If you are looking for a new and exciting pet, you may be tempted to buy an exotic animal. Exotic animals are those that are not commonly kept as pets or are native to other countries. They can include mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, or even big cats.
However, buying an exotic pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Exotic pets often have special needs and challenges that require a lot of research, preparation, and commitment. They may also pose potential dangers to themselves, their owners, other pets, or the environment.
Therefore, it is essential to find a trustworthy exotic pet store that can provide you with quality animals, reliable information, and ongoing support. But how can you tell if an exotic pet store is trustworthy or not? In this article, we will give you some tips on how to identify a trustworthy exotic pet store.
If you are a first time exotic pet owner (to be) and you have decided on a reptile for your new pet, read our list of Top 10 Best Reptile Pets for Beginners.
- What are the benefits of buying from a trustworthy exotic pet store?
- What are the signs of a trustworthy exotic pet store?
- How to find and contact a trustworthy exotic pet store?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What are the benefits of buying from a trustworthy exotic pet store?
Buying from a trustworthy exotic pet store has many benefits for you and your future exotic pet. Some of these benefits are:
- You can avoid legal and ethical issues that may arise from buying from an unlicensed or unethical dealer. For example, you can avoid buying endangered or threatened animals that are illegally taken from the wild or smuggled across borders. You can also avoid buying invasive or harmful species that could damage the local ecosystem or pose a risk to public health or safety.
- You can ensure the quality and health of the animal you are buying. For example, you can avoid buying sick or injured animals that may require expensive veterinary care or die soon after purchase. You can also avoid buying aggressive or fearful animals that may be difficult to handle or train.
- You can get accurate and reliable information about the animal you are buying. For example, you can get information about the animal’s origin, history, personality, compatibility, diet, housing, health care, socialization, enrichment, training, handling, and legal regulations. You can also get advice on how to choose the best animal for your lifestyle and preferences.
- You can get ongoing support and customer service from the store. For example, you can get guarantees or warranties for the animal you are buying. You can also get access to aftercare services such as veterinary referrals, grooming services, boarding services, or emergency contacts. You can also get feedback or testimonials from other customers who have bought from the store.
What are the signs of a trustworthy exotic pet store?
A trustworthy exotic pet store is one that meets the following criteria:
- It has a valid license and permits to operate legally in your country. In the US, the USDA regulates the breeding, transportation, sale, exhibition, handling, care, treatment, housing, sanitation, feeding, watering, ventilation, shelter from extremes of weather or temperature conditions for certain animals. You can check the USDA website for a list of licensed dealers or ask the store for their license number. In the EU, there are different rules for travelling with pets and other animals in the EU or to the EU from abroad. You can check the Europa website for more information on these rules or ask the store for their certificates or documents. Other countries or regions will have their own policies and regulations, so make sure to check your local legislation.
- It follows animal welfare and conservation policies that protect the well-being of the animals it sells. It ensures that the animals are not endangered or threatened in their native habitats or taken from the wild illegally. It also avoids selling invasive or harmful species that could damage the local ecosystem or pose a risk to public health or safety. It also complies with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other relevant international agreements.
- It is transparent about its sources and breeding practices. It provides information on where it gets its animals from, how it breeds them, how it quarantines them, how it treats them for diseases or parasites, how it socializes them with humans or other animals. It also provides health certificates or veterinary records for its animals.
- It offers quality and variety of animals that suit your preferences and budget. It has healthy and well-tempered animals that are free from signs of illness or injury. It also has diverse and rare animals that are not easily found elsewhere. It also has reasonable availability and pricing of its animals.
- It has knowledgeable and experienced staff that can help you with your purchase and aftercare. It has staff that have expertise and education in the field of exotic animals. They can answer your questions and provide you with accurate and reliable information. They also have customer service and support that can assist you with any issues or concerns.
How to find and contact a trustworthy exotic pet store?
Once you have an idea of what to look for in a trustworthy exotic pet store, you can start your search online or locally. Here are some ways to find and contact a trustworthy exotic pet store.
Online research and comparison
One of the easiest ways to find a trustworthy exotic pet store is to do some online research and comparison. You can use search engines, social media platforms, online directories, forums, blogs, or websites to find potential stores near you or across the country. You can also use elite auctions or new arrivals sections to find rare or unique animals. You can also use care sheets or blogs to learn more about the animals they sell.
Some examples of online sources are:
When doing online research and comparison, you should look for the following information:
- The store’s license number and permits
- The store’s animal welfare and conservation policies
- The store’s sources and breeding practices
- The store’s animal availability and pricing
- The store’s animal health certificates or veterinary records
- The store’s staff expertise and education
- The store’s customer service and support
- The store’s reviews and testimonials
You should also compare different stores based on these criteria and choose the one that best meets your needs and expectations.
Local visits and inspections
Another way to find a trustworthy exotic pet store is to visit them in person and inspect their premises. You can use online sources to locate the nearest or most convenient stores for you. You can also use word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family, or other exotic pet owners. You can then visit the stores during their business hours and check out their facilities and animals.
Some things to look for when visiting an exotic pet store are:
- Location and accessibility: The store should be easy to find and reach by car or public transportation. It should also have ample parking space and a clear sign.
- Cleanliness and safety: The store should be clean and tidy, without any unpleasant odors or stains. It should also have adequate lighting, ventilation, temperature control, security systems, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency exits.
- Interaction and observation: The store should allow you to interact with the animals you are interested in buying or adopting. It should also let you observe the animals in their enclosures or habitats. It should also have knowledgeable and helpful staff on site to assist you.
When visiting an exotic pet store, you should ask the following questions:
- What is your license number and permits?
- What are your animal welfare and conservation policies?
- Where do you get your animals from and how do you breed them?
- How do you quarantine, treat, and socialize your animals?
- Can I see the health certificates or veterinary records of your animals?
- What are the availability and pricing of your animals?
- How do you ship your animals and what are the shipping costs?
- What are your payment options and return policies?
- How can I contact you for aftercare services or support?
You should also inspect the animals’ appearance and behavior and look for signs of health and temperament.
Phone calls and emails
A third way to find a trustworthy exotic pet store is to contact them by phone or email. You can use online sources to get their contact details or ask them directly when visiting them in person. You can then call or email them to ask questions, make inquiries, request information, or schedule appointments.
Some things to do when contacting an exotic pet store are:
- Questions and inquiries: You should prepare a list of questions or inquiries that you want to ask the store before contacting them. These may include their license number, their animal sources, their animal availability, their animal prices, their animal health certificates, their animal guarantees, their shipping methods, their payment options, or their return policies.
- Responses and feedback: You should expect timely, courteous, professional, and informative responses from the store when contacting them. They should be able to answer your questions or inquiries satisfactorily or refer you to someone who can. They should also be able to provide you with additional information or resources if needed.
- Appointments and reservations: You should be able to make appointments or reservations with the store when contacting them. These may include visiting the store, meeting the animals, picking up the animals, or receiving the animals. You should also confirm the date, time, location, and details of your appointments or reservations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buying an exotic pet can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also requires a lot of research, preparation, and commitment. One of the most important steps in buying an exotic pet is finding a trustworthy exotic pet store that can provide you with quality animals, reliable information, and ongoing support. You can find a trustworthy exotic pet store by looking for signs of legal and ethical standards, quality and variety of animals, and knowledge and experience of staff. You can also find a trustworthy exotic pet store by using online research and comparison, local visits and inspections, and phone calls and emails. By following these tips, you can find the best exotic pet store for you and your future exotic pet.
FAQs
Q: What are some examples of exotic pets?
A: Exotic pets are animals that are not commonly kept as pets or are native to other countries. They can range from small mammals like hedgehogs, sugar gliders, prairie dogs, squirrels, foxes, skunks, coatimundis, porcupines, and bush babies, to reptiles like snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, caimans, monitors, geckos, chameleons, iguanas, bearded dragons, tegus, and uromastyx. Some people may also consider birds, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, or even big cats as exotic pets.
Q: What are some challenges and risks of owning exotic pets?
A: Exotic pets often have special needs in terms of diet, housing, health care, socialization, enrichment, training, handling, and legal regulations. They may also pose potential dangers to themselves, their owners, other pets, or the environment. Therefore, it is essential to do thorough research before deciding to get an exotic pet.
Q: What are some benefits of owning an exotic pet?
A: Owning an exotic pet can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, as you can enjoy the beauty, diversity, intelligence, and personality of these animals. You can also learn more about their natural history, behavior, and ecology. You can also contribute to their conservation and welfare by supporting ethical and responsible breeders and dealers.
Q: What is a USDA license and why is it important for an exotic pet store?
A: A USDA license is a permit issued by the United States Department of Agriculture that regulates the breeding, transportation, sale, exhibition, handling, care, treatment, housing, sanitation, feeding, watering, ventilation, shelter from extremes of weather or temperature conditions for certain animals. It is important for an exotic pet store to have a USDA license because it ensures that they operate legally and follow the animal welfare standards of the industry.
Q: How can I check the health and temperament of an exotic pet before buying or adopting it?
A: You can check the health and temperament of an exotic pet by observing its appearance and behavior. You should look for clean ears, eyes, nose, mouth, fur, skin, scales, feathers, or shells, depending on the type of animal. You should also look for a normal body shape, weight, and size, without any lumps, bumps, or bald spots. You should also look for an alert, active, and curious attitude, without any signs of aggression, fear, or stress. You can also ask the store for health certificates or veterinary records for their animals.
Q: How can I find rare or unique animals from an exotic pet store?
A: You can find rare or unique animals from an exotic pet store by browsing their online or physical inventory. You should look for a wide range of species, breeds, colors, patterns, sizes, ages, and genders. You should also look for rare or exotic animals that are not commonly seen in other pet stores. You can also use elite auctions or new arrivals sections to find rare or unique animals.
