Alright, let’s talk about herp illness and your business’s bottom line. Because, truth be told, dealing with sick reptiles and amphibians isn’t just a headache – it hits your business’s profitability and reputation where it hurts.
But hey, if you’re a herp-focused business owner reading this, don’t sweat it too much. Today, we’re laying out the cold, hard facts about the cost of herp illness. Then, we’ll explain exactly what you can do to keep your operation healthy and thriving.
The True Cost of Herp Illness
Here’s why you need to get serious about preventing sickness in your reptiles and amphibians:
Lost Sales
The numbers don’t lie. And unfortunately, U.S. pet businesses are hemorrhaging over $140 million in revenue each year due to disease. (That figure doesn’t even factor in the added expenses of treatment, quarantine protocols, and those oh-so-necessary future pathogen tests. Ouch.)
Damaged Reputation
We all know how the grapevine works, especially when folks have a bad experience. If a customer walks out of your door with a sick herp, you can bet their disappointment and frustration will end up on online reviews, social media feeds, and in potential customer’s conversations. That kind of negative buzz can seriously tank your reputation, scare off potential buyers, and lead to a steady drip of lost sales.
Increased Operational Costs
There’s no sugarcoating it: handling sick animals is a drain on your resources. Think about the staff hours spent on observation, administering treatments (if you’re equipped and legally able to), fielding calls from worried customers, and the whole nine yards.
Plus, you’re likely looking at setting up separate quarantine enclosures – which is valuable real estate and staff attention that could be spent on making sales and managing healthy stock.
Potential for Legal and Regulatory Issues
Depending on where you’re operating, selling sick animals can land you in hot water with legal repercussions, fines, and increased scrutiny from animal welfare groups. (Definitely not the kind of attention you want!)
Showing you’re proactive about animal health – like getting on board with the Healthy Trade Institute’s certification program – can help you sidestep these risks and keep you on the right side of evolving regulations.
Loss of Customer Trust and Loyalty
Buying a sick pet is a major letdown for your customers, point blank. It instantly chips away at the trust they placed in your expertise and the care you provide. And this negative experience isn’t just a one-time loss – it’ll likely kill any chance of repeat business and damage those crucial long-term customer relationships.
If you want a loyal customer base, you need to be known for offering healthy, well-cared-for animals. Plain and simple.
How to Prevent Herp Illness
So, how do you keep your herps healthy and your business thriving? Simple: get certified by the Healthy Trade Institute. Our team will arm you with online resources, help you implement solid healthy trade practices, guide you step-by-step through the essential pathogen testing, and help you navigate a response if necessary.
Donate to the HTI Today
Want to do your part to support the Healthy Trade Institute’s mission of empowering businesses to champion healthy trade practices that enhance the well-being of pets and wildlife? Besides becoming a certified business partner (which we highly recommend!), you can also throw in a donation.
The HTI is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit – meaning your contributions are tax-deductible. Whether you’re an individual who cares or a business looking to make a difference, your support helps us create a healthier future for these amazing animals. Head over to healthytrade.org/donate to chip in today!