What would you like to see being sold in your local pet shop, forget P@H as some people cannot travel that far who dont own a car. I am talking local, within walking distance.

A bit of common sense, in my opinion, and the realisation of what sort of commitment a body is taking on when they take on a pet of any kind.

to be aware that vet bills can be astronomical,

that worming and jabs don't generally come for free,

that spaying and neutering is must

food ain't cheap

and that you can't just dump your pet because you are going on holiday...

not much to ask, is it?

Condoms for rats:suspect:

Condoms for rats:suspect:

Great thought, but they've got awfully sharp little nails and no opposable thumbs. Who's going to have to put the things on for them?

Great thought, but they've got awfully sharp little nails and no opposable thumbs. Who's going to have to put the things on for them?

:hihi: :hihi:

a morning after pill for animals :D

or a spray that puts em off

I would like to see no animals being sold.

Oh and proper food, not cheap rubbish with no nutritional content.

A bit of common sense, in my opinion, and the realisation of what sort of commitment a body is taking on when they take on a pet of any kind


Someone give PT a job in a pet shop - in fact can we clone her and make sure there's one in every pet shop?!

It would be so refreshing to have someone who actually knows what they are talking about in pet shops.

A bit of common sense, in my opinion, and the realisation of what sort of commitment a body is taking on when they take on a pet of any kind.

to be aware that vet bills can be astronomical,

that worming and jabs don't generally come for free,

that spaying and neutering is must

food ain't cheap

and that you can't just dump your pet because you are going on holiday...

not much to ask, is it?

:o:o I wont be selling animals PT :o:o

Sorry "Pet shop" in the title is the wrong word....."Pet Supplies shop".

If you are planning on opening a pet shop Gemima you could do a whole lot worse than to visit the shop on West Street as a model of the things to stock. That little shop is a mine of lovely pet things and I'd probably spend even more money there if it was closer.

The other really fabulous thing would be to offer a delivery service for those of us who can't pick up bags of cat litter and big bags of dog food.

decent dried ferret food,raw dog food,good quality reptile equipment ie uv lights
my local pet shop sells all this stuff but the quality is sh*t

also good quality flea treatment like and wormers if shops are aloud to sell it aswell as the vets

You have to be licensed to sell frontline or drontal Daz ;)

I agree with Medusa, a delivery service, particularly for the bulkier/ heavier items such as big rat cages/ bunny hutches,those huge bags of animal feed or cat litter etc, would be really, really good.

Gemima, I am so glad to hear that you won't be dealing in animals, just animal supplies. That news has warmed the cockles of my heart! lol

I'd like to see rat supplies, such as toys, gnaws chews etc, as a lot of pet shops don't do much for rats, which is a disappointment to me.

Gemima, I am so glad to hear that you won't be dealing in animals, just animal supplies. That news has warmed the cockles of my heart! lol



I was previously kennel manageress / asst gen manager for a sheffield based animal rescue. I am now on the commitee for Sheff Dog Rescue. I am a veggie and support several animal welfare causes- methinks I would have double standards if I sold animals in a pet shop :hihi:

but you wasn't to know that Plain Talker :hihi

I would like somewhere that doesn't sell fashion trash i.e. dog jumpers with hoods, duffle coats or collars with jewels. I would love someone to make dog bed covers to go over folded duvets, i am thinking of doing some fancy buying some from me :hihi: hehe.
I love the sort of collars and coats that anna from gap makes and Andrea from lurcher link and it would be wonderful if a shop actually stocked this type of quality collar, and fleece/working coat/jumper (maybe a bit of an idea there if you hadn't already thought of it :hihi:).

I would like somewhere with quality grooming products (furminator :hihi:) and supplements etc. that are not full or rubbish and actually serve a purpose.

Good quality food with natural options i.e. nature diet, additive and preservative free kibble.

Someone who knows how to advise on collars and headcollars and fit them. I watched a shop assistant attempting to help a woman with a young lab and a halti and had to go over and intervene, reassure and show how it works :loopy:.

Let dogs come into the shop please :hihi:

Hope this helps, we will visit somewhere like this regularly :)

Oh and maybe stock good quality crates and carriers that aren't a fortune and rubbish i think most people know the sort i mean.

Alligators and Lemurs. Maybe small Tapirs.

You have to be licensed to sell frontline or drontal Daz ;)

But pet shop owners can now be licensed... we're hoping to become SQPs for it but it's so costly to do the course we just can't afford it at the moment!

In answer to Adz requests....I am already a stockist for Gentle Leader I dont particularly like Halti's.

I am looking a quality harnesses if anyone can recommend a brand that would be great.

I will be stocking Burns and also looking for a company to supply natural treats.

I wont be selling dog clothes apart from proper coats.

Dogs will be allowed in, as I am running along side grooming salon.

I am going to talk to Anna about collars and am already a stockist for canac.

I have applied to be a stockist for furminator, just waiting for comfirmation.

I have found a bloke on ebay who sells dog crates I have just bought myself an XXL and its fab. I am looking into this.

The covers sound good, make one and let me have a look.;)

I wont be selling any crappy chews, toys or anything with additives or animal derevitives(sp?).

All my grooming products will not be tested on animals.

In answer to Halibut, Alligators are lovely, but dont they need some sort of water supply?:hihi: I love Lemurs but they will play havoc with the display stands. Tapirs are a bit ugly I dont think there will be much demand in this area.(sorry Tapirs but you are a bit ugly).

Lotti...I didnt know that, how much is the course?

Where and when are you thinking of opening Gemima?

Not entirely sure, Gemima.
We've made a choice not to sell any worming/flea treatments until we have taken the course and become SQPs to sell frontline/stronghold/drontal etc. because the others are just a waste of money!

It's only recently come about that we (as shop owners) can take the course and qualify to sell it. We found out at Glee this year.

I had a rep round from Canac on Friday and he was pushing the Shirleys wormers and flea treatments but I wont be stocking them as they are not as good as frontline and drontal. The course sounds like something to think about in the future.

The shop will be in Dinnington Hayley1.

Yeah it's something we're looking into in the future but I think it's around £250 each and the person selling it has to be a SQP so I can't take the course and have a colleague sell it so for us, it'd be around £500 that we a) don't have and b) won't recover quickly enough!

Have you any idea when you're setting up? We're set up and trading, but most peevishly don't yet have a physical premises! (We know where we want to be but can't afford it yet!)

Will you be selling things for small animals?

I would like to see good sized cages as most pet shops sell cages that are too small without thinking that some poor animal has to live in it. Also good quality hay as most shops sell chopped up rubbish that looks yellow, i like hay that is nice and green such as oxbow hay or some people buy a bale in and bag it up to sell on.

I am waiting for some planning to come through so should be in the New Year if not before Lotti

The shop is primarily a grooming salon for cats and dogs, so I will not be selling small animal stuff, although I do agree with your concerns on that Claireo, I hate to see the small hutches etc outside pet shops!!.

Oooh that's fab Gemima, do let me know how you get on!

We should talk more dearie! :rolleyes:

I helped Di with the SQP course a couple of years ago. I gave her the worming videos and my notes before she did the course. I don’t know whether there are separate courses for equines because obviously it’s much more complex than dogs and cats, so I’ll ask her. OK?

I'd recommend taking a look the3 door crates from doghealth on ebay, very good quality and excellent price. the up and over door is very useful, saves your shins!

also vetbed fleeces.
I've bought oblong pieces rather than shaped and hemmed beds. The animals love their vetbeds and nothing washes and dries as easily.

also decent quality cat carriers seem to be rare in pet shops.

plus good rat food and equipment.

interesting dog toys such as the Kong Wubba range. Our 6 month old pup loves his fleece Kong Wubba. not cheap but better play value compared to shoddy rubber toys that are in bits and ready for the bin after a few hours of use.

Gemima can't wait to visit, come shopping and have hairy dogs groomed all at the same time.

I know you know what you are doing just had some ideas that i would mention in case you had not thought of them. Will make a cover and let you know, am practising at the moment.

Good luck

And for anyone who has not used Gemima's grooming service she is wonderful. She is thorough, knowledgeable and great with my awkward but wonderful hairy big dog all for a really good price. I certainly will be booking in to go to the new salon.

I'd recommend taking a look the3 door crates from doghealth on ebay, very good quality and excellent price. the up and over door is very useful, saves your shins!

also vetbed fleeces.
I've bought oblong pieces rather than shaped and hemmed beds. The animals love their vetbeds and nothing washes and dries as easily.

also decent quality cat carriers seem to be rare in pet shops.

plus good rat food and equipment.

interesting dog toys such as the Kong Wubba range. Our 6 month old pup loves his fleece Kong Wubba. not cheap but better play value compared to shoddy rubber toys that are in bits and ready for the bin after a few hours of use.

I am going to be using vetbed, bought some at crufts a few years ago and I love it.

I am going to be stocking training toys and robust toys such as Kongs,tuggers etc. I will also be selling training aids such as clickers.

Thankyou Adz for your kind words. I will make sure that your dogs will get a special treat from under the counter, seeing as they are regulars.:hihi::heyhey:

If you are planning on opening a pet shop Gemima you could do a whole lot worse than to visit the shop on West Street as a model of the things to stock. That little shop is a mine of lovely pet things and I'd probably spend even more money there if it was closer.

The other really fabulous thing would be to offer a delivery service for those of us who can't pick up bags of cat litter and big bags of dog food.

I LOVE that little shop- pity I cant always get to it but every visit I find something new - and you're right Medusa, they dont sell any crap - it's all good quality stuff.

In answer to Adz requests....I am already a stockist for Gentle Leader I dont particularly like Halti's.

I am looking a quality harnesses if anyone can recommend a brand that would be great.

I will be stocking Burns and also looking for a company to supply natural treats.

I wont be selling dog clothes apart from proper coats.

Dogs will be allowed in, as I am running along side grooming salon.

I am going to talk to Anna about collars and am already a stockist for canac.

I have applied to be a stockist for furminator, just waiting for comfirmation.

I have found a bloke on ebay who sells dog crates I have just bought myself an XXL and its fab. I am looking into this.

The covers sound good, make one and let me have a look.;)

I wont be selling any crappy chews, toys or anything with additives or animal derevitives(sp?).

All my grooming products will not be tested on animals.

In answer to Halibut, Alligators are lovely, but dont they need some sort of water supply?:hihi: I love Lemurs but they will play havoc with the display stands. Tapirs are a bit ugly I dont think there will be much demand in this area.(sorry Tapirs but you are a bit ugly).

Lotti...I didnt know that, how much is the course?

Quality head harnesses- without a doubt the best and strongest I've ever bought are dogmatic - and theyve started distributing through other suppliers now too- originally you could onliy buy them direct from dogmatic.org.uk. Ailsa managed to break our gentle leader almost as soon as she first wore it. I wish I could remember the name of the dog chews in the shape of alligators - bought some from Crufts and Ailsa loved em- not full of additives.

I think I know the chews you mean, are they green? I will look out for them.;)

If you need any help I know a very willing Teenage Girl who would love to help :)

LOL Lindsey. Having met her I know I could trust her, she is full of compassion for those dogs of yours. ;)

woooo exciting just seen this, do get in touch if you want to talk about anything Ange, Im also sellign greyhound coats now and i know these are hard to come by so another thing for you to consider. Most of all good luck. Im hopefully starting up my own doggy business soon, not pet shop though so dont worry. ill be pet sitting/walking. anna.x.

I'd love to see compulsory animal welfare courses.

Personally I think thre canny collar is the best leader trainer, and impossible to find, but there is a great little pet shop in crookes that I found them in and I wouldn't want to take her business, she's fab!

Indestructable toys are a must for us too

The other really fabulous thing would be to offer a delivery service for those of us who can't pick up bags of cat litter and big bags of dog food.

God, what a great idea, I have a right laugh trying to lug two great bags of hay and a bag of cat litter that weighs about the same as I do onto the bus:suspect::lol:

nature diet and csj foods especially lamb and rice. anna.x.

nature diet and csj foods especially lamb and rice. anna.x.

Ooh yes I have just had a right old performance getting hold of this stuff !

The Mutts Nutz do Nature Diet in Lamb and Rice (as well as a few other varieties). We've also got some fact sheets on order to try and promote this a little.

I've always found it odd that this food isn't a little more popular :)

I think I know the chews you mean, are they green? I will look out for them.;)

Green - or a yellowy colour, yes, they're the ones. CEREA - just done a google and found em here http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/cerea_vegetarian_dog_chews.html
We bought a selection inc the toothbrush ones for Ailsa and she loved them.

I think this is the wholesaler http://www.antosuk.com/

The Mutts Nutz do Nature Diet in Lamb and Rice (as well as a few other varieties). We've also got some fact sheets on order to try and promote this a little.

I've always found it odd that this food isn't a little more popular :)

It's brilliant value too. We only buy that or Nature's Menu. I once contacted Nature Diet to ask if they would manufacture a cat version and they said they were interested but needed to work out the manufacturing logistics - they're only set up to package in the size currently sold.

Have you tried Almo Nature? I don't own cats so I haven't tried it but looking at the literature from our stockists, it looks very similar in its ideas :)

Have you tried Almo Nature? I don't own cats so I haven't tried it but looking at the literature from our stockists, it looks very similar in its ideas :)

Sounds interesting- is it a dried or wet food? We buy Nature's Menu for them, amongst other things (fussy things, felines- we have to provide a range of foods, otherwise they get huffy - whereas dobermutt will eat what's put in her bowl). We're going to the Supreme on Sunday at the NEC -expect a lot of suppliers will be there so will look out for Almo.

Havent seen it in the pet superstores - when you say stockists- whereabouts are you based?

Just had a look at the website but link isnt working properly- but I think we may have bought some last year, and it was very similar to Applaws and our cats lapped it up (in small cans)

We're just a small venture at the moment so whilst we're saving up for premises we just work from home and deliver items ordered personally (free in Sheffield!) We also have another trick up our sleeves but more about that later!

There a clicky in my signature to our SF thread, Katkin :D

There a clicky in my signature to our SF thread, Katkin :D

It's only showing one product at the moment - unless I'm missing something? If you've got a product list/ price list,I'd be interested, thanks xK

The Mutts Nutz do Nature Diet in Lamb and Rice (as well as a few other varieties). We've also got some fact sheets on order to try and promote this a little.

I've always found it odd that this food isn't a little more popular :)

What's the price on this Helly ?

Safe to say everyone wants to see lots of stuff for their particular animal...so for me...

Reggie Rat branded food + treats. Selection of rattie cages.
Various sizes of cricket and locusts that are actually fresh! (yeah, I know. Not gonna happen!)
A pile of my photography flyers on the counter... ;)

Drat! That's supposed to link to the pet services thread...

I'll sort it out later, for now if you go to the pet services, my post is the last one on there I think :D

The website on that thread is useless, we're having a new one built but I can send out a catalogue if you want (I'm just doing the puppy and xmas ones now)

What's the price on this Helly ?

Well, they're 69p each but we'll do a week pack (7) for £4.60 or any 18 for £12.00.

We have:
original with rice and carrots
chicken with rice and carrots
lamb with rice and carrots
chicken & tripe
fish & rice

Lite Diet (higher fibre, lower protein)
puppy diet
sensitive gold
senior gold
optima gold

(sorry if someone has said this but i'm short on time and if I wait i'll forget :roll:)

Veg packs for guniea pigs, hamsters, rabbits etc :) It is supprising how many people don't realise that they have to have these!

(sorry if someone has said this but i'm short on time and if I wait i'll forget :roll:)

Veg packs for guniea pigs, hamsters, rabbits etc :) It is supprising how many people don't realise that they have to have these!

good thinking batman.

Green - or a yellowy colour, yes, they're the ones. CEREA - just done a google and found em here http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/cerea_vegetarian_dog_chews.html
We bought a selection inc the toothbrush ones for Ailsa and she loved them.

I think this is the wholesaler http://www.antosuk.com/

The lady at crookes does them too, infact I've just discovered her shop and she's fab, so personally I think you owuldn't go far wrong with another shop the same. Very helpful and friendly and in small business retail thats worth its weight in gold

good thinking batman.

Thanks, i'll have the batman tune in my head all day now :hihi:
Seriously though, i think veg shops should do it too but pet shops would be good. Obviously what veg is good for one pet isn't good for another so if the veg came packed (bit like the stew packs you can buy) there wouldn't be a problem! Oh and it would make my life easier :hihi:

Cat scratching posts that are designed to allow cats to stand up n scratch- most in the pet shops n superstores are too short.

Cat scratching posts that are designed to allow cats to stand up n scratch- most in the pet shops n superstores are too short.

And they're not sturdy enough either, hence I was told to get some rope, and securely attach it to the corner of a wall as far up as the cat needs... cheaper and far more effective cos that's where cats want to scratch!

And they're not sturdy enough either, hence I was told to get some rope, and securely attach it to the corner of a wall as far up as the cat needs... cheaper and far more effective cos that's where cats want to scratch!

Youve just reminded me- when we got Amber and Raggy, the other half decided to build an activity /climbing frame for them that was 8 foot high and had lots of shelves and scratching posts on it- we spent a fortune on sisal rope and it took forever to wrap it round and round and round the pole... It lasted pretty well but eventaully we got fed up of it (and of cracking our heads on it everytime we went to open the dormer window! Wish I could remember what we did with all that rope.

There's an Ancol scratching post that's really big- FATBOY I think they call it and another make thats about 80cm high but generally they're only about 40cm high or have silly boxes and attachments on them that our cats just arent interested in. The last one we had we ditched the attachments and just fastened all the different height scratch posts to the base - It's at the top of the stairs and they love having 5-6 different height poles to scratch at (but it's starting to look a bit tatty now).

I'd like a pet pedometer that can be put on a hamster cage. I saw one somewhere and thought it was utterly stupid but now am really interested to see how far the little critter goes in a night!!

I would like to see more people stock reptile food and supplies there are some real sums of money in it if you advertise enough.

Dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs.

Very droll. ;)

Or have I mispelled the word? Yep! I got the first letter wrong. :hihi:

Very droll. ;)

Or have I mispelled the word? Yep! I got the first letter wrong. :hihi:

haha lovin' it...

Green - or a yellowy colour, yes, they're the ones. CEREA - just done a google and found em here http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/cerea_vegetarian_dog_chews.html
We bought a selection inc the toothbrush ones for Ailsa and she loved them.

I think this is the wholesaler http://www.antosuk.com/

I've just noticed these chews in our catalogue, don't they look funky!

Are they any good then Katkin, I was wondering whether it'd be worth getting any in or whether people won't like them.

The hedgehog ones do look ever so sweet though

I've just noticed these chews in our catalogue, don't they look funky!

Are they any good then Katkin, I was wondering whether it'd be worth getting any in or whether people won't like them.

The hedgehog ones do look ever so sweet though

'Nellie seems to enjoy them. Bought a couple from the stall on the market on the moor last week- 85p each. You can get toothbrush shaped ones as well