Connect with us

Do You Have a Minors Policy for Your Pet Business?

Readers share whether they do or not and why in 'The Case of the After-School Shenanigans' Real Deal.

mm

Published

on

Sarah surveyed her surroundings with pride and satisfaction. The pet store was Sarah’s happy place, her dream come true. Its new location in a strip mall was both beautifully decorated and busy, busy, busy. Brightly colored window displays attracted many new shoppers. Regular customers who had followed Sarah to the larger space were as excited as she was about its seemingly endless possibilities. With all the extra square footage, Sarah was able to offer much more, including additional freezers and even an adoption room filled with adorable cats and kittens available through a local rescue. She felt that things couldn’t get any better for her in this new space — until 3 p.m. arrived each weekday.

ABOUT REAL DEAL

Real Deal is a fictional scenario designed to read like real-life business events. The businesses and people mentioned in this story should not be confused with actual pet businesses and people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JODI ETIENNE is the founder and owner of Razzle Dazzle Doggie Bow-tique in Bradley, IL. After spending many years as an elementary school teacher, educating pet parents became Jodi’s new mission. Since 2005, Razzle Dazzle’s friendly, knowledgeable staff has helped guide community members in making healthy choices regarding pet health and nutrition. Jodi shares her life with her amazing husband, Steve (AKA the maintenance man), Shih Tzu rescues Poppy and Growlie, and Arabian horses Rez, Brach and Joey.

This time had become problematic. Across the street from the strip mall sat the town’s only middle school.

When the last school bell chimed, the preteen invasion began. Middle school students walking or biking home would cross the street, and many would stop by the strip mall. The majority of Sarah’s young visitors were well behaved and genuinely loved animals, just wanting to check out the kittens or pick up treats for their family pet. On one or two occasions, she had had to shoo kids out of the store, more so out of concern that they get home in a timely manner. Being a parent herself, Sarah felt the students should head home directly and not cause their parents unnecessary worry.

This afternoon’s visitors were ones Sarah had not seen before. Three tween boys parked their bicycles out front and entered the store. Loud and rowdy, they strolled in and headed to the dog toy section. Sarah was back in the freezer aisle discussing raw food options with a pet parent. Her manager was busy checking out a customer at the counter. Voices from the aisle caught both of their attention.

Suddenly a ball flew out of the aisle and past the counter. The boys erupted into peals of laughter as one ran to retrieve it. Sarah’s manager yelled at them from behind the counter to stop. One grabbed the ball and tossed it back to his friend as both the manager and Sarah headed toward the kids. The boys made a run for the door, tossing the ball into a gift display near the entrance and knocking a shelf of mugs to the floor, where they broke into pieces.

Advertisement

After they had gone, Sarah mulled over her options regarding the situation. Her store cameras had clearly captured the boys in action. She contacted the neighboring businesses: a laundromat, dentist office, restaurant and gym. They all had noticed kids in the parking lot after school most days, but none were having problems with them coming inside.

The Big Questions

  • Should Sarah establish a policy of “no minors allowed in her store” without parental supervision?
  • Should she try to identify the students? By posting photos and video online? Should she contact the school or police?
  • What other advice do you have for Sarah?

 

Diane B.
MORRIS, MN

Since my pet store opened, I have had a policy regarding minors. It is for my protection as well as theirs, and I do not discriminate. I ask the younger ones, “Where is your mommy or daddy?” If they say, “They aren’t here,” I tell them that they need to have a mommy or daddy come in with them, then I escort them out. If it’s a middle-aged teen, the same rule applies, and I add, “It’s for liability purposes.” The older teens I watch, as many of them are running errands for their parents or may have their own pets. I talk to them, keeping them occupied. I have had no issues with this, and no one has complained. It truly is for our benefit not to allow in unsupervised kids. I have a sun conure in the store who has been known to bite if people put their fingers in his cage, so that is posted as well to avoid those incidents.

Anna W.
ANKENY, IA

Since she does have the kids on camera, I would go to the school and talk to the principal to see if they could identify them. I would then talk to the parents. Her only other option would be to institute a “no minors unattended” policy, which would be really hard to enforce and would probably leave a bad taste for customers. I think the best option is to address the kids at fault.

Krista S.
ST PETERSBURG, FL

I have a nephew that unfortunately did something similar with his friends to a ski-ball machine at a bowling alley. Shattered the glass and caused a ruckus. The owner of the bowling alley contacted the school, and the school assisted the owner in finding the children and working with their parents and officers to discipline the kids — very fairly, in my opinion. He understood the cost of his actions after that and how that kind of behavior impacts other people. I’d contact the school and show them the video. I would not implement a “no-minors” policy. I would hope that the school would discipline the kids, contact the parents, police or all of the above. Together they can come up with a fair course of action as well as create awareness that this rowdy behavior is occurring.

Advertisement
Brett F.
OWEGO, NY

From the suburbs to the inner city, I’ve been in many stores that are within short walking distance from schools. Almost all of them, regardless of type, have a sign regarding students in the store. Most only allow two students in at a time. I’ve seen a few that require an adult/chaperone. I’d say that Sarah should at least consider the two-at-a-time option, and from there it’s tough to say what else she should do in terms of police involvement. She could turn over footage and photos from her security cameras to local police, and if the damage is significant enough to warrant pressing charges, then maybe she should try to do so. However, a small business in a small town relies on relationships with local clientele, so it could backfire. The kids aren’t regulars, so a follow-up from police could help more than hurt. I’d still start and enforce the limit ASAP.

Michel S.
FLEMINGTON, NJ

We’ve had similar problems with the pre-teen crowd at our store. I’m not afraid to tell the kids that they’re getting too loud or rude. I’ve had to use the mom voice a few times when they’ve gotten out of hand, and I’ve asked them to leave. After a few times of being told the rules about not taking anything off the shelves unless they plan on buying it and that it’s not a playground for them, they usually stop giving me any issues. If I were Sarah, I’d bring the photos of the boys to the school and ask the school to notify the parents of what happened. Ask them to contact me and be done with it.

Stephani R.
CHADDS FORD, PA

It might be necessary to establish a “no unaccompanied minors” rule if the kids are acting that badly. There’s not the same level of respect from kids today as there was before.

Kate T.
MONTPELIER, VT

Sarah should absolutely contact the police and provide the camera footage. Whether or not she pursues monetary reimbursement for the damages via charges against the students is up to her, but the police being involved will definitely make that more likely to happen and will bring the issue to the students’ families. I would 100% follow this same plan if it was to happen in my business. If Sarah is not interested in financial reimbursement for the damaged products, perhaps community service could be a good trade.

Lisa B.
BENTONVILLE, AR

We experience this sometimes in our stores, and I find redirecting gives the best results for us. I go up to them and say, “These products are for sale. You can play with them after you buy them. Come on up to the register, and I will take care of that for you.” They usually put the products down and if they don’t, I politely ask them to leave if they cannot calm down. I wouldn’t make and post a policy about minors in the store because these people could potentially be your customers or employees one day, and you don’t want to give the impression that your store is unwelcoming. I wouldn’t post a minor’s picture on social media, but I would go to the school and see if the principal could identify the students from the video footage and ask them to reach out to the parents about their child’s behavior and destruction of property before having to go to the police.

Advertisement
Diane W.
BINGHAMTON, NY

I would talk to the school and police. Find out who was involved if possible and if they are troublemakers in other ways. The parents may need to be informed that their kids are acting inconsiderately and will not be welcome without parental supervision. Signage should state that roughhousing in the store is not tolerated, and damages will be assessed and activity reported to authorities.

Barbara C.
THORNWOOD, NY

There was vandalism. Sarah should call the police and file a report. This is not a school issue so no need to contact the school. In our previous location, we had many kids come in after school on Friday afternoons. If it got out of hand, I would kick them out. We dreaded Friday afternoons, but banning children may offend parents and this seems to be an isolated incident. I would certainly not allow the vandals back in the store.

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. pet business serving the public, you’re invited to join the PETS+ Brain Squad. Take one five-minute quiz a month, and you’ll get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the pet industry. Sign up here.

Advertisement

FEATURED VIDEO

P.L.A.Y. Media Spotlight

At P.L.A.Y. — Pet Lifestyle & You — toy design is definitely a team effort! Watch PETS+ interviewer Chloe DiVita and P.L.A.Y.’s Director of Sales Lisa Hisamune as they talk about the toy design process, the fine-tuning that makes each toy so special and why every P.L.A.Y. collection is made with independent retailers top of mind.

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular