A couple of over 72-million most dogs in the U.S., in line with the American Veterinary Association, with over 49 percent of pet owners stating they consider them part of the family. In 2007, pet owners paid over $2.7 billion on services such as grooming, boarding, dog walking, and pet sitting. Entrepreneurs seeking to open a dog daycare business can reap the great things about the thriving pet industry.
1. Make an application for necessary permits. Many states and cities require professional dog walkers and dog boarders to acquire specific permits before opening a pet-care business. These permits may necessitate facilities to conform to health and safety standards, be at the mercy of periodic inspections, and hold specific liability insurance policies.
2. Determine what kind of dogs that you will provide services. Some dog daycare facilities only accept small or large dogs. Other facilities only accept neutered males and exclude certain breeds. Based on your facility, you might choose to target only certain types of dogs or allow any friendly dog to wait.
3. Take courses in dog training to be proficient in handling sets of dogs. To guarantee the daycare is safe because of its canine clients, obtain trained in dog handling, addressing aggressive canine behavior and identifying issues before they escape hand.
Healthy Hound Playground is Northern Virginia’s Premier Dog Day Care, Boarding Kennel & Grooming Salon & Spa dedicated to providing your four-legged family member with an exceptional, safe and fun home away from home with regular outdoor potty breaks.
Located directly on the border of Herndon VA and Sterling VA off of Route 28 and the Dulles Toll Road, Healthy Hound Playground is central to Reston Town Center, Ashburn and Dulles Airport. The facility is also a short 10-minute drive from the Chantilly – Centreville VA area.
With the area’s largest dog day care and boarding faclity spanning 18,000 square feet, your dog will be sure to have plenty of space to run and play safely with constant supervision. Regular outdoor potty breaks help reinforce at-home habits and our spacious kennels will afford evenings spent in total relaxation, while our overnight attendant will give parents peace of mind.
4. Design a daycare facility. Some dog daycares are positioned in rented warehouses or retail spaces. Others operate out of an basement, renovated garage or barn. When establishing your pet daycare, include at least one play area, a number of rest areas and a person greeting area. If you are accepting large and small breeds, consider several play areas that permit dogs to be sorted into groups. Also plan an outdoor run area that is straightforward to keep clean.
5.Set your entire day care prices. Do some general market trends to know what your opponents are charging because of their services and price your offerings competitively. To find out relative value, think about your differentiators like the size and design of your facility, your credentials and those of your employees as expert dogs handlers, and location. Offering an improved and even more reliable service lets you charge an increased price.
6. Offer optional services to your menu of offerings. Many dog daycare facilities offer pick up and delivery services, grooming, overnight boarding and training as additional optional services. These offerings can drive additional earnings and increase your bottom-line.
7. Develop policies and procedures. Make a customer agreement outlining the assistance you provide. Indicate how your enterprise handles missed appointments and cancellations, as well as late pick-ups. Developing formal policies prevents disagreements and unhappy customers.
8.Purchase liability insurance for your business. Liability insurance will respond in case a dog is injured while under your care, or injures someone else. Liability insurance is a essential part of any business plan, especially a puppy daycare business.
9.Market your offerings. Get the term out that you will be welcoming pets into your new business. Consider creating leaflets for distribution in veterinary hospitals and pet stores. Create corporate plans for companies such as lawyers, hospitals and stock brokerages–all businesses known for his or her long work-days. Visit dog parks and introduce owners to your brand-new company.
