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Are You Cut Out to Run a Kennel or Pet Boarding Business?

November 12, 2021
By James Gussie

Kennel and pet boarding business owners often face the challenge of finding enough affordable office space to accommodate their growing needs. Many companies rely on properties that are too big for them, sometimes causing turnover issues because customers feel like they’re not getting what they deserve out of their experience. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: move into a smaller workspace!

The “how to start a dog boarding business from home” is the perfect article for those who are looking to start their own kennel or pet boarding business. It provides insight on how to get started, what equipment you will need, and more.

Your greatest business opportunity may be man’s best buddy. Opening or purchasing a kennel may be gratifying well beyond your prospective earnings, from tail wags to sloppy kisses and long days filled with animal adoration.

But before you allow your inner pet loving dictate your business-purchasing decision, be sure to examine everything that makes up the pet services and boarding sector, including possible expenses and difficulties, to see whether owning a kennel is the appropriate career option for you.

Table of Contents

The owner of the company

Before we get into the meat of the matter, take a moment to evaluate your own abilities.

Consider not just accommodating a wide range of breeds and personalities, but also the pressures, talents, and zeal that come with running a successful small company.

Consider volunteering at your local SPCA or another animal-focused group if you don’t have much experience dealing with animals.

To further prepare, consider enrolling in animal certificate programs to learn proper safety and care procedures as well as gain certifications that will help you win over prospective clients.

To guarantee you can outsource essential equipment, materials, and services, you should start establishing connections with local resources like as veterinarians for emergency services and wholesale pet supply merchants.

Use a Lean Business Plan as a starting point.

It’s a good idea to draw together a Lean Company Plan every time you’re thinking about establishing or buying a business to help you think through each element of your business before you commit your time and money.

Here’s a sample of a complete kennel business plan, which you should consider creating if you want to seek for a loan or outside funding. Using this free template, you can create your first plan in less than an hour and have a better idea of what it will take to get started. This startup checklist will also ensure that nothing slips between the cracks while you get your business up and running.

We’ll go through a couple topics that are especially essential to examine for potential kennel owners next.

Consider the demographics of your area: Market research

Do some market research before making a buy. Consider things like the typical family income, industry rivalry (other pet boarding services), future economic forecasts, median age, the amount of families in the region (since families usually have dogs), and so on.

If you’re purchasing an established company, go through the records carefully and talk to prior customers to figure out how you can enhance the facilities and, ultimately, the quality of your services to maximize your investment returns and satisfy your consumers.

If you’re beginning a new company, consider offering a restricted version of your service as an MVP, where you may provide limited pet boarding services without investing in the infrastructure that a full-fledged kennel would need.

Your services should be priced accordingly.

Determine how your price differs from that of your competitors, and modify accordingly depending on extra services and facilities that set your facility and team apart. For example, instead of boarding with premium amenities like grooming, additional play time, and training, provide a basic stay.

To encourage and reward your most loyal customers, consider offering referral or regular visitor discounts. Consider selling toys, snacks, and pet supplies to supplement your income, or providing monthly packages where clients who need regular care may pay a fixed fee (similar to a subscription) for visits lasting a month, six months, or a year.

Skills required for the job

While you don’t need to be a veterinarian to operate a successful kennel, you will need the abilities to deal with the wide range of breeds, clients, and staff that your new facility will bring. You’ll almost certainly need to employ a kennel manager, kennel attendants, a receptionist, and, depending on your company model, additional services like as a groomer or trainer.

Most facilities provide 24-hour animal monitoring, so be sure you can contract for long-term coverage. Employees that are consistent, industrious, fun-loving, and collaborative should be sought for. If you’re buying an existing company, make sure the present workers match your new company’s standards, and don’t be hesitant to reassemble a team that satisfies your quality, brand, and business needs.

Grow as a result of your marketing activities

Consider the expenses of advertising in local newspapers, social media, newspaper and magazine advertisements, digital marketing, and bulk mailers when acquiring customers.

You’ll need to be inventive as a company owner. Post fliers at local businesses, schools, and community centers, and think about establishing referral agreements with important actors in your community, such as your local chamber of commerce or animal adoption facility. To promote your company as more than simply a pet boarding facility for the neighborhood, host a launch event, continuing training, open play, or information sessions.

Additional expenses and startup costs

Throughout the life of your company, everything from building improvements to insurance, equipment, overhead, and marketing expenses should be considered initial and ongoing investments. Make careful to set aside money for emergencies, such as a broken pipe or a natural catastrophe, when you first start your company. Reinvest the bulk of your early earnings towards growing your company.

To constantly re-adjust your company plan for efficiency, review your expenses and cash flow, and maintain comprehensive records of business spending and time devoted to activities, such as meetings with bookkeepers and staff scheduling.

The following is a high-level summary of kennel startup expenses provided by Paws Daycare:

Paws Daycare provided this image.

When it comes to operating a kennel facility, there are many factors to consider. You’ll be well on your way to operating your area’s most successful pet boarding facility if you’re diligent and careful about running your company and maintain the same joy you experience when you return home to your pet every day.

Check out Joanna’s story about establishing Trots Dogs, a dog boarding and walking company, to learn more about what it takes to start a successful pet business.

“Starting a dog boarding business” is an article that discusses the pros and cons of starting a pet boarding business. The author offers advice to those who are considering starting such a business. Reference: starting a dog boarding business.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money can you make running a dog kennel?

A: This is difficult to estimate, but there are some things you can do to increase your odds of making a profit. For example, if you were looking for an easier way into the pet industry than working in retail or veterinary medicine then this might be something that interests you. Also, choosing breeds with specific traits could help make it more profitable by increasing demand and thus prices for these breeds. Finally, doing research on how much each dog costs when bought from breeders versus when bought at shelters would also help determine profitability so that buyers know theyre getting what they pay for

Do you need a license to start a dog boarding business?

A: It depends on what youre starting. If you are an innkeeper, then no; if you want to start a bakery, yes.

How do I start a boarding kennel?

A: You can start a boarding kennel by going to the local dog shelter and volunteering. With time, youll be able to find out if someone is interested in starting their own kennel and work with them on it! Attempting this without any experience could result in you getting hurt or scammed.