Pet Supplies

Starting up your own business is something that requires a lot of time, patience and energy, and running your own pet grooming business from home is no different. With a lot of planning, however, you can turn your simple idea into a business venture. By following several steps, you can open a business that makes both you and a number of pets happy.

Instructions

Plan ahead

1 Do research. Several states have regulations which make it impossible to run a pet grooming business from home. Make sure your state is not one of them.
2 Get trained. You need to be trained in pet grooming before you can become a groomer. Learn how to groom several different types of pets. (Trimming a dog's nails can be different from trimming a cat's, for example). Some pet stores offer classes. You could also take classes at your local community college if they are offered. As of 2010, tuition can cost $7000 or more, depending on the school. Alternatively, read up on pet grooming or find a mentor who can teach you the how-tos of grooming and handling temperamental pets. (A cat may be more difficult to work with than a dog; learn the best way to handle different types of animals). A certificate is not required to become a groomer but it may help your credibility in the long run.
3 Make a business plan. Decide how much you want to charge per pet. You may wish to charge more for large dogs than small ones, for example. As of 2010, the average cost of having a dog groomed in a salon ranges from $30 for smaller breeds to $70 for larger breeds, not including extras such as brushing the dog's teeth. Set a price for special situations. For example, long haired cats may need extra care when grooming a matted coat.
Groomers who work from home normally charge less than salons. You may want to compare prices with other local groomers for a more accurate idea. Ask yourself if you have the time, experience, and equipment to offer the wide range of services that a salon offers.
4 Take into consideration the start-up cost of the business, including grooming supplies. Decide whether you are going to hire employees or whether you are going to be the only groomer. If you are going to be grooming several animals daily you may need to hire employees. You may also wish to hire an accountant to work with your finances. Use all this information to determine whether you will need to take out a loan.
5 Purchase your grooming supplies. You will need everything from tubs to wash both large and small animals in to blow dryers and shears for trimming their coats. Make sure you have enough space.
6 Promote yourself. Put out fliers around town and at local pet stores. Place ads in local newspapers or on radio stations. Get acquainted with other pet enthusiasts and groomers to get your name out there.

There are many different kinds of pet businesses that you can start. Pet businesses are the fastest growing segment of home businesses in the United States. Fifty percent of all U.S. households own at least one pet; and Americans spend upwards of $34 billion on their pets each year. Despite a slowdown in the U.S. economy, money spent on pets is still increasing.

Instructions

1 Decide what type of pet business you would like to start. Many pet businesses are hands on; such as training, grooming, and pet care. Other pet businesses are not hands on, such as selling food, toys and other products for pets. Both types can be very profitable, and which one you decide to do is more a matter of personal preference.
2 Check out the competition in your area. Find out what services they offer, how long they have been in business, what rates they charge, and what certifications they hold, if any. Think about what you could do differently to make yourself competitive in the industry. For example, if you want to start a pet sitting business and there are already a lot of people doing it, maybe you want to specialize in puppy sitting.
3 Join national organizations for the type of business that you are starting. Again, using pet sitting as an example, take a membership in Pet Sitters International, an organization that promotes the professionalism of pet sitters. Membership is affordable and you can use their logo in your advertising (see Resources below).
4 Register your business with your local town hall. Ask at the town hall if there are any other local ordinances governing running your business in town.
5 Advertise your business to pick up clients. In addition to running ads in local newspapers, a good way to market your pet business is through local veterinary offices and other, non-competitive businesses that cater to pets. Visit area vets, pet stores, and dog parks to see if they have bulletin boards you can post flyers for your business on.

You know very well the importance of keeping your pet vaccinated. But you also know how expensive it is to take your pet for shots at the veterinarian. Often its upwards of $50 just to walk in the door, never mind the treatment your pet will receive. The answer is not to stop getting your pet vaccinated, but rather to find inexpensive pet vaccinations.

Instructions

1 Find your areas animal shelter. This is a prime place that very often offers walk-in clinics and special hours for vaccinations. Sure, you may have to arrive at some strange time and wait awhile for your turn in line, but the money you save will override anything else. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona in Tucson offers vaccinations twice a week for $10 each.
2 Call around to local pet shops, feed stores and other animal-loving places to find out if they know anyplace where pets can get vaccinated for cheap. Some pet shops may feature their own clinic and offer less expensive vaccinations than youd pay for at the vet.
3 Ask other pet owners. Of course, make sure the pet that persons pet isnt dying of rabies or has some other disease that could have been vaccinated against. If you see a person with a healthy, happy pet, simply ask where she takes her beloved animal for vaccinations. Pet owners love sharing tips that will help other animals.
4 Do it yourself. The cheapest method for vaccinations by far is administering them yourself. Supplies you need will again be found at many feed stores or online. If your local feed store does not have the supplies, ask them where they would recommend getting them. Dont randomly choose a source without knowing its reputation. Also make sure you know what youre doing. Administering too much, too little or the wrong vaccine in the wrong way can severely harm your pet.

Traveling to different countries can be a challenging undertaking. Every country has its own laws and requirements for entry, and there could be restrictions on items that you are carrying with you. If you are traveling with pets, this can be even more complicated. Whether you are visiting the United States or returning from a trip abroad and you have a pet with you, there are some things you'll need to do before departing for America.

Instructions

1 Take your pet to a vet at least a month before departure. Make sure your pet has no illnesses or maladies that could prevent its entry into the country. Have a current rabies certification for your dog or cat. If your pet is sick, your trip to the United States will have to be delayed until it is healthy.
2 Prepare a pet-friendly container in which your pet can travel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that all animals coming into the country be provided with a clean cage or container that is well-suited for the animal and provides enough space, ventilation and protection from weather conditions. Food, water and cleaning supplies must be provided.
3 Mark each container with a label stating your name and home address along with an invoice stating how many pets are in each container and of what species.
4 Check with your port of entry regarding its operating hours. Your pets will be inspected upon arrival so you want to make sure an inspector will be on site when you arrive to expedite your processing into the country.

A pet sitter's job is to care for clients' pets. The situation does not change in the event of a disaster. If the client's pet is with the pet sitter, it is the sitter's responsibility to ensure that the animal makes it safely through an earthquake, hurricane, fire or other disaster. Leaving pets behind is not an option. Even if you have attempted to construct a makeshift shelter for the animal, it will most likely become injured or lose its life. Organize and plan ahead for disaster situations.

Instructions

Be Prepared

1 Find an appropriate shelter for the pet in the event of an emergency. Know exactly where you will bring the pet long before a disaster strikes. Most emergency shelters do not accept pets, except for service animals, so these are usually not an option. However, many motels or hotels accept pets. Create a list of those that do.
2 Have a portable disaster kit for pets at hand at all times. Include a portable pet crate and attach a photograph of the animal with its name, sex and your phone number. Also, include bottled water, pet food, medications, up-to-date vaccination papers and other necessities like litter pans, leashes and collars.
3 Include a pet first aid kit with the disaster kit. Purchase these online or in pet stores. Pet first aid kits typically include a syringe, gauze, cold pack, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment and muzzles. Your veterinarian should explain the proper use for each item in the kit, the American Kennel Club says.
4 Pack flashlights, batteries, baby wipes, towels and garbage bags in your car. This provides proper cleanup material for vomit, feces and urine in case the pet has an accident.
5 Make sure the animal has up-to-date tags with its name and owner information attached. Encourage your clients to have their pets microchipped for identification. Learn about the American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery program (CAR), which provides around-the-clock emergency recovery service for microchipped pets.

First Aid Procedures

6 Place an injured animal that cannot walk on a hard, flat surface such as plywood or in a cardboard box. Or, with another person, hold a towel tightly on both ends and use it as a makeshift stretcher.
7 Hold the animal's mouth closed, cover the nose with your mouth and breath out to perform CPR on a pet that is not breathing. Make sure any obstructions like mucus are removed before performing CPR.
8 Apply pressure to a bleeding external wound with your hand or gauze until the bleeding stops. Do not attempt to clean the wound until the blood flow has halted completely.
9 Put the animal in a warm, quiet place if the animal is suffering from shock due to the effects of a disaster. Symptoms of shock are a quickened and thready heartbeat, dilated pupils, trouble walking due to muscle weakness and low body temperature.

You don't have to own dogs and cats to build a successful career in the pet product market, but it helps. Consider the crowded field of pesticide control products made to keep fleas and ticks at bay. You've probably seen TV ads for Frontline, a major player in the pet health industry. Visit the company's website to see the diversity of their products but don't be surprised when you read this notice: Only veterinarians and vet-affiliated companies can carry Frontline products. Join the family by taking all necessary steps.

Instructions

1 Prove to the folks at Frontline that you run an established business catering to pet parents with a sales track record, existing relationships with pet food, toy and health product companies and other animal-related products. Frontline products are carried by retail chains, small pet stores and on pet-product websites, so whether you sell directly or retail, you must prove to Merial, Frontine's parent company, that you're a legitimate enterprise.
2 Browse stores and websites of other distributors carrying Frontline products so you're familiar with its product mix and marketing tactics. No need to set up a spreadsheet to compare pricing because there's not much of a difference from store to store, though web-based business don't have retail markups to worry about. That said, identify something about each that's distinguished, free shipping, frequent buyer discount, etc., so you can complete.
3 Ask a veterinarian to be your pet health adviser in return for advertising their practice in your store or on your site. Since it's Merial's policy to sell Frontline products only to distributors proving a relationship with a veterinarian, you'll need this alliance to join the Merial family of distributors. Choose a vet in your area to help boost her business in return for the endorsement that qualifies you to distribute the brand.
4 Contact Merial using its toll-free contact number. Ask to be put in touch with someone on the company sales and marketing staff to discuss becoming a Frontline distributor. Merial may ask you to provide information about the viability of your business, so send it to your website or give the company information about your shop so it can see for itself that your business caters to pet parents and is positioned to add Frontline products to its mix.
5 Order product directly from Merial once you establish your distributorship to avoid scams that could compromise your relationship with the Frontline brand and harm the pets of your customers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, counterfeit pesticides, imported from abroad "and packaged in cartons designed to look like legitimately registered pesticides available ... under the trade name Frontline," manage to make their way into the pet-care market. You worked hard to establish your relationship. Keep it that way by protecting the brand and your own reputation by avoiding deals that are too good to be true.

Going nuts over your favorite pooch has been made a popular trend thanks to celebrities who will stop at nothing to have their dog look polished and in style. In this article, you will learn how to find luxury accessories for your pet by shopping online. Even though most pet accessories (as well as this article) are designed with a small dog in mind, by visiting these online stores, you will be able to find luxury accessories for any stylish pet. Read on to learn how to find luxury pet accessories.

Instructions

1 Buy a bed. Online stores such as Paw Printz Pet Boutique. specialize in "K-9 and Kitty Couture". This store is so dedicated to pampering your pooch, that you can choose to purchase an entire bedroom suite for your dog or simply a wrought iron canopy bed. This site also features other great accessories for your pet, they even have gift certificates for the "hard to shop for" pets and pet lovers on your list.
2 Buy clothes. When only the best will do for your "Cosmo Canine," visit The Haute Hound. The Haute Hound is a Florida-based store which features one-of-a-kind dog clothes and other fabulous accessories. The Haute Hound has a multitude of clothes to choose from so your dog will never have to commit the dreaded fashion "Faux-paw" of wearing the same outfit twice. Shop from a line of doggie swimwear, pajamas, active wear or one-of-a-kind designer party dresses.
3 Buy a carrier. No style conscious pet in their right mind would want to be seen in a "pet taxi". Although it is not possible to carry your pet around on a throne, the next best thing is a designer pet carrier. Visit the Modern Tails website to shop for couture carriers. Choose from the top of the line shoulder bags to whimsical pet totes.
4 Buy a collar. Visit the website Diva Dog to shop from a wide selection of collars and dress up jewelry. At Diva Dog, you will be able to find reasonably priced personalized collars as well as Swarovski crystal necklaces valued over $100. Diva Dog offers everything needed for that posh pooch, including a clothing line designed by Paris Hilton.
5 Buy fine dining accommodations. To complete the style of a pampered pooch, every dog of luxury should be able to eat out of designer bowls. On the Beyond the Crate site, you can find one-of-a-kind, hand painted doggie bowls. Each bowl is intricately designed and painted with whimsical dog designs. All are signed by the artist as well.

Pets are a wonderful addition to a child's growing-up experience. Aside from learning about unconditional love, they also learn responsibility and respect. The following are some ways to teach your child to be a responsible and loving pet guardian.

Instructions

1 Measure out the pet's food portion yourself and have your child place it in the bowl and feed it to the pet. If it's an older child you can teach her how to measure out the food or exactly what foods to feed without under or overfeeding.
2 Tell your child to check periodically and make sure there is enough water in your pet's bowl.
3 Have your child accompany you when walking the dog. If your child is old enough and your dog is easy enough to handle, show your child how to hold the leash and let him take a turn.
4 Show your child how to scoop out the litter box and dispose of the waste. Also show your child how to change out the litter box and add new litter when necessary.
5 Let your child assist you with bathing and grooming your pet. For instance, you could apply the shampoo and your child could scrub and help hold the pet. Your child can also help hold the pet during grooming and while you administer medication.
6 Teach your child how to play safely with your pet and to never be rough. Also show your child how to properly handle your pet, and if the child is old enough, how to properly pick the pet up if necessary.
7 Take your child shopping at the pet supply store and explain the differences between certain pet supplies and products. For instance, explain which toys are safe for dogs and why certain toys (such as rawhide) are not.

Becoming a dog food distributor is not a difficult proposition. Pet owners are always looking for new products and if you are able to provide them with quality dog food that they cannot get through other avenues, they will be willing to do business with you. Independent dog food distributors can be found throughout the country and their numbers are growing.

Instructions

Becoming a Dog Food Distributor

1 Determine your initial start-up cost. Dog food distributors need start-up capital, as most of the dog food suppliers will not deliver their product without having an initial payment. Depending upon the distributor used, costs can roughly range from a minimum order of $250 to a minimum order of $1,000.
2 With many of the more popular brands of dog food now being carried by such big-box stores as Wal-mart and Costco, it's usually not cost-effective to be their distributors, given the competition. You'll need to find some smaller, niche brands that you can leverage via innovative marketing. By researching them on line and through phone conversations, you'll be able to find which companies can provide you with the best product and savings.
3 Set up a storage area. Make sure that the area you've chosen is free from moisture and from various pests. Rats, mice and even crickets are attracted to dog foods and they will do everything possible in order to get to your food supply. Setting the food up on a raised pallet will help to cut down on any rodent problems.
4 Create an Internet presence. Even if you're going to be a local distributor and have people come to your residence or your business, you'll still need an Internet presence, as many people search for dog food distributors using the Internet. Make sure that the information you provide also comes with a map so that people can easily locate you.
5 Advertise locally. In addition to the Internet, you'll want a local presence. This will help to ensure that people going into feed stores, grooming shops and pet stores can see your business information. Arrange a deal with local businesses that will allow you to provide anyone with a "referral fee" who sends business in your direction.
6 Keep accurate records. You'll need to keep track of your income flow and your inventory costs and any additional fees that you incur.