Monday, July 14, 2008

On Joining an Exotic Pet Auction

Do you intend to go to an auction to buy an exotic pet? That could be a wise move, because for sure, you are going to see lots of wonderful species there. If you have gone to one before, the proceedings should be familiar to you.

But if it is going to be your first time, listed here are the things that you should know about an exotic animal or exotic bird auction.

  1. Most auctions are a one-day event. Some could extend the event to two or three days. There is also a specified date as to when and where they are accepting consignments. Joining an auction isn't limited to being a buyer of exotic animals. You can also join as a seller of such.
  2. Some animals aren't accepted in auctions. This includes state regulated animals such as deer and elks, as well as all other types of poisonous animals and certain skunks. So if you are a buyer looking for a rather venomous animal or an animal not allowed in your state, don't go to an exotic animal auction anymore, because you are not going to find what you are looking for there.
  3. Cameras and videos aren't allowed in an auction place. For security purposes and other related reasons, the auction sponsor reserves the right not to allow any form of camera and other image-taking equipments. So when you attend an auction, leave these things at home, because you can't use that inside anyway.
  4. Auction sponsors get a sale for every item sold. If you intend to join the auction as a seller, you have to be informed that your sale is subject to commission of 5% to 20%, depending upon the price of the animal you are selling. So you can adjust your prices accordingly.
  5. Auction sponsors could request for a registration fee for sellers. To ensure that the animal will arrive on the date of the auction, sponsors will ask for a registration fee, either refundable or non-refundable according to the agreement. Ask exactly how much they are going to charge per pet.
  6. Admission fees can be collected from buyers. If you are coming as a buyer, a minimal amount could be asked of you as entrance fee. Usually for a 2-day event, the price is within the rage of $8 to $15. A single day event will usually be less than $10.

Is there an exotic pet auction coming up near you? If there is one, and you do want to get an exotic pet, join it. Your next best friend could be there!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

How To Look Exotic Pet Stores

Having a pet in the house can provide enjoyment to everyone in the family. However, pets can also keep everyone on their toes especially when they are very active and require extra care. Owners of exotic pets may find that they have to work double time in caring for their pets as compared to those who have ordinary pets like dogs or cats.

While most people would prefer to own dogs, cats or birds that are commonly found in every household, there are those who enjoy the challenge of caring for an exotic pet. Some people are interested in exotic pets because of their uniqueness and maybe because they have gotten tired of their ordinary pets.

A person who wants to have an exotic pet can purchase it in an exotic pet shop, adopt one or wish for a lucky star and wait for someone to gift him with an exotic pet. Exotic pets are rare and most are found only in the wild. Knowing this, how can prospective exotic pet owners get their exotic pets?

The popularity of exotic pets has encouraged pet shop owners to come up with their own collection of exotic pets. There are even several pet shops that sell exotic pets online.

Before deciding on purchasing or adopting an exotic pet, it is wise to evaluate the motivation behind such decision. Exotic pets aren't easy to care for like the ordinary pets and the future owner should be more attentive and more committed in taking care of his exotic pet.

Scout around for pet shops selling exotic pets in your area and make sure the exotic pet you want to own and purchase is legal in your jurisdiction. The law prohibits the selling of certain exotic pets and being in possession of one can get you in trouble later on.

This is one of the most common questions I get. Unfortunately it is one of the most difficult for me to answer. So much of this question depends on which sort of pet is involved, where a person lives, and what resources are available in the area.

Make sure to visit pet shops that are reputable and have valid licenses when scouting for your exotic pet. Also do some research on the exotic pet and ask the right questions from the seller like how old the animal is, how safe to keep the exotic pet, its habitat, eating habits and the potential dangers it may pose to your household or the neighborhood.

Before buying the exotic pet, check out the condition of their homes in the pet shop. There are pet shops that take safety and the health of exotic pets in general and this may have a negative result on the exotic pet you are planning to buy. Also ask the pet store if there are vaccines available for the type of exotic pet you want and if such pet has already been given such vaccines if they are applicable.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Food for Exotic Pets

Some people consider having an exotic pet as a companion in the home. This can be a bird, a snake, a spider or even a scorpion. Though some of these are venomous, proper care must be enforced to make sure such incidents don't happen.

Aside from making the home similar to the habitat of the pet, the most important thing is giving the right diet. If the animal is a frog, insects such as mosquitoes or flies, which are difficult to breed at home, can be purchased from the store.

Those who decide to have a snake at home will make the creature happy by feeding it a live mouse. If watching how the rodent dies sickens the individual, it can be killed and frozen then just warmed in hot water before giving it to the pet.

The reason the mouse should be placed in warm water first is because snakes won't eat anything cold. This is considered to be a waste of money since the creature will just spit it out after.

If the owner finds buying insects or mice expensive, it will be a good idea to raise them at home. This is very challenging but with proper care, this will surely save money in the long term.

The only risk this poses is the possibility that these might escape and do damage to the home. Some people who wanted to raise crickets gave up after realizing how inconvenient it was because of the noise.

The best advice is to perhaps only buy a sufficient number so that there wouldn’t be any problems caused by raising the exotic animal in the comforts of home. The animal lover can compare the price of the pet store and those offered online before making an order. The customer should keep in mind that some retailers give discounts for bulk orders.
Some exotic animals are herbivores. Instead of buying this from the supermarket or the pet store, the person can try planting these in the backyard. There might be too much for the pet to consume so some can also be used when preparing dishes at home.

There are many things needed to make sure the pet is well treated at home. Aside from taking this to the vet or providing adequate shelter, the best is still maintaining a proper diet to make sure it is always healthy and strong