How do I make money with my pets?

Im a 16 year old guy ...I have a 4 ft long ball python ....iv bewn thinking about getting paid for letting people take pictures with it......a LOT of people come up to me during summer to take pictures but I never ask for money........I also have other snakes and lizards like a leopard gecko & a corn snake ....like any teen ager I want to make a lil money for my self and buy rats for the snake ....how do I stary this ????

Here are some pitcures http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/10/9egety3y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/10/ezupepas.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/10/syja6ate.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/10/ru3yrury.jpg

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Ask for a donation. The donation goes back into the care of the animals. That way it doesn't sound so abrasive as a mandatory fee. People might stop wanting to take pictures if you demand a fee. Especially if this is all casual encounters and in a non-professional setting.

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Good luck with that. I'm a professional belly dancer who performs with her snakes... Here's the thing...how exactly will that conversation go? "Can we take a pic with your snake?" "Sure...for $5." Don't expect people to take you up on that.

I never ask for cash when out with my girls. If someone asks for a pic with me and my snakes, I pose for one. Because I am a performer and that is part of being a performer (plus, I am being paid by the venue and usually people will willingly tip you if you pose for pics...but again, I also dance...you wouldn't necessarily be providing service beyond snake-pimping). I also take the opportunity to talk to people about snakes and dispel myths. Because you end up being an ambassador for snakes.

Also, I need to mention to need to be insured when you start charging for services. Because if your snake were to strike at someone, you are now liable. My insurance runs me about $300 a year.

Your best bet is to contact local photographers as a prop source. But be aware, that usually only works with magazine photographers and they usually already have a hook up.

Just enjoy your pets. :)


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Originally Posted by leylaraks

Your best bet is to contact local photographers as a prop source. But be aware, that usually only works with magazine photographers and they usually already have a hook up.

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Actually you'd be surprised how many don't. We've gotten quite a few requests for snakes (and guns) as props, mainly because of the pictures my husband has posted of our stuff.

The only reason the photographers are willing to deal with us is we run everything under our regular business, with insurance, signed releases, etc. They're nervous about using animals from a private person, and it'll be a no-go for the OP since he's 16 so legally he can't even be held to a contract.

Short answer for you is you can't. As has already been mentioned, people who just come up to you on the street aren't likely to pay. I have seen a booth set up for allowing people to get their picture taken with an animal, but that will require equipment and a venue. And insurance, of course. You can try the donation thing and see how it goes, but don't hold your breath.

How's that diadophis doin for ya?

No way you can make money my advice get a job at a pet shop or somewhere you will make more money then 5$ donation for snake pictures..

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Or you're sixteen so go get a real job. You'll have a lot more money then than chump change from pictures. I personally could not work for Petco or Petsmart ever because I have too many opinions on the animals they get and how they keep them (bone thin ball pythons with stuck shed, or the employee that likes to tell me what I can and can't have in my 75 gal when she knows nothing about fish). Anyways go get a weekend job or something, or take people up on yard work, pet sit, babysit, do odd jobs for people. When I was in highschool until I got a job, I took care of all the horses, goats, ducks, chickens and did house chores to earn 20 a week.

Not to mention that that leopard gecko is suffering from severe MBD in its front legs. They aren't supposed to bow like a bull dog.

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

They aren't supposed to bow like a bull dog.

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Quality Bulldogs aren't suppose to have bowed legs either...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/21/da7u5ehe.jpg

To prove my point, here is Precious. She is a rescue I've had for well over a year now. She wasn't taken care of previously (due to misinformation, not willful mistreatment).

She will never correct, despite the proper calcium regiment she is currently on.

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Did you have funds to pay for them when you got them? If not, that's not a smart plan. I am a teenager also and I do chores all month, constantly, to get paid by my parents. On top of that, I find others who need weeding, tutoring, babysitting, etc. to get the money for extras they need. I never see money when it's handed to me, I only see reptile food. I've spent literally less than $20 on myself in 3 years, but that's how I like it. I know how 7 lives I am supporting and money can get tight but I've always found ways to get what I need. In reality, they're not super expensive. Selling pictures with my babies has never crossed my mind. I simply enjoy them and help people get over their fears and squash myths about our "killer" pets. Have fun with them! And get that gecko calcium! I work with a rescue with a gecko that looks like that and have to suck fluids from his joints to help relieve pressure....

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Originally Posted by CrazySnakeLady0

Did you have funds to pay for them when you got them? If not, that's not a smart plan. I am a teenager also and I do chores all month, constantly, to get paid by my parents. On top of that, I find others who need weeding, tutoring, babysitting, etc. to get the money for extras they need. I never see money when it's handed to me, I only see reptile food. I've spent literally less than $20 on myself in 3 years, but that's how I like it. I know how 7 lives I am supporting and money can get tight but I've always found ways to get what I need. In reality, they're not super expensive. Selling pictures with my babies has never crossed my mind. I simply enjoy them and help people get over their fears and squash myths about our "killer" pets. Have fun with them! And get that gecko calcium! I work with a rescue with a gecko that looks like that and have to suck fluids from his joints to help relieve pressure....

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This is a respectable method.... does anyone else remember the days when you did chores and didnt get paid? Thats what a weekend / evening job is for. But at least this young lady is working for what she wants, learning to budget, and putting the animals as priority.

OP, your best bet as a 16 year old trying to make money is to get a job. Its not that painful an experience, you'll expand your horizons, and help motivate you to better things. Thats what minimum wage jobs are, a starting point. Who knows, you may also be able to afford another reptile or improve an enclosure.

Find something that interests you and get a job that fits that. Video games? GameStop. New Era hats? Go work at one of their stores. Etc. Etc. Lots of opportunity.

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Originally Posted by zee-man

does anyone else remember the days when you did chores and didnt get paid?

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I remember my first legit 5 day a week job at 8. Got paid in goods because I was too young for a paycheck. Every day after school. And it wasn't even a family or friends business haha.

Oh and still had chores I didn't get paid for. My parents said you have a job, you don't need an allowance haha.


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Please just look after your gecko properly. It's tail is way too thin, so increase the feeding. Normally a few pinkies will help fatten up a gecko. Also the calcium in the pinkies bones is very beneficial to geckos. You also need to make sure that your gecko has a hide box with moist moss in it. Buy the looks of things your gecko could do with lots of calcium and phosphorus on the feeder insects.


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Originally Posted by Kodieh

Not to mention that that leopard gecko is suffering from severe MBD in its front legs. They aren't supposed to bow like a bull dog.

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1st- to the op I would recommend getting a job at a pet store where every person you come across you know will like animals. You will also be able to get calcium at a discount so that you're gecko or you're next gecko wont suffer from MBD.

2nd- Bull dogs get bowed legs from lack of exercise due to lazy owners. Incorrect diets don't help either. Heres a pic of my Olde English Bulldogge shes about 4 now and was 2 in the picture and as you can see her legs are perfectly straight due to sufficient exercise and a good diet. So if you ever come across a bull doge with bowed legs please try to educate the owner a little.:please:
[IMG]http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9d1eb538.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry forgot to ad pics of my gecko i dont have him anymore I gave him to my niece for her b-day but this is a pic of him at about 2 years old. His legs are straight with a bend at the elbow not a bow. I rescued him from a pet shop that had him in a tank with way bigger ones that were trying too kill him it looked like and he was shedding at the time too. The pet store keeper said he would be fine that they were just playing. Well he found his way into my pocket and so I brought him home. I had to use a q-tip and mineral oil to get the stuck smooshed shed that was stuck to him from the force of the bigger ones biting on him. After i got the shed off his body all he had left was around his feet wich is how he got the name Sox.
here are before and after pictures of his shed surgery.
[IMG]http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8f2b8a5f.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/...psa7f2c18a.jpg[/IMG]
This is him as a adult.
[IMG]http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/...psd8ffc35f.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/...ps062b0ee1.jpg[/IMG]

I suggest to you get a job. I'm 16 too. I've been looking for a job for a month now. I suggest you get one too. You not gonna make much money from a 4ft snake.

For the guy talking about quality bulldogs heres a real old english literally known from east to west coast hes 10yrs in this pic http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/ave2e9ez.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sterling30

For the guy talking about quality bulldogs heres a real old english literally known from east to west coast hes 10yrs in this pic http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/ave2e9ez.jpg

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You said real. Are you implying that my dog isn't a real olde English?
The pic you posted you got off the internet that dogs legs aren't bowed they are straight that dog just has a really big chest.

Not saying yours isnt real but that is my bulldog Capone known through all the breeders but hes a cream of the crop old english my other old english looks like yours. Now and days people are passing anything as a old english but yeah you're right his pics are on internet also.

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Heres another pic I took right now of him, I call birds eye view to see his build, this one isnt on internet, other pic was a professional camera http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/e2ubuva9.jpg

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:OWoW that is one big ace bull dogge :O Great looking dog man what do you feed that thing, anacondas?

Hey I wasnt throwing a shot at your bully hes nice looking, capone is just way above average thats how hes so known lol. Hes 10 now and still about 110lbs his prime he was 125lbs his neck size/ collar is 28inches, now that hes a old man hes on blue buffalo for seniors :( but he always ate raw chicken n veggies and was healthier then ever and has that awesome physique. He started raw feed at 5yrs old and thats when he took a turn for the best, he went from a barrel body on dog food to bodybuilder body and energetic at 125lbs on raw feed.

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Originally Posted by Snatantula

Well he found his way into my pocket and so I brought him home.

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You saying you put a five finger discount on a gecko?

Hes a She & She is about 3 and was at the vet 2 months & weighed 68lbs. She eats Natural balance original mixed with a hand full of a mix of rice crispies, korn flakes and raisin bran and or some times wheaties.

It was either that or leave him their to die or give the store money for him so they can just use it to replace him with another one that will die. They also wanted $14.99 and every single reptile was having shedding problems or malnourished.

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Originally Posted by Snatantula

It was either that or leave him their to die or give the store money for him so they can just use it to replace him with another one that will die. They also wanted $14.99 and every single reptile was having shedding problems or malnourished.

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Just my opinion, but that's not a method I would recommend as a standard course of action.

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Originally Posted by Slim

Just my opinion, but that's not a method I would recommend as a standard course of action.

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I agree I would not recommend this method either. ( :colbert:Kids DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME:colbert: ) BUT IT WAS THE ACTION i CHOSE AT THAT TIME AND EVERY TIME I SEE MY NIECE RUN TO GRAB HIM TO SHOW ME HOW BIG HES GETTING I DONT REGRET IT. oops forgot caps was on not yelling at you.