Is an exotics "petting" zoo viable?

[dsirkle]

Maybe a pet store doing demonstrations and parties as a side line would be more feasible. I wouldn't do petting because I would expect that insurance coverage for petting is high and also I would expect that sooner or later somebody would get bitten by something.

[MelissaFlipski]

Hmmm... interesting thoughts. I wonder about not being able to find something like this very easily. Am I on to a need that is unfulfilled or is it due to liability?

I have a lot of research to do! But it's fun research.

Thanks, again.

[anendeloflorien]

That sounds like an awesome idea! IDK what the actual market would be like for a "exotic petting zoo" but I'm sure if you marketed yourself correctly and were able to create a safe environment for bot the animals and the people (kids especially) you could have great success in it! I wish I had had someplace like that when I was a kid where you could really get up close and personal with animals that you just don't see every day!
just my .02

[Pieluvspooh]

The zoo near where I live has a kinda touchy feely hour 3 times a day where kids and adults can go along and Handle or 'pet' all kinds of exotics... obviously nothing overly large or dangerous! I went last year and held a BP for the first time and it totally made me and my boyfriend want to get one... which we did about a month ago! I was excellent to have a chance to experience exotic animals in a safe environment, I also held a cockroach which I NEVER thought I'd do! Really great especially for kids!

Good luck if you go for it!!

[Jenn]

My greatest fear aside from liability would be the random kid who has a sick snake at home and didn't wash his hands before wipping out your entire collection. I don't let ANYONE touch my snakes.

[dsirkle]

With your name you may be predestined to start a business buying reptiles at wholesale prices and reselling at retail. There couldn't be a better name than "Flipski's Reptiles".

[NightLad]

Its viable, yes, but it isn't cheap to establish or run.

There is a huge place called Reptilia about an hour or so from my house. Its massive... check out their website: http://www.reptilia.org/

Is this the type of thing you were thinking of?

[MelissaFlipski]

That sounds like an awesome idea! IDK what the actual market would be like for a "exotic petting zoo" but I'm sure if you marketed yourself correctly and were able to create a safe environment for bot the animals and the people (kids especially) you could have great success in it! I wish I had had someplace like that when I was a kid where you could really get up close and personal with animals that you just don't see every day!
just my .02

I thought of it, b/c it's what I wanted and what I wanted for my kids and me now. No one else is doing here, so I figure I will! I think it will start as a "traveling petting zoo." Store front to come later - I hope.

The zoo near where I live has a kinda touchy feely hour 3 times a day where kids and adults can go along and Handle or 'pet' all kinds of exotics... obviously nothing overly large or dangerous! I went last year and held a BP for the first time and it totally made me and my boyfriend want to get one... which we did about a month ago! I was excellent to have a chance to experience exotic animals in a safe environment, I also held a cockroach which I NEVER thought I'd do! Really great especially for kids!

Good luck if you go for it!!

Very cool. Mine would be touch all the time with scheduled tours (if a store front) otherwise, I would come with them to a party, library, school, etc.

My greatest fear aside from liability would be the random kid who has a sick snake at home and didn't wash his hands before wipping out your entire collection. I don't let ANYONE touch my snakes.

There would be a requirement for them to wash hands before passing further than the threshold. Good point.

With your name you may be predestined to start a business buying reptiles at wholesale prices and reselling at retail. There couldn't be a better name than "Flipski's Reptiles".

LOL I was thinking of being a transport for store fronts since I want to frequent shows anyway.

Its viable, yes, but it isn't cheap to establish or run.

There is a huge place called Reptilia about an hour or so from my house. Its massive... check out their website: http://www.reptilia.org/

Is this the type of thing you were thinking of?

I will check it out and let you know.

Also, I know about the liability, etc. But I would be the main person and very careful with interaction - both ways. No snake stomping allowed!

[MelissaFlipski]

I think I will start with a traveling small exotic animals petting zoo for educational purposes at libraries, schools, and birthday parties. Here's a company only 1 hour away from me making nice money doing it.

http://www.animalambassadors.info/

[kc261]

Just out of curiosity, do you KNOW they are making money, or are you just assuming?

I browsed their website, which looks nice. The list of upcoming shows was nearly entirely at public libraries. I wouldn't be surprised if they were doing those as a tax write-off and attempt to get their name out there to drum up business.

There is another one a little closer to me than you, but might be worth looking at. They are more reptile oriented.
http://www.reptilesalive.com/