breeding business questions.

[mschlottfeld]

My fiance is starting a company to sell some of the leos that we are breeding. We are going to be doing it more for the love of the hobby and the possibility of breaking even is second.

The local pet shops (yes more then 1 store told us this) told us that they will sell our leos through their stores but we need to be a licensed breeder for the shops to purchase from us. The owners told us it is some kind of Pennsylvania state regulation on pet shops.

A few questions that we have in this process are.

As a breeder which license(s) do we need?
We would like to take this business to a decent level where we not only deal with the local pet shops but also sell some of our different morphs over the internet and attend shows and sell at them too.

Do we need:
A dealers license only?
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/lib/agriculture/animalhealthfiles/licenses/reptilesdealerapp_2-1-07.pdf
or
A propagators license only?
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/lib/agriculture/animalhealthfiles/licenses/reptiles-amphibianspropagationapp_2-1-07.pdf

or
Both?
(Links are to applications.)




Also on setting up the business we have some questions.


On this page it says that we need to run a closed system for our geckos (Non-native species)
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=143433

So we go to this page on closed systems and find two sections that we have questions on.
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=143440
This section.

The closed system will be constructed and operated in a manner that prevents the escape or liberation of live animals. Typically, a closed system will be housed indoors in a structure enclosed by solid walls, floor and roof. For purposes of this paragraph, a wall, floor or roof will be considered ‘‘solid’’ if it is constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized human or animal intrusions into the closed system facility and to prevent release or escape of live reptiles or amphibians from the closed system. Other types of housing structures will be considered closed if they are appropriate for the species being held and prevent their escape or liberation onto the lands or into the waters of this Commonwealth.

Do rack systems using sterilite tubs with lids qualify?
What would really be needed?

And this section.

A registered operator of a closed system shall develop, maintain and make available for immediate inspection by the Commission and the Department upon request a written plan for containing or recovering escaped or liberated live reptiles and amphibians in the event of a closed system failure.

Can someone please help us with this?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Since most business licenses are issued by the city, your first step would be to contact your city's business license department and find out what is involved. Each city, county, and state have their own requirements. It looks like you have done your homework, but only those government agencies can tell you specifically what you need to know. I know that a breeder's permit around here only applies to what most consider 'domestic animals', and not necessarily reptiles.

 

[Baysidegeckos]

Im my state (florida) u need a fish and game license if you own 11 or more Exotic animals like reptiles, or if you breed and sell them. Fish and Game are always at the reptile shows asking people about there animals (mostly Snakes and imported snakes). But if you dont have a license you can either be fined or Jail i have heard.

 

[mschlottfeld]

I called fish and game and found out that we need to get a propagators license only.
We do not need this license right away, but we will need to get it before we make any sales.

As far as the closed system goes a rack system inside our house qualifies.
So those two questions are out of the way.

Now we need to find some places to purchase supplies at wholesale.
We tried my old wholesaler from when I was running my aquarium supply business (Royal pet) but they need a comitment of 10k per year.
Any suggestions for a wholesaler?