Start Up Company Sees Growth Despite Economy

Company Credits Focus on Charity, Safe Products and Compassionate Shopping


Germantown, NY- Pet Commerce Direct a New York LLC launches the Animal Shelter Store. The pilot ecommerce website is located at www.animalshelterstore.com and focuses on fundraising for animal charities and safe pet product shopping.

The woman owned, home based business is seeing increasing sales despite nationwide economic uncertainty. The reason for growth seems to be directly related to the store’s charitable associations and selection of safe, recall free pet foods, treats and other supplies. The Animal Shelter Store encourages shopping for those who want to buy the safest pet foods while supporting their favorite animal welfare organizations.

Store sales are consistently divided by approximately 40% pet food and natural treat sales, 40% pet lover gift sales including Cesar Millan merchandise, and 20% generic pet supply sales. The average order is approximately $46, double what was anticipated in early projections. October sales were up 400% in comparison to the June.

As of October 15th the site featured more than 1600 pet products, 150 animal shelters and rescues and had more than 2,000 customers. The store’s owner believes several key factors have contributed to the store’s acceptance by animal shelters and rescues and concerned pet lovers.

Visible Donation Amounts- When customers go shopping and place products in their shopping cart, the shopping cart software automatically shows how much money is being donated from that item to their favorite animal shelter or rescue.

Highest Payouts- Pet Commerce Direct consistently pays no less than 15-25% of product profits [difference between the sale price and wholesale] for each item in the store. On a per sale basis, this is the highest payout for any online animal welfare fundraising program. “Our priorities are in line and t the shelters get paid first because they deserve every penny of it” says owner and co founder Bobbi Jo Forte.

Monthly Checks- Shelters and rescues don’t wait until they earn a specific amount to receive payment. Between the 15th and 20th of each month checks are mailed for the previous month’s donations whether the amount is for $50.00 or $.50. Forte believes “paying each month encourages shelters to more actively participate and promote the program by rewarding them for even the smallest of donations”.

Multiple Ways to Give- Loyal supporters can either come to the store via a banner on their favorite shelter website, or they can select their favorite shelter from a drop down menu at checkout, doubling the chances that they will give credit to a participating organization.

A Focus on Product Safety- Product selection at the Animal Shelter Store is strict. Every food brand has been carefully selected because of their manufacturing safety record and lack of involvement in nationwide food recalls. Other manufacturers are chosen because of their commitment to the environment such as West Paw’s completely eco friendly pet product line. The store also sells Cesar Millan products, Holiday gift items, natural pet treats, condition specific remedies and pet apparel. More than 1600 pet products are now available in the store.

The parent company Pet Commerce Direct is currently in the contractual stages of building a custom store for Pets911.com and is hoping to provide services to other qualified pet portals. “The business model will remain the same” says Mrs. Forte, referring to the focus on donations and quality products. However new stores will be branded with the other company’s logo and color scheme. The company is offering store management services as well for high traffic pet websites who have interest in e-commerce and supporting the animal welfare industry but who don’t have the resources or staffing to run a store.

For more information about the program or about the future business endeavors of the company, please contact Bobbi Jo Forte.

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Contact Information

Bobbi Jo Forte

Co Founder

Pet Commerce Direct c/o Animal Shelter Store

Contact via E-mail