According to the American Pet Products Association, the category of “Dog daycare software” is one of the fastest-growing divisions of the pet market, with boarding services playing a significant role in this expansion. By following a few easy steps, you may establish your own lucrative dog boarding business.
What is the definition of dog boarding?
Dog boarding, often known as dog daycare, is a service that allows owners to leave off their dogs for a certain length of time in exchange for a charge. The staff at the boarding facility feeds, walks, and cares for the dogs, ensuring that they are healthy and happy.
Some dog boarding facilities also provide extra services such as pet daycare for owners who need their pets cared for while at work or otherwise occupied. To attract more clients searching for leisure activities for their pets, you may also build up a salon and a swimming pool at the boarding facility.
Overview of the Company
Pet boarding services provide careful care for pets while their owners are unable to do so. Pet owners board their pets when they are away from home, whether for work or vacation. In most situations, boarding facilities primarily care for cats and dogs, although some may also care for tiny animals. These services may include doggy daycare while the owner is at work and prolonged stays that can last weeks or months. Weekend and holiday boarding is frequently in great demand.
A pet boarding establishment should be intended to be a pet’s home away from home. Involves providing proper kennels for various sorts of pets and an outside place for dogs to exercise. Owners or employees of boarding facilities care for pets numerous times each day and must be skilled enough to handle pets of varying temperaments and training.
Locate a Facility
If an existing kennel (or comparable company) is not available for purchase, it may be required to construct a facility from the ground up. Location may be an essential element, such as proximity to an airport or a heavily populated location, which will bring in more revenue.
Kennels often have a mix of cages, runs, and vast play areas where the dogs may mingle and exercise. Splash pools and agility courses are becoming more popular amenities. Kennel facilities must be heated and air-conditioned to maintain a comfortable and must clean cages regularly. Some high-end boarding facilities have little “suites” with human beds, TVs, and live streaming webcams so owners can keep an eye on their pets while away.
Should Hire People
The majority of boarding kennels employ many people. Larger enterprises may employ a kennel manager, kennel attendants, a receptionist, and other service providers such as a groomer or trainer. Smaller kennels could have a few attendants. All personnel should have prior expertise dealing with animals, dispensing medicine, and general care in any event. Most kennels provide 24-hour animal monitoring. Must appropriately operate Thus, the facility to give this continuous coverage.
Specify Your Services
The majority of boarding kennels cater primarily to dogs and cats (with the cats being kept in a separate room away from the noise of the dog area). Some kennels also have areas set out for birds or small animals. The kennel may provide services, including washing, grooming, and obedience training. In the front office, some businesses offer pet supplies and food. The kennel may also provide doggy daycare services, in which owners may drop off their dogs in the morning and pick them up in the evening.
On weekdays, kennels typically open at 7 a.m. for drop-offs and close at 7 p.m. Weekend hours vary, and some kennels provide and drop-off services by appointment only or during limited hours. Some kennels even provide a shuttle to pick up and drop off a pet for an extra price.
Cost of Your Services
The most efficient strategy to establish a price structure is to contact your competitors and inquire about the rates they are already asking for similar kennel services. The cost varies greatly depending on where it is situated in the nation, the type of boarding enclosure ordered, and the same services included in the package. When asked, premium services (such as training and professional grooming) are usually offered at an extra fee.
You might also explore offering discounts for numerous animals, lower fees for “frequent fliers” who visit every month, and referral bonus schemes (giving established customers a free day of boarding or other incentives when referring a new client).
Marketing
A boarding kennel’s marketing alternatives include websites, social media accounts, phone book adverts, newspaper or magazine ads, bulk mailings, car decals, local media coverage, and more. It’s usually a good idea to leave fliers and business cards in veterinary clinics, pet supply stores, dog parks, office buildings, supermarkets, and other places where pet owners congregate.