How to start a Full Service Doggie Daycare Business

According to pet ownership statistics, 48% of Australian households and 44.5% of U.S. households have at least one pet dog. And this percentage is increasing every year.

According to some other surveys, the estimated net worth of the Australian pet industry was $33 billion and the U.S. pet industry is around $222 billion.

The pet industry consists of various businesses and components including pet food supplies, grooming tools, pet healthcare products, necessary equipment and supplies, and pet daycare centers. These facilities, also referred to as pet sitting facilities or pet boarding centers are similar to daycare centers for children but with different facilities and approaches. They provide a service where pet owners can leave their pets for a designated period, such as during vacations or work-related absences.

Pet daycare centers typically offer a variety of services to cater to the needs of pets. These services often include grooming spa treatments, playcare sessions, washing services for dogs and cats, single or group pet walks, and other related services.

In most U.S. cities, you can start a full-fledged doggy daycare center and it could become a high-revenue-generating business over time. Without any doubt, the pet industry is one of the most emerging industries in the U.S.

If you have plans to establish a dog daycare service in the U.S. and looking for a starter guide, keep reading this article.

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How to start a doggie daycare or pet care business?

Before starting any business, it is crucial to conduct some initial research. This research includes identifying your target area, assessing the potential demand for your services or products, and estimating the initial costs involved. For instance, if you plan to establish a pet care business in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, or Townsville, QLD, you should conduct a brief survey to determine the number of households that own pets in the area. One way to do this is by printing a simple form and distributing it to gather relevant information.

Registering your Business:

Registering your business with the local authorities is a crucial step to avoid penalties. It is advisable to seek assistance from a reliable business consultant/consultancy firm who can guide you through the registration process and handle the necessary legal paperwork.

Registering a business is not a task to be taken lightly, as each state and city may have its own unique set of rules and regulations. By enlisting the help of someone knowledgeable in these matters, you can ensure compliance with all the necessary requirements.

Essential Supplies

Once you have pinpointed and confirmed a suitable location for your business and obtained the necessary license from the authorities, you have to get high-quality pet supplies. Pet owners regard their pets as family members and prioritize their well-being. Therefore, it is important to acquire top-notch pet food, toys, beds, cleaning products (including tick, flea, and fly control items), grooming tools, and a few first aid kits to meet their needs.

In addition to the mentioned items, it is also important to consider arranging other supplies such as poop bags, leashes, muzzles, distraction devices, and installing a comprehensive CCTV surveillance system. These additional items are essential for maintaining a clean and safe environment for pets.

Want to add more value to your daycare center? Add a swimming pool or multiple small swimming pools to get more guests during the hot summer days.

Team of Professionals

As a full-service daycare facility, it is necessary to hire skilled professionals who have experience in handling animals. It is highly recommended to prioritize individuals who possess certification or proof and hands-on experience of their expertise. It is essential to avoid any undesirable situations that may arise when entrusting the care of other people’s pets to an inexperienced team member.

For a professional approach to running your business, it is advisable to acquire kennel management software, financial software, a digital camera, and other IT-oriented tools. To effectively utilize these tools and software, you may need to add a few more team members unless you possess technical expertise and can learn to operate them yourself. These technological resources will greatly assist in streamlining your operations and enhancing efficiency.

When considering the required experts, initially you will need a professional groomer, a caretaker for dogs, a skilled dog trainer, an IT professional to handle technology-related tasks, a receptionist, and an accountant. However, if you already have expertise in one of these areas, you can take responsibility for that department to reduce initial costs.

As your clientele grows, you can gradually expand the team by hiring additional professionals. This approach allows for flexible scaling of your business according to demand and resource availability.

How to reach your potential customers?

There are various ways to reach out to your customers. You just need to use all the available means of advertising to grab the maximum clientele.

Keep reading to find out how can you attract your customers.

Traditional Ways:

• Take a trip to nearby dog parks and place signs to promote your business. Consider adding a QR code to these signs, which will enable interested pet owners to quickly contact you by scanning the code with their mobile devices. This convenient method ensures instant access to your information and facilitates easy communication with interested individuals.
• Make a visit to your local pet supply stores, pet bakeries, and attend pet shows to effectively promote your business. Engaging with pet owners will help you reach a wider audience and spread awareness about the services you offer. By actively participating in the pet community, you increase your chances of connecting with potential customers and generating interest in your business.

Modern ways of advertising:

• Create a website – Get your website developed by a well-reputed web development company to showcase all the services your business offers. Having a dedicated online platform will allow you to provide comprehensive information about your services and create a professional online presence. Your customers can easily access details about your offerings, helping them make informed decisions and potentially leading to increased business opportunities for you.
• Get listed on Google Business Profile – Ensure that your business is listed on Google Business Profile. This free service by Google allows you to create a prominent presence on Google’s search engine and maps. By registering your business, you increase your visibility to potential customers who are actively searching for services in your area.
• Paid Ad Campaigns – Run paid Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok Ad campaigns within your target area.

Consider hiring an expert digital marketer who can manage your social media campaigns and optimize your website for improved rankings on Google. Having a skilled professional in this role will not only help you promote your business effectively on social media platforms but also enhance your visibility in search engine results.

If you are fortunate enough to achieve the top position in Google search results for your area, you will likely have a significant influx of customers, leaving you with little time to spare. Therefore, having a digital marketer can relieve the burden of managing these tasks and allow you to focus on other important aspects of your business.

Conclusion:

Establishing a dog daycare facility with additional value-added services can be a profit-making business. However, it requires thorough preparation, a practical business plan, investment in high-quality supplies, and the involvement of top-notch professionals.

By implementing a well-defined promotion strategy, you can successfully attract a fair number of pet owners in your target area. Conducting proper research, careful planning, and delivering exceptional services will contribute to the long-term success of your venture.

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