Dog Boarding Business – 5 Rules to be successful for dog lovers who want to run a business working with man’s best friend. How practical is it to begin and sustain such a business? Working with dogs (any animal) is a lot like working with children. While focusing on the rules for success in your dog boarding business, don’t overlook the importance of forming a legal entity like an LLC. For a smooth setup process, consider consulting with trusted llc service providers who can help guide you through all the legal formalities. You have to be hands on, present in the moment and be patient. Here are your 5 rules to start you off, if you can answer or have a solution to each of these, you are halfway there.
1.You are responsible for their wellbeing when they are in your care.
2. Do it because you love what you do, not because its profitable or has the best holiday schedule
3. Prepare and plan to care for abandoned animals (it will happen)
4. Plan and execute a professional boarding facility (just like home is not a long term solution to a efficiently run business)
5. Hands on is the only way to run a boarding facility
1.You are responsible for their wellbeing when they are in your care.
Pets and kids, they cannot care for themselves. Kids have the advantage of maturing into adults who are able to care for themselves. Animals never grow up, a human being is always the primary care giver for a domestic animal. It is an unwritten contract we signed a millennia ago when the first canids hung around the camp fire waiting for scraps. As a facility you are entirely responsible for their care.
2. Do it because you love what you do, not because its profitable or has the best holiday schedule
Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life! A lovely sentiment if only sentiment translated to the real world. Some of us want to travel the world for a living and other people are content to follow their dream even if it means the rewards are delayed. If you can afford to follow your passion you are a lucky individual, which also means you can pursue perfection (or as near as possible). This does not mean every effort is a charitable endeavour, we all have to pay the bills and feed our families. But we can run businesses which work for ourselves, the customer and furry friends.
3. Prepare and plan to care for abandoned animals (it will happen)
Once the abandonment occurs, there are two options- force an owner to take the animal back. This is not always going to happen. Send the dog to a kennel or shelter or abandon it yourself! Which you will not do if you have come to this point in our article. Financial planning and veterinary care is a huge consideration for you to pay attention to. Another consideration is the abandonment of a pregnant dog. This leaves you with not only a dog but pups as well. The vast majority of pet families are responsible loving people, but be prepared for the possibility.
4. Plan and execute a professional boarding facility (just like home is not a long term solution to a efficiently run business)
Just like home and cage less dog boarding may sound good in theory but in practice can quickly become a disaster. Unless you are an experienced dog handler and are familiar with the dog it can turn into a disaster. It is also important to remember that when you run this service from home you are limited by space. Dogs bark, especially when in unfamiliar territory. It may take a dog in your care days to settle in and neighbours may not appreciate a mutt howling all night.
5. Hands on is the only way to plan and run a boarding facility
Plan your business, what is the infrastructure you need to invest in? Create a list and no matter how small or insignificant an item or thought seems, write it down. It will save you a tremendous amount of time and money later on. Delegate once you establish yourself and have a trained staff. Though businesses like boarding centers almost always require personal supervision.
Pet Boarding Near Me
“Pet Boarding Near me” your customer googles their query. To establish a business location is key to a physical service. No matter how slick your social media is, pet families want a clean safe facility for their pets. If you are in a city distance, travel time and outdoor access may be challenges but can always be overcome with some planning. You may want to consider investing in or partnering with a local pet transporter to offer a wider range of services.
Pets are a huge part of our lives and families. From holidays to birthday parties there is hardly an event where our furry friends stay home. Except, when you go away on holiday or have to travel for work or even an emergency. Nuclear families mean many of us now live in smaller family units. Which means when you travel and your pet cannot go with you, it is essential for you to have a safe place for them to live. Of course it is always easy to find goods and services close to home. Especially with our busy schedules, but convenience should not compromise on safety. Kennels and home boarding are vastly different. For your business to grow and provide a professional service aim to set up a dedicated kennel.
How to choose a pet boarding facility is a matter of personal preference coupled with a secure hygienic place for your pet to live. Dogs usually take to boarding facilities better than cats. If you have a cat and access to a reliable person or friend who can live in your house and cat sit your cat will thank you. Cats are happier in their own environment and familiar surroundings.
We put together a business plan starter for you. 5 rules for your stepping stone to success. As pet families and pet business owners we hope to give you a foundation for you to build your business and provide the best service you can to the dog boarding community.
Cover Photo: Matthis from Pexels
