Is an exotics "petting" zoo viable?

[MelissaFlipski]

My dream is to have either a pet store or an exotic animal petting zoo. Does the latter seem like a viable business plan? It would include a tour, education on animals and care, petting or holding, a gift shop, and party room rental for kids' birthdays, etc.

Thoughts?

If anyone has the same idea, I just ask that you not open it within 100 miles of Charles Town, WV () and that you keep me posted on your progress. If you already know of one, please give me details.

THANKS again for all your opinions!!!

[Mindibun]

Oh gosh, this reminded me of the article posted not too too long ago, about the child who stomped on an albino burmese's head and killed it at a petting zoo type of establishment.

I am never having kids.

Back to your post, my only advice is to stress the importance of insurance. Parents, kids, and reptiles don't always mix so well, mostly due to ignorance. I'd hate to see anything happen to any of your animals or customers. You have to be ready for that type of stuff.

Generally, though, I don't see why it wouldn't be feasible since many places are already making it work. Why don't you spend a day at one and make small talk with the employees? Ask them about procedures and things they like or dislike. Just pretend you're a novice customer asking out of curiosity.

I'm sorry I'm not very helpful as this is the first time I'd even thought about something like this. I think it's a wonderful idea if you can make it work. I would also think that variety will be a key to getting return customers.

[pythontricker]

Oh gosh, this reminded me of the article posted not too too long ago, about the child who stomped on an albino burmese's head and killed it at a petting zoo type of establishment.

I am never having kids.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! did he mean to or was it an accident?
Any way, I am doing something like that, but I am bringing my exotics to them. I have already made $50! Only two customers so far though. But still, $50! lol

[Royal_Rodents]

by exotic do you mean mammals spelling lol also?
cuase imo it would be a great idea if you could incorporate the two.

[Mindibun]

The kid meant to, yes. The article said the kid had anger issues or something, and that he didn't like snakes. It was posted on here somewhere. I bet you could find it with a little hunting.

[Debbienflorida]

If it is the same instance I remember the snake's name was Popcorn.http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...hlight=Popcorn

[MelissaFlipski]

ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! did he mean to or was it an accident?
Any way, I am doing something like that, but I am bringing my exotics to them. I have already made $50! Only two customers so far though. But still, $50! lol

Please tell me more! I will PM you.

by exotic do you mean mammals spelling lol also?
cuase imo it would be a great idea if you could incorporate the two.

By exotics, I mean not the usual domestic animals in the US - with only a few exceptions to that rule. Large birds, ferrets, chincillas, snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles, frogs, toads, giant millepedes, tarantulas, hissing cockroaches, etc. Maybe even a few things they can't touch/pet like honey bees, leaf cutter ants, and a few hots (barring insurance issues)? I would try to add to the collection all the time, but slowly (with QT room in back) and have things they can see nowhere else within about 75 miles. A museum, petting zoo, conservation station, animal care learning center, and circle of life education center all in one.

That is so terrible about the burmese. I would be SO careful and every activity would be supervised by myself or an employee. Kids would only be allowed to hold smaller species with intense supervision and ones I trust implicitly.

Mindibun, I hope that one bad seed doesn't drive you away from kids. But I understand if you don't want them anyway. I have two boys and they are the sweetest loving things, especially my 6 yr old, with all living things. Ryan even catches the rogue stink bugs in the house and calls them his "friends" and keeps them for a day or two. Personally, I just fling them outside.

I would offer passes - like $50 for an annual pass or something - and memberships $200 for an entire family including one or two free uses of the party room. Prices are just thrown out, but you get the idea.

This is just my way of justifying having 80 pets and making money somehow.

[kellysballs]

If you incorporate a local area exhibit into it you could probably get the local schools to do field trips. Like set up a mini ecosystem with local flora and fauna. That would get them there tie into the lesson plan of the school and then you could bring out the exotics at the end.

In high school we had an ecology club that did a little mini version of this and we took it to elementary schools all over central Florida. Of course we didn't make money doing it because the high school owned all the animals but it is the same type of idea.

Good Luck!

Keep us posted!

[MelissaFlipski]

If you incorporate a local area exhibit into it you could probably get the local schools to do field trips. Like set up a mini ecosystem with local flora and fauna. That would get them there tie into the lesson plan of the school and then you could bring out the exotics at the end.

Great idea! Thanks!

[Spaniard]

The only thing that would scare me about any business dealing with animals and people in a close setting is the liabilities associated with it. People are always looking for a quick buck and if someone was bit during their visit it could mean the end of your business.

Snakes are hard to gauge and you never know what they're thinking, its not out of this world to think that the tamest of snakes could have a bad day and bite someone.

Just my two cents and the first thing I always think of when I hear of people doing these petting zoo/ reptile parties. I think its a great way to educate people and expose parents and kids to things they normally wouldn't experience but the risk would be to big for me personally.