First off, I'm currently studying and on my way to being a veterinarian, but I'm not so sure I should be one. I wouldn't mind being a vet and I'm good at memorizing the parts of the body, bones in the body, cell structure, muscle placement and stuff like that. Its not the blood that bothers me because I watch surgery on TV. There's only one thing that does bother me and its quite contradictory to my previous statements yet its very different. I can't stand to see injuries if caused by an accident such as a bone protrusion from jumping off a wall or other such action and injuries. A scrape, cut, or a fracture with no bone protrusion I can handle. I don't understand why. So with that information comes my first question: Do you understand why this is? Secondly, if being a veterinarian is not what I should do, since I want to stay in the realm of pets, I had an idea of owning a pet store. I thought I could sell pets and maybe have a small grooming center in the back. My second question: Is it difficult to keep a pet store open, and could I sell dogs that I breed from my own dogs at home?
2007-10-16 11:53:40 · 5 answers · asked by Kii 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I started out studying to be a vet, too, but I had a family instead ;) Like you I have no problem with cuts, scrapes, fractures, etc, so I do a lot of little vet work around the neighborhood and used to help on grandpa's ranch (ever preg-checked a cow?). So... to answer your question--I think you'd be fine as a vet. The sight of a protruding bone gives me the creeps, too, and I think it's probably sympathy pains. I can imagine how it must hurt and how I would feel, so I get the heebie-jeebies. I would guess all vets are a little sqeamish about something. Knowing that this little critter is depending on you will give you the determination to swallow your fear and get to work. If working with animals is something you enjoy--Keep at it !! Good vets are always in demand.
On your second question--I wouldn't suggest it. It is difficult to keep a pet store going, especially if you have any large competitors--Petco, Wal-mart, feed stores, etc. I've seen several mom-and-pop pet stores struggle and die horribly.
If you love animals--
1. check out your local humane society; they're usually in need of volunteers, esp. dog walkers
2. check out interning at a vet office
3. become a dog obedience instructor--99% of dogs/owners could use some beginning/intermediate/advanced or specialty training (flyball, agility, etc)
4. give talks on responsible pet ownership at schools, petting zoos, etc.
5. train guide/service dogs
6. look into visiting service animals (pet therapy) at hospitals, nursing homes, etc.
7. be a vet assistant or receptionist
8. etc, etc,etc! the world of animals is not restricted to selling them!!
2007-10-16 20:12:19 · answer #1 · answered by Sharlene K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You COULD start as a vet tech, they get to see all the stuff but don't initiate/diagnose, just do the treatments. That may help you decide if you want to go ahead and get the vet training. Having tech training is a plus for a person wanting to be a vet.
But as for a pet store, you're doing retail work of products 99% of the time, so that won't satisfy your animal urge. You may be better suited to do a doggie day care or run a kennel/pet motel.
Breeding and selling your own dogs--if they were show quality that's one thing. But otherwise you'd be adding to the overpopulation of pets. Doing show dogs isn't easy, it's expensive, and you have to buy from and breed to good stock, plus understand genetics.
There are a lot of different animal related jobs, everything from pooper scooper (which makes enough to live on, the downside is the outdoor time during winter & high summer), dog trainer, rescue/fostering for breeds, groomer, pet pharmacist, crematorium operator (ok, that one is probably out), zoo staff, stable worker, etc.
2007-10-16 12:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be that subconsciously your mind knows that seeing bone means a really bad injury. Think about it, with muscles and blood and skin, its not that unusual to see injuries like that so your mind can assume they are probably not that bad. But I know what you mean, bone protrusions always make me sick to my stomach. You may have to get more experience with those kinds of injuries before you decide if being a vet is what you want to spend your life doing.
As for the pet store, it is a bit hard to stay in business. If you were to have one, I do suggest doing grooming since it will supplement selling stuff as well as bring costomer loyalty. I know alot of pet store operate by selling small animals and sometimes dogs and cats and then make the majority of their money from cages and dog beds and crates, the big stuff.
If possible, its really much less time consuming to not have a lot of animals. If you want to sell dogs, as long as you know what you're doing it would probably be fine. Though do spend alot of time with them,don't just keep them in those tiny petsore cages. But just remember, there are alot of homeless pets out there in rescues. Not just cats and dogs, but birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, snakes, you get the idea. More pets is not really what is needed. You are also going to have to realize that many people who buy pets do so on impulse, and often don't care for them properly.
So here's my thought on this, I know you love animals, but that also means not causing them harm, and by promoting the mass breeding of unneeded small animals, some petstores do cause harm. But one reason people go to specific petstores is to see the animals, right?
So... What some animal loving petstores do is sponsor pets from rescues, keep them in the store and care for them and if someone is interested in adopting them, they can go through the rescue to get them. This makes sure they will get a good home. You won't make any money from the pets, but you can still make quite a bit from pet supplies. Also when word gets around that you are operating an animals friendly, rescue promoting petstore alot of customers will shop there just because of that.
Also having pet care classes is a great way to bring in customers as well as informing people the best way to take care of their new pets.
2007-10-16 12:21:10 · answer #3 · answered by jerrri 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-05 11:58:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait, wait... you don't want to be a vet, but you want to open a store where you breed your own animals, and purchase other dogs from puppy mills?
yeah. don't become a vet, you obviously have no compassion for animals.
2007-10-16 11:57:42 · answer #5 · answered by pixy_stix 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋