How to Go Humane if You Are a Pet Store Owner

Grand Opening of Orange Bone, a Humane Pet Store in Los Angeles

If you own a pet store and purchase your dogs from large-scale breeding facilities ("puppy mills") either directly or through brokers (as most stores that sell dogs do), you can help put these inhumane breeders out of business by having homeless dogs from shelters and rescue groups available for adoption instead. Once the demand stops, the supply will have to stop and the puppy mills will be forced to shut down. The following are ways for you to join the humane pet store trend--in order to help alleviate the pet overpopulation crisis and save the lives of homeless pets--yet still profit from your business.

Instructions

1. Contact Best Friends Animal Society or Last Chance for Animals (LCA) about converting to a humane model pet store. They will be glad to assist you with obtaining dogs from local shelters and rescue groups, as well as help promote your business. They are reputable animal welfare organizations that are known nationally (see Resources below).

2. Set up meetings with directors of local animal shelters and rescues in your area to see about an arrangement whereby you can obtain dogs from them to have available for adoption at your store.

3. If dogs are all you sell, odds are you won't be able to survive in business with just shelter dogs, as the adoption fee you'll charge will only be about $300. Look into hiring a full-time groomer and/or selling pet food and supplies. There are various pet stores in the Los Angeles area that have shelter dogs and are doing well (see Resources below). If you sell pet supplies, but still don't think you will profit with rescue dogs, look into expanding your inventory. In spite of the poor economy, people still love their pets and there will always be a demand for pet supplies, including specialty gift items. Consider unusual items that no other pet stores in the area carry. Pet food delivery might be a viable option for edging out the competition.

4. If you do convert to a humane model, especially if you are the first in your area to do so, alert the media including local newspapers and TV stations. People will be very happy to hear the news of a pet store in their area that has rescue dogs, and you will be giving a big boost to your business at the same time.

Tips & Warnings

• Most shelters spay/neuter and update pets on vaccinations before they adopt them out, so that is an expense you and your customers won't have to incur. The shelters also provide a health guarantee for a certain period of time (some up to 30 days) that you can extend to your customers.

• There are still many people who prefer not to visit a shelter and would rather get a dog from a pet shop. You will be providing that service, except you will be doing it the humane way instead of supporting puppy mills!

• You should probably concentrate on getting puppies and smaller dogs up to 2 years old since that is likely what you have room for and what the majority of your customers will want. This will at least free up space at the shelter for older and larger dogs to get adopted. The more room at the shelter, the longer the animals will be kept alive and the better their chance of adoption.

• In addition to dogs, consider offering adoptable cats and rabbits from shelters. There are plenty that need homes

• From time to time the dogs you take in may need to be quarantined in a separate area (such as in back of the store) due to kennel cough or another illness, in order to prevent the spread to your other dogs. Make sure you have ample space to keep the quarantined dogs comfortable until they get well and are ready for adoption.

Resources

• Pet Store in Los Angeles Goes Humane
• Pet Store in San Fernando Valley Goes Humane
• Best Friends: About Puppy Mills
• Best Friends: Puppies Aren't Products Campaign
• LCA: Ban Puppy Mills