If you love dogs and kids, why not combine the two? Starting a doggy daycare business from home can be an easy way to make money working with animals while still being around your furry friend or family members’ dogs!
This step-by-step guide will show you everything you need to know to start your dog daycare business so that you can build your canine client network.
From choosing the right location and how to advertise your business to setting prices and organizing schedules, this complete guide will help you build your doggy daycare business from the ground up!
Table of Contents
What is a Doggy Day Care Business
A dog daycare business is a business that provides care and services to dogs. This can include boarding, grooming, training, and other services.
Doggies love being around other dogs and people, but they often need more attention than can be provided at home. A dog daycare business offers this type of care in an environment where you can take your dog for walks or playtime with other dogs.
There are many benefits to running a dog daycare business. You can make money from the comfort of your own home while helping other people’s pets stay happy and healthy.
What are the Certification and Licenses Needed, and How to Get them?
The certification and licenses needed are:
Kennel License
Each state will have different requirements for kennels, but in all cases, it is required that you be able to provide proof that you have a kennel license before you open your business. If you’re looking at opening a kennel, check out our article on what a kennel license is, how much it costs, and more here.
Daycare License (also known as Day Care Certificate)
Each state has rules about what type of license you need to run a daycare facility or boarding facility. In all cases, it is required that you be able to provide proof that you have a daycare license before you open your business.
If you’re looking at opening a daycare facility or boarding facility, check out our article on what a daycare license is, how much it costs, and more here.
How to Prepare the Business Plan and the Steps Involved?
The first step to starting a dog daycare business is to prepare a business plan.
Start by deciding what type of business you want to start. A dog daycare business can be a franchise, or you can run it as a sole proprietorship.
If you’re going to franchise your business, find out whether the franchisor requires you to purchase equipment or furnishings for the facility. Make sure the equipment and facilities meet your needs and are in good condition before committing.
If you decide to go with a sole proprietorship, begin by assessing your skills and experience. Look at all the required tasks involved in running such a business and make sure that they match up with what you know how to do well.
Then take some time to think about how much time and money will be needed for each task before deciding if this is something worth pursuing further.
Once you’ve decided on either franchise or sole ownership, it’s time to start planning your space and getting ready for opening day!
What Investment is Required, and What is the Cost?
To start a dog daycare business from home, you will need to make a few initial investments. The first investment is in the equipment and facilities that your business will be using. You must purchase a kennel, a fence, and dog toys.
You can also invest in training classes for your staff and volunteers. These classes will help them learn how to handle dogs and provide the best possible care for their client’s pets.
The second investment you should make is in advertising for your business. Many people do not know about pet services, so if you have an existing client base or have been recommended by someone who has used your services before, you must advertise your new business as well as maintain contact with current clients so they can recommend you to others when they need someone else’s services too!
You need to purchase a few items to set up your business:
- A cover for the tub (you can find these in pet stores or online)
- Cleaning supplies (towels, shampoo, and disinfectant)
- Small dog toys (to keep your dogs busy)
- Food bowls (they need something to eat every day)
The cost of setting up a dog daycare business from home can vary depending on how many dogs you want to take care of and how big your tub is.
For example, if you have room for three dogs in your tub, it can cost about $100 — plus the cost of the food. If you want to run four dogs in your tub, it could cost around $200 — plus the cost of food.
How to Get Funds in Case I Do not Have the Finances?
If you do not have the funds to start a dog daycare business, there are ways to get them.
One way is to have a friend or family member willing to help you with funding. They can provide you with a loan, be your silent partner, and invest in your business.
Another option is to use online loans. These websites allow people to lend money to entrepreneurs needing capital for their businesses across the country.
You can also apply for grants from local charities or foundations that support animal welfare projects. These grants often require you to submit information about your project and show proof of income, but they could be worth it if they help fund your venture.
What Services Can be Offered, and What is the Appx Cost for Them
Doggy Day Care is a great business idea for someone who wants to make money from home but doesn’t want to get their hands dirty.
Some of the services offered include:
Pet Health Services
The Pet Health Services category includes pet insurance, emergency care, and health services. The average cost of a pet health service is based on research from the Veterinary Economics Database. The data shows your pet care costs for essential vaccinations, spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, and other services like grooming.
The average annual cost for a cat or dog is $362.64, while the average monthly cost is $43.28.
Doggy Photography
Doggy photography is an essential part of dog daycare services. It is a great way to document the dogs’ behavior, personality, and health. This can be done with the help of a professional photographer, who will take pictures of your pets during different times of the day and night.
The average cost per month for a professional dog photographer is $250-$500 per day. The price depends on how many days you need them there and how much time they need to spend with each pet.
Dog Training
The average cost of a month of dog training typically ranges from $50-$150, depending on the level of services needed and location. Typical fees include:
Basic obedience classes – $50-$75 per class, which may include basic manners such as sit, down, stay, and come when called (set up by phone or email). These classes are usually held 1-2 times per week over 3-6 weeks.
The length of time depends on your goals and how much time you have available each week. Advanced obedience classes – $75-$150 per class may include advanced obedience such as recall/leave it, stay and down stays; housebreaking; crate training; leash walking skills; problem-solving skills, etc.
How to Promote and Advertise Your Business
Promote and advertise your business by creating a website. A website is an excellent tool for promoting your daycare. It allows you to create a more personal image for your business, which will help you get more clients. You can also use it to post pictures of your dogs, so people will know what they are getting into when they choose your business.
Choose a location that is easily accessible to most of your customers. If you have multiple locations, consider using different websites for each one. This makes it easy for potential customers to find their way around and make appointments online without having to call or email you whenever they want to see the dogs in person.
Set up an email newsletter so that people who visit your website will be notified when new events happen or if there are any changes in policy or prices at the daycare center (if applicable). People like to know when things are going on in their area, so this is an excellent way to stay informed about what’s happening in other pet owners’ lives.
Create a Facebook page for yourself and link it up with the rest of your social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, etc.). You can use this page as another way for people who aren’t familiar with how dog daycare works to learn.
Types of equipment and Supplies Needed
You should be able to start a doggy daycare business from home if you are willing to invest in the required equipment and supplies. Here is what you need to get started:
Daycare kennel
The daycare kennel should be built in an enclosed space, preferably indoors. It would also be wise if this space could be easily cleaned. If you don’t have a garage or room where you can build a dog daycare kennel, then consider renting one for your business. A Daycare kennel is designed for small dogs only and not for big dogs like Labradors or Rottweilers due to their size requirements.
Dog food
You will need to purchase high-quality dog food for your dogs, including the vitamins and minerals they need. It must also include protein which helps their growth process (so they can become healthy adults). Some dog foods contain chicken, while others contain fish oil or salmon oil as well.
Please note that raw meaty bones are not recommended as they can cause choking problems in dogs, so make sure that you always cook these bones before feeding them to your pet(s).
Cleaning supplies
You will need cleaning supplies such as disinfectants and detergents for cleaning the kennels and the dogs.
Risks Involved in Doggy Day Care Business and Solutions
Doggy Day Care Business from Home has some risks you must consider before starting your own business. These risks include:
Risk of Injury Due to Dogs’ Behavior
The risk of injury due to dogs’ behavior is the biggest concern for dog owners who want to start a Doggy Day Care Business from Home. Dogs are creatures of habit, so you must understand how they behave and what they like.
Risk of Theft
The risk of theft is high. If you want to start a dog daycare business from home, you will need to consider whether or not your building is secure. An excellent way to avoid theft is to keep your keys safe and ensure no windows are left open at night.
You should also consider how many dogs you can safely handle at once and how many people will visit your facility.
Risk of Fire or other Disasters
fire or other disasters are the most obvious risks of doing a dog daycare business from home. You can never be too sure when these will happen, and you need to be prepared with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.
Dog Bites
One risk is that your dogs may bite someone or fight with other dogs. If this happens, it is best to have insurance for your business if something goes wrong. You could also consider hiring a dog walker once a day to take care of the puppies while you’re at work.
Mismanagement of Funds
One risk is that your dogs may bite someone or fight with other dogs. If this happens, it is best to have insurance for your business if something goes wrong. You could also consider hiring a dog walker once a day to take care of the pooches while you’re at work.
Dogs are great companions, and they make loyal friends. But if you can’t always be there to give your dog all the attention he needs, daycare is a great option. It’s a way for you to keep your dog safe and happy while still being able to see them regularly.
Doggy Dog Daycare
You could run a dog daycare yourself or find a qualified professional who can handle it for you. Either way, here are some tips on how to get started:
Who can do this business?
Anyone with access to a home or small business can start their dog daycare. If you have no experience in this field, there are plenty of training programs available where you can learn the skills needed for running a successful operation.
What does it take?
It takes a lot of work — mainly because you’ll be responsible for feeding every customer’s pet and cleaning up after every visit. There’s also the cost of supplies like food and supplies (such as leashes), as well as costs associated with facility rental fees, insurance policies, and other operational expenses that may not come up front at first glance but will eventually add up over time.
Safety Measures
We take safety very seriously and have a clear set of procedures to ensure your pet’s safety.
Employ the following safety measures for pets:
- A high-quality dog flea collar, which is resistant to fleas and ticks.
- A high-quality collar for your dog to wear when they come into our care.
- Clean up after your pet and dispose of any feces so as not to spread disease.
- Use disinfectant wipes throughout our facilities, including the rooms where dogs sleep, and disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with your pet.
- Provide a photo ID tag for your pet so we can quickly identify them if they escape or get lost.
Competition analysis is the process of identifying and analyzing the competition. It’s a vital part of business planning because you need to know who you’re up against before figuring out how best to position your product or service in the market.
How to Do Competition Analysis
Competition analysis can be done on several different levels:
- Level 1: Identifying competitors.
- Level 2: Determining their strengths and weaknesses.
- Level 3: Determining how they approach marketing and other strategies.
How to Select the Best Location for the Business.
The first step in starting your dog daycare business is deciding where you want to set up shop. There are several factors that you need to consider when making this decision. These include:
Location – Is the business located in a high-traffic area?
Accessibility – Can customers quickly get to the business? Or do they need to travel far to visit?
Leases and Rental Prices – How much does it cost per month for rent or lease? Do costs vary between different areas of town?
Finding a location that meets your criteria at once may be difficult if you’re just starting. But there are ways that you can determine which aspects of a location are most important during this process.
For example, if you’re looking for a place with easy access but don’t have much money to spend on rent, it makes sense to look at locations with high traffic and low rent prices.
This way, you’ll be able to afford both an inexpensive space and something easy for customers to get into and out of without having too much trouble finding parking or crossing busy streets!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common questions I receive from new dog daycare owners?
- How do I get started?
- What should I charge for my services?
- How much time will be spend with my dogs?
- How do I make sure that my dogs are happy and well-kept?
- What kind of supplies do I need to have on hand?
- Will it be hard to find clients if I don’t have a business address?
- Is there anything else that I need to know before starting this business?
- How can I ensure that all my dogs get along well?
- What will things help me choose a suitable facility for my dogs?
- Where can I find customers?
Conclusion
Looking at the current state of the pet industry in America, you might think that owning a pet is financially right out of reach for the average American. But with some planning, resourcing, and determination, it’s well within your grasp to start a dog daycare business from home.
The article emphasizes that you need to see your goal through by getting off your backside and starting to do something about it. Don’t be afraid or shy away from drawing up a business plan where you see yourself six months from now or year one.