How to Start a Dog Daycare, Boarding & Pet Resort
For many people, owning and operating a pet Boarding and Daycare business is a lifelong dream. It combines their goal of owning their own business with their love for animals, and the desire to see our furry friends cared for in a loving and respectful way; all in a state-of-the art pet resort.
For those who are intent on creating and operating a dog boarding and daycare facility, there are 4 basic ways to enter the Boarding and Daycare Industry. They are :
Buy an existing business. First, many of the challenges like zoning, building, and establishing a client base have been established. Second, It has a track record so you can analyze the business’ revenue and profitability. This can reduce your risk, and make the financing of the business easier than it is for a start-up.
As with any purchase, you need to be cautious and do your due diligence on the building condition, the financials, and the reputation of the business. Consumer ratings of these existing businesses can usually be found on Yelp, Google, Angie’s List, sometimes the Better Business Bureau, and other sites.
Do an Internet search on “Buying a Boarding Kennel”, there are a number of sources for listings………here are a few to get you started ( but not recommended one way or another by ourselves )………and, if you need some assistance on evaluating a business, or doing some upgrades to take a facility to the next level, contact us to help you.
Just do it. It can be done !! On your own. But it’s a bit complicated………and a bit of a headache !! Let us help make the process smoother while saving you money and getting you up & running faster and more profitably.
We did it, but would do it with help if we had to do it over.
Here is our story: Beginning in 2003, Renee began “following her bliss” and focused on her passion for dogs and starting her own business. Her previous corporate experience proved invaluable in creating and operating a state-of-the art luxury dog hotel and daycare where every guest experience is personalized to exceed expectations.
Two years was spent devising a compelling business plan, and financing, conducting a competitive analysis and focus groups, researching the area for the ideal site, working with the city on zoning and construction design approval, designing the building and outdoor areas and evaluating contractors. Renee figures she could have saved a minimum of $75k if a knowledgeable consultant had been available.
“I don’t want anyone to go through the hassles and learning curve I experienced. That’s why Best In Show Consulting was born. It’s rewarding to see all the pieces come together and watch the doors open of a new luxury hotel/daycare based on that client’s vision… and knowing they are prepared and and trained to operate the resort.”
So, you can “just do it”; we are one of many who did.
But remember, even if you want to do most of it by yourself, you can obtain help in some specific areas……
see our Products page, and feel free to “cherry pick” any specific components of our products and services where you feel you need the most help.
Utilize a franchise. From a consumer standpoint, franchises can be great for products or services consumers shop or use nationally, or on impulse, such as restaurants like Subway or McDonald’s. Pet boarding and daycare tends to be a different type of decision though—-people are not going to let their precious pet stay just anywhere. Ask your friends if they know the name of a national dog franchise; you’ll probably find brand awareness for many dog boarding franchises appears to be very low, and, for some of their locations, they are not always held in the highest regard. Plus, franchise fees add up quickly. We did the math and would have paid a franchisor about $ 500k over our first seven years!! Check out our What About Franchises page.
So rather than following the cookie cutter franchise formula, and pay out a lot of money, utilizing Best In Show can provide you with the resources and knowledge to help you create a resort in your own vision
Utilize a consultant - Hey, that’s us! Check out our consulting services , tools for how to plan your dog daycare and dog boarding pet resort, and how to run your dog boarding and daycare pet resort