Is it necessary to announce that I have pets?

[DawnedOnMeDesigns]

Hi!

I've noticed several shops that state, either in their shop announcement or individual listings, that their home is "smoke free and pet friendly". Both of these are true for my home, but is it necessary to have this information? I don't want to deceive customers by not telling them but is it important that they know?

If you have this information included in your shop, where do you post it?

Thanks!

[DawnedOnMeDesigns]

I should also add that I make fabric items.

[Former_Member]

If you smoke, the smell can come with your item, and some people are very allergic to some pets. I don't incude that, but I'm thinking maybe I should...just quite a bit of editing.....

[TheDarkFen]

i put it in my profile. or did. i don't have a cat anymore (she died *sniffles*) but there is no reason to not disclose it. i don't think it will necessarily take away from your business. in fact i see "quit your day job" and "featured sellers" w/ pics of their pets in their interviews all the time. Make it sound nice and lovey dovey though like "I have a cat named Karl and he helps me cut out my circles" or something like that. Or "I have a ferret who goes by Gerry, he named himself that, even though I insisted on calling him Snuggles *sigh*. Nevertheless he tends to remain in his hidey-hole so no worries about getting fur on your well-tended fabric purchases."

or something like that. i just writing what pops into my head :P

[SelkiePubZines]

Lol about Gerry.

I put that my home is pet free, but I always worry that it will put off animal lovers. I really just happen to not have a pet, but I could have one some day

If your items are truly dander free, I don't think you need to mention it.

[Former_Member]

Anybody with pet allegeries out there? My dog sits under my work table. Now I'm wondering if that could upset someones allegeries? She doesn't come in contact with my materials, but I pet her.

[Former_Member]

I think it just lets people know you have a "clean" environment. People with allergies definitely want to know that, and other people want to know that their item isn't going to smell like smoke or have been sat on by a furry cat. I don't think putting this in your announcement or anywhere else will turn off smokers or pet lovers.

[Former_Member]

I am EXTREMELY allergic to cats. If I bought something made in a house with cats, I'd need to wash it right away. If I bought something I couldn't wash, I'd be sick for a while, even after I got it out of the house. Say I bought a dry clean only sweater and put it in my closet. I'd have to get rid of the sweater, and then deal with everything else in my closet. I'd be pretty upset if I bought something without knowing it was made in a house with cats. I'd have to send the item back, and the refund would be the least of my worries, since my cat allergies have led me to the ER.

Dogs are a different story - we have three! I'd hate to make anyone as sick as I can been by not letting them know this. Also, despite my best efforts, dog hair ends up on things. I think people would be less grossed out knowing the hair on one of my items was from a dog and not a fat, greasy, old guy.

Announcing your shop has cats or dogs in it isn't about pleasing animal lovers - it's about not making buyers ill!

[Former_Member]

As another person with severe cat allergies, I would definitely want to know if I was purchasing a fabric item created in a household with cats.

[Former_Member]

Even the packages sent from homes with smoking smell of cigarette smoke. i used to smoke and never imagined how strong the smell of cigarette smoke was until I stopped. Cigarette smoke really hangs in there and puts off non-smokers.

This information should be on every listing.

[DawnedOnMeDesigns]

Thanks, everyone! So, I definitely will mention this in my shop and be specific that I have dogs in case anyone is allergic.

Katie, cute examples..and sorry about your cat. :(

Sara, I keep everything in zip lock bags unless I'm working on it right now and keep a lint roller nearby. Lol...fat, greasy, old guy.

[Former_Member]

HI Dawne, before I got married and had a child, I never really cared if I bought items from a pet home or a smoker's home....
My hubby and daughter are allergic to EVERYTHING! So I really am careful now when buying fabric items that come from a smokers home/pet friendly home. I've had to take my daughter to the ER 2 times because of cat hair AND dog hair..so I DEFINITELY need/want to know.
I think you should announce it in your shop statement AND every listing (some customers may not read the shop info and only read the listing info before buying).

[Former_Member]

I have a cat, Mr. Honeybun, but I sell shells and crafts made from shells. He isn't anywhere near the things I sell. However, I also knit (as a hobby for right now) but if I were to sell those types of things, I would say it comes from a smoke-free home because the smell does linger and I'm not a smoker.

However, if someone is allergic to pet hair/dander, they could always ask if the seller has pets before they buy something.

I'm sure most crafters of fabric or knitted items make sure items are clean before shipping them.

I also don't take offense when someone says their items come from a pet-free home. They're just trying to let the buyers know that what they're selling is neat and clean.

I hope this helps.

Ellen

[AllieBlankets]

When I first started out I didn't like that I had to state it either, because I felt people wouldn't buy my items thinking they were covered in pet hair or something. Now I realize that isn't the case...people that are allergic need to know! I do make sure my customers know that I have pets, and that the items are clean and pet hair free. I have two corgis, and they shed like crazy, so I go the extra mile to ensure they isn't any of their hair on the items when they are shipped. One of them is a 12 week old puppy, and he loves to grab the yarn I'm working with...cute, yes, but not really good overall! >.< Oh well, its worth it to have them in my life. :)

[Former_Member]

Cat hairs linger, whether the cat is around or not and so many people are allergic to cats. I would include it.

[TheRogueBaby]

I've been thinking of adding it to all of my listings that have fabric type items that cannot be washed, or even those that can. I am allergic to cats, and I would probably ask the seller before buying an item, if it was something I was worried about cat hair or dander possibly being on.

[NakedRatDestash]

twice i've received crocheted items with 'smokey smell' and doused in cat hair.
i have 2 naked ratties but they are in their own room and no where near my work. i don't smoke, but if i did, i would go outside.
i haven't felt the need to advertise about pets and smoking. and reading my shop name you know i am a total animal lover!

[KriyaDesign]

Once I bought tees and came to me smelling cigarette smokes. I was quite upset because I can't stand the smell. I do understand addiction, I've been there... but I could feel headache coming when I smell..... I know... I know... the smell is out after laundry. Dorky me :-)

Needless to say, after that, I always make sure that part...smoke free... when I bought, clothes especially, online.

I don't mind fur or whatever hairs at all. Certain smells I couldn't stand. The list is quite long lol

[HoookedSoap]

What about gnomes? Do we have to announce the gnomes?

[Former_Member]

Dawne - I say that my items are made in my studio with the help of my cats. My items are made of fabric and are specifically for cats. I originally started mentioning that my cats are around in my listings because when cats smell other cats sometimes they can be finicky and maybe not want to play with the toy(?). This is extreme though, since my cats don't touch my products that I list, but their scent might somehow get on the fabric (I'm stretching). Guess I don't technically need to mention it, now that I think about it, but it's staying in there! =^-^=

I don't mention it for the purpose of alerting people with cat allergies, because people who are allergic to cats wouldn't be shopping in my shop - it's devoted to cat stuff!

Mentioning 'from a smoke-free home' is a good thing to do, I think! Gnomes would probably be a good thing to add, too...

[KriyaDesign]

@ Kelly, my husband often said, cat smells so good. I am quite puzzle, I don't think cat smells at all. Sometimes he said, I smell like a cat which is good. lol I am not sure what to make of that

Does cat smell?

[Former_Member]

Cat's don't smell. The litter box could, if it's not cleaned often enough, but that's it!

[Zarephath]

Yes, I think notices about pets and cigarette smoke should be on every listing.

[Former_Member]

Cats have a scent, just like dogs and horses have their own scent. It is mild though.

Anyway, I saw one seller who writes, "I don't smoke and my dog doesn't either" which I thought was clever way to state that the home is smoke free but has a dog.

[PICFiberArts]

I would definitly list it. So many people are allergic to smoke or animals. This way the buyer is well informed. You wouldn't want something returned to you if you had a pet and the customer was allergic.

In your case you could put it in your shop profile, don't need to put it in every listing I wouldn't think.