A major change seen over the years at most local pet shops is that they no longer sell dogs and cats. (People are purchasing pets through reputable breeders and at local animal shelters.) Most carry an assortment of tropical fish, guinea pigs, mice, rats, ferrets, snakes, and lizards. Pet shop owners also stock a large selection of pet food, pet toys, and care products — everything from bubble bath solutions and clothing for dogs to scratching posts for cats. Some pet shop owners allow local shelters to come in with shelter puppies and kittens. The money for those pets goes directly to the shelter.

Owning a pet shop is similar to running any retail operation. It is important to know what you are selling, and in this business it is essential to have a business degree in retail or lots of hands-on experience working and managing a store. Taking business courses is extremely wise. You will learn how to write a business plan, how to obtain capital to set up shop, how to hire and manage employees, and how to market your business. It is also a good idea to take a basic psychology course because you will be interacting with the public. Getting experience is also a must. Take a part-time or full-time job at a local pet shop to see if this is the career for you.

Hours can be long, and depending on the size of your retail shop, you will probably work weekends. Salaries are like most retail operations. If you are in a good location and stock products people need, you can be quite successful.