluable with birds or any other of God's creatures.

I don't want to use this post to advertise, but just so you know this isn't just BS, anyone who would like to know the location and/or name of my store, just email me at dyeman@shelby.net

I appreciate the forum to get this off my chest.

Scott

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by dyeman

I am new to the board. My wife and I own a local pet store. We are life long animal lovers and activists and have passed this trait to our son who is studying to become a vet.

I have noticed on this board what I have perceived to be a bias against pet stores. I may have just joined at a bad time, but it seems like every section has a rant somewhere on it about pet stores.

I thought I might tell our story:

When we moved to town we had ferrets, cats, dogs, birds and fish. We obviously needed a good pet store for supplies. We visited the local pet shop and were appalled. The bird cages has 2" of dried droppings in the bottom, the fish tanks had dead fish floating in most of the tanks and the animals were in similar states of filth. We reported the conditions repeatedly and although they are no longer allowed to sell cats and dogs, the other conditions remain largely unchanged.

I decided then and there that if I ever got in the position to open a store that would give the local people a better alternative, I would. Last year in May we acheived that dream. We opened a small store downtown with small animals, a few birds and supplies. We keep the store clean and the animals are well cared for and receive love and interaction every day for the most part. Keeping a store clean and odor free is hard, but I decided that if I was going to do this, that was a priority.

As far as birds, we sell parakeets, lovebirds, finches and have 4-5 parrots in the store most of the time, but only one Macaw or large 'Too at a time. I breed selected conures and Mini Macaws because I don't like breeders that pull eggs and most of them around here do that.

We have a vet come in twice a year to check conditions and the health of all the animals, but the birds in particular. He also used to do exams for customers while he was there, but is no longer able to. (Thats another story).

Anyway, I think we run a clean, safe, educational store. We only sell animals and supplies that we are knowledgable about. I think we are a good alternative to the big chains or the dirty stores like the one that inspired us to attempt this adventure.

I guess what I want to say is don't judge all pet stores on the bad experiences you have had. A good knowledgable local pet professional is invaluable with birds or any other of God's creatures.

I don't want to use this post to advertise, but just so you know this isn't just BS, anyone who would like to know the location and/or name of my store, just email me at dyeman@shelby.net

I appreciate the forum to get this off my chest.

Scott

Scott, All I can say is thank God for people like you and your wife and your pet shop. Most pet stores are not good places for animals or people for that matter. There are some good ones and it seems they have to try even harder to overcome the bad press the others give all pet stores. Personally I don't care for pet shops, but I do agree we need some GOOD ones and I wish every town had at least ONE like yours. Glad you could "vent".
Sincerely,
Linda & Skye~

[The Outlaw]

Thanks for posting, Scott. I don't think you are even the exception to the rule. The idea that all stores only care about money is ridiculous. Its like people working in flower shops. Its their LOVE for flowers that sends them there in the first place. I think that small shops, especially, are often ideal places to purchase birds. You get to know the owners and staff and the turnover is usually much less. I'm sure that like all things there are plenty of lousy ones and that's why we have animal protection laws in every state.

I have a friend here in Maryland who sold me 5 of my 10 birds and I'm delighted with every single one. I have no regrets. She is knowledgable and stocks most of the stuff I ask for. I still like to recommend good breeders as well, for they are truly the mother and father birds along the way. Still in many petshops the staff is trained on handfeeding and lots of other useful stuff. I even like our local Petsmart. Its run by people who listen and are willing to implement changes when necessary.

So, please understand that not everyone has a Jones for petstores. Most folks actually meet their very first birds in petstores and go from there.

By the way, where does the name Dyeman come from?

THE OUTLAW

[dyeman]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Thanks for posting, Scott. I don't think you are even the exception to the rule. The idea that all stores only care about money is ridiculous. Its like people working in flower shops. Its their LOVE for flowers that sends them there in the first place. I think that small shops, especially, are often ideal places to purchase birds. You get to know the owners and staff and the turnover is usually much less. I'm sure that like all things there are plenty of lousy ones and that's why we have animal protection laws in every state.

I have a friend here in Maryland who sold me 5 of my 10 birds and I'm delighted with every single one. I have no regrets. She is knowledgable and stocks most of the stuff I ask for. I still like to recommend good breeders as well, for they are truly the mother and father birds along the way. Still in many petshops the staff is trained on handfeeding and lots of other useful stuff. I even like our local Petsmart. Its run by people who listen and are willing to implement changes when necessary.

So, please understand that not everyone has a Jones for petstores. Most folks actually meet their very first birds in petstores and go from there.

By the way, where does the name Dyeman come from?

THE OUTLAW

I appreciate the comments, it can be hard work, but its very rewarding as well.

The pet store is full time for my wife and part time for me. That is one of the main reasons its a labor of love rather than just about money. I sell dyes for the textiles and plastics industries, hence the email handle "dyeman".

However dyes in any kind of pet food are a BAD idea. This is a problem I have with Zupreem among others, but thats a rant for another day.

Scott

[mamalovesrico]

Nice to meet you Scott and glad to see you here. When I have questions about petshops I will send them your way Welcome to birdboard!

[LMPego]

Hi, Scott, and welcome.
I have no problem with most of the pet stores in my area. I think there are good and bad stores and good and bad people that work in them. I give everyone a chance and stop frequenting the ones that don't listen to me when I express my concerns about the conditions or care of the animals. My first bird was from a PetCo, and although she is not at all what they told me (a 12 week old male, instead of the 16 week old female she turned out to be and clearly unsocialized) I wouldn't trade her for the world.

[Willow]

Hi Scott,
Is there anyway to convince you not to sell small animals? So mANY guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, chinchillas, degus, etc. due in shelters every day for lack of homes. I myself run a guinea pig rescue and I never have enough space to help all the pigs in need. I know the rat rescue is overflowing, as well as the rabbit rescue. I've had to stop shopping at the local store chain (5 stores) because they continue to sell small animals despite the huge over population problem. I know opay a little more at the one store which sells no animals, or I order online and pay shipping, but I do refuse to give my business to a store which is helping to fuel the overpopulation of these pets.
Just my two cents!
Sincerely,

[dyeman]

Originally Posted by Willow

Hi Scott,
Is there anyway to convince you not to sell small animals? So mANY guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, chinchillas, degus, etc. due in shelters every day for lack of homes. I myself run a guinea pig rescue and I never have enough space to help all the pigs in need. I know the rat rescue is overflowing, as well as the rabbit rescue. I've had to stop shopping at the local store chain (5 stores) because they continue to sell small animals despite the huge over population problem. I know opay a little more at the one store which sells no animals, or I order online and pay shipping, but I do refuse to give my business to a store which is helping to fuel the overpopulation of these pets.
Just my two cents!
Sincerely,

I agree with you Willow, but again you are making some assumptions about my store that are invalid.

Yes, I sell small animals in my store including the following:

Ferrets, G. Pigs, Rabbits, Hamsters and occasionally Chinchillas.

The Rabbits I primarily get from a local Rescue operation and a breeder that breeds strictly show rabbits and has no outlet for the rabbits that don't meet her standard. You may have problems with the show breeder, but her rabbits are going to be on the market somewhere and we educate our customers as to what they are getting into and I tell everyone that I will take the rabbit back if they can't keep it for some reason. I don't refund their money, but I take any healthy rabbit in whether it came from me or not.

My G. Pigs are pretty much the same story except for the rescue part. We don't have one in our area and I do know that there is not near the problem with them in our area. I also buy from a show breeder and make the same statement to anyone buying a Pig from me. As long as they are healthy, I will take them back no questions asked.

The Ferrets are from Marshall and I do have some problems with their massive breeding operation, but theirs are the healthiest available and we really don't sell that many. I have rehomed 2 Ferrets this year as well.

The only Chinchillas we have sold lately were 2 rehomes since Christmas.

Hamsters are another story. We sell quite a few, but we breed most of what we sell and we again will take in healthy ones that people no longer want.

We sell no Dogs, Cats or Exotics.

I have also personally rehomed 7 birds since we reopened, and this is a little more difficult since our quarantine facilities for birds are limited.

We try to educate anyone buying any living thing what they are getting into and we have numerous times refused to sell to certain customers.

We truly are not in this for the money, although the store will have to eventually be profitable to survive.

Personally I have found some of the local "rescues" to be nothing more than animal hoarders and in some cases the poor things are in worse situations than any pet store I have seen.

I just ask to be judged by my works, not what you perceive them to be by looking at other stores.

Scott

[Michellew]

We have a friends who owns a small pet store and its the only place we buy stuff (support the little guy right :icon_mrgr ) they are also the breeders of our CAG, they are great caring people that really do care where the animals go. (And trust me they aren’t rich from it LOL but it is a living) I agree; to bash all pet stores is just not right, Talk about stereotyping eh.
Michelle

[yehudasf]

BS"D

Count me as on of many who react in a viscerally negative manner to the words "pet shop". It has been my unfortunate experience that most are at best lackadaisical in their approach to hygenic conditions in the animal areas, care for the animals (especially any that have become ill), and most glaringly training of staff. Some of the pet shops I've encountered have been shut down because of the heinous conditions therein. Some are actively negligent of the creatures in their care, seeking only the main chance for a quick quid from an unsuspecting public. Evil people who make a living off of the misery of animals & the gullibility of customers in this era are truly the inheritors of the slave traders of yore.
There are however, some few that I have experienced who care deeply for the animals, try to educate the pet-purchasing-public, and whose facilities you could happily bring one of your own psittazens into without fear of death or contagion. Merchants who run shops of this sort will turn down sales if they believe it not to be in the best interest of the pet or the potential buyer. While profit is necessary, it never comes before care & responsibility to the animals. I am glad to see that you (dyeman) are of that order. Given the chance I look forward to seeing your shop in the near future. With the plethora of irresponsible cretins in the pet trade, we need all of the educated, dedicated persons of good will we can get.