Kids & Pets?

Question

My Husband, David & I are in the process of trying to open up a pet store in Northren California ( Shasta County area). And we have a question for you. If a pet store offered free pet classes for kids 6-up. ( Parents must attend) would you do it? What kind of classes would you like to see offered? What kinds of animals would you like us to cover? Any other ideas?

Also another question. Sadly in the state of California. It is illegal to sell any pets or pet related products to a child under 18 years old without a parent in the store with them.( sending notes or calling doesn't count you must be with them even to look) I have worked in pet stores where parents have gotten mad because of this. What can we do to make it as pleasent as possable for both kids and adults to come into our store?
Any ideas would be great!
Thanks,
Jennifer

Just to let you know. We will not be selling Cats or dogs in our store. and it will be hard to teach classes on animals like ferrets, because they are illegal in CA

The law states that the parents must be with the child at all times while in the store. The reason for the supplies is that a lot of kids will get things like a toy mouse and scare their parents & the parents will sue the pet store.
So no. The parents must be there the whole time. from the time you and the child come in to the time you leave!

Answer 1

It is about time someone had the guts to do something that helps kids with responsability. As a pet owner and a parent it is imperative that if a child wants to have a pet that they need to know how to take care of it. Start with easy pets like fish for younger kids work up to rabbits and hampsters then to cats and dogs as they grow. I wish you the best of luck

Answer 2

I think the class thing sounds pretty cool. I would do all kinds of pets (with possible limited handling due to age), and make it as educational as possible. Things like teaching about 'good pets' (i.e. pets that are right for them). Many kids say 'I'm getting a macaw when I'm older"...but don't realize that a macaw could outlive them and can be very needy protective animals.

You could also teach them proper care of different kinds of pets, teach about different classes of pets (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects and spiders). If you have a trained dog it might be cool to let the kids see how to train an animal and have the animal do a few tricks with the dog, teaching of positive reinforcement.

In my Human/Animal Relationships class we did a neat little experiment with clicker training. We had 1 person be the trainer and 1 the trainee. We then sent the trainee out of the room where they couldn't hear and we collectively picked something we wanted the trainer to teach the trainee (clapping hands, jumping on 1 foot, touching nose, etc...). Then the trainee came back in and the only thing the trainer could do is click the clicker when the trainee did something close to what we were looking for, hopefully eventually discovering the thing we actually want them to do (trainee couldn't talk, only click). This shows how clicker training works and how difficult it can be for animals to know what we want of them.

I also like that law of needing an adult. I wouldn't want to sell a pet to a child without 100 percent adults consent (parent there) for the pets sake. If the kid is buying a pet and the parent doesnt know and wants the kid to get rid of the pet, the pet often ends up being set loose to who knows what and are usually exotic species to the area. Parents need to understand the reasoning for the law....it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 3

I think "obedience" classes for kids and their pets would be great. I would love my children to attend a course in how to interact with their pets (dog), feed and water them (and when is too many snacks no matter what Scooby Doo gets to have), walking them, etc. Also, there are definately things that kids aren't supposed to do with their pets (like giving dogs chocolate or other harmful table foods), and I think those would be great topics to cover.

As far as the types of pets, I think a great start would be dogs and cats. However, it would really depend on what was most popular in your area ... does everyone own a snake or lizards?

Can you ... have the parents come in first and okay the transaction and then allow them to let their child come in and pick something out? I mean, what are they trying to purchase ... goldfish or kitties? I can see the point of the law but I could also see why parents may be getting upset. I would absolutely have something posted in your store though, letting the families know that this is a state policy and not just a store policy.

Answer 4

I think the class is a wonderful idea. Quite a few kids think that having a pet is all fun and games. Teaching them about the responsibilities may help pets not be turned into the pound.

I think pets like dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, lizards... all are good ideas.

Maybe for the other problem, you can have an adoption certificate that the kids have to have their parent's or an adult with them sign as a witness. Let the kids put the new pet's name on it and maybe even buy some cute frames to give it to them as part of the adoption procedure.

Answer 5

I think a class on the responsiblities of owning a pet (most parents need this as well) would be a great idea, perhaps featuring one particular animal in each class. Too bad it isn't state required prior to purchasing or adopting an animal, would probably cut down on pet abandonment. People don't realize how much time and money can be involved in taking proper care of pets.

Answer 6

i think it is a great idea! i would attend. i think covering primarily domsetic animals such as dogs and cats or fish and birds things like that would be best because those are your typical pets. i would teach proper handling how to feed them etc. maybe if you have new families purchasing pets withsmall children they could bring thier own pet in so it is a bit more specific to that family. and it would be a great way to introduce a new animal into the home.

Answer 7

Dogs,cats,bunnies,hamsters.Let kids and parents both see the animals show them how to hold,care,and clean the animals.Basically animals you know kids would want to parents would allow.

Answer 8

Great Idea!!

Obedience Classes.
Feeding Instructions.
Bathing Classes (teach how and what products are good).
Grooming Classes - including how to cut their nails.
How to handle a minor injury - minor one!

Answer 9

i can understand why you cant sell pets to kids but why not the supplies? i cant think of a reason a kid shouldnt be allowed to buy a dog brush

Answer 10

i'm sorry but i wouldn't be interrested in the classes i am to busy to sit for a hour hearing about stuff i know