Plan carefully before launching an animal grooming, daycare or boarding businesses.
As Americans adopt more pets and spend more time working, the need for services such as boarding, daycare and grooming is growing annually. Americans now own 77.5 million dogs and 93.5 cats, and owners spend billions of dollars each year on pet-related services, according to the American Pet Products Association. Starting any type of pet-related business presents expanding opportunities, but various pre-launch steps must be taken to develop a successful enterprise.
Instructions
1. Make a list of the businesses you would consider. Your list may include pet grooming, boarding, day care, dog training, pet photography, pet nutrition specialist and dog walking. All of these offer direct contact with pets, and thus require animal-handling experience, specific insurance coverage, and a commitment to caring for animals often considered to be family members.
Include also businesses that relate to pets but may not be hands-on. These enterprises may include humane education (visiting local schools to teach kids about animals), animal-assisted therapy and pet-supply retail.
2. Investigate locations for boarding, grooming and day-care businesses. A dog-walking business may not need a rented office, but a grooming or day-care business requires rented space. Investigate local zoning laws to find out where you can develop a pet business and how many animals you're allowed to have on site at one time. Also consider convenience; your location should offer easy access and parking for clients coming by car.
3. Conduct market research to make sure your community can support the business you are considering. If there are four doggy day-care operations in a small town, you would do better with another type of business. Find out who your prospective competitors are and make an informed decision.
4. Research pet-business insurance policies. With animals and owners coming in and out of your business, you'll need liability coverage in case an animal or client is hurt on your property. If you're running a home business for dog walking, you'll need similar liability insurance in case an animal escapes from a walker and causes problems in the community. An agent can help you determine the type and extent of coverage you need.
5. Recruit employees with pet-care experience. Look for former pet-grooming and day-care employees with good references. Prepare a training manual for handle specific situations, and review it with all new employees.
6. Cultivate a relationship with a local veterinarian. If any of the animals in your care require immediate medical attention, having a veterinary clinic nearby whose staff knows your business will be critical. The vet's office also can help you understand which vaccines animal should receive and how often, so you're aware and can keep proper records on your animal clients.
7. Promote your new business. Consider local newspaper advertising and social-network posting to announce when you're opening. Offer specials the first month of operation to draw in new clients. In time, word of mouth will become an important part of a developing new business, so be sure to treat every client attentively.
Tags: your business, business need, case animal, employees with, grooming day-care