At one time, there were 9,000 boarding kennels in the United States and Canada servicing more than 30 million pet owners every year and with almost 96 million [5.9 million dogs in Canada and over 89 million dogs in the US] dogs in both territories that is like 3,333 dogs to a kennel? That is huge, so starting a dog kennel business will mean better efficient services to more dogs and equal distribution in the dog kennel market.

These are some pretty good numbers for anyone starting in the dog kennel business; however, there is more than just the amount of money you’ll be making from it.

Before you consider starting a kennel business, think deep and hard about it. If you have a family, how it will impact them, the time [dog kennel is a full-time dedication business], where and how you will make it successful. 

Furthermore, this is a business of passion, it is not just to make money; passion is the key to a dog kennel business.

Do you have the passion? How much are you willing to dedicate to the business? Do you have a plan mapped out about what to do? 

While you are getting your answers ready, remember, this business is not for everyone, it is physically tasking, and it requires a lot to truly take care of someone else’s pet dog better than they will.

The Pet Care Market US

There are 84.9 million households in the United States that own a dog, and since early 2000, the pet ownership traits have increased tremendously even in times of depression.

The pet boarding and grooming industry has also taken a chunk out of the pet market as more people who own dogs or cats look for facilities that can care for their beloved pet while they are away.

The demand for dog kennel and boarding facility has been on the rise for the past five years, and with an expected growth of over 6 percent, the industry is expected to reach 9 billion US dollars in revenue as pet parents demand extra care, and catering for their pets.

In the US, the number of dog kennel businesses keeps increasing by the day as more people seek the comfort and companion of pet, especially dogs. 

This industry is also proving to be a major employment opportunity for people with almost 200,000 people employed by dog kennel businesses in the US.

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The dog kennel business has a huge market, and as more people look forward to more exclusive and luxury services for their pets, new trends are changing the market and boosting the dog kennel business.

 

Steps to starting a Dog Kennel Business

If you are a true dog lover, chances are you will take any size of the dog that comes to your kennel, with that a lot of barking, excreta, peeing and lots of stink. While starting this business can work from anywhere like your home backyard, there are strict regulations one must follow to avoid problems with the law.

Funding the Dog Kennel Business

How much you have to invest in the dog kennel business will determine if the business will succeed or fail? Finance is everything in a business, starting a dog kennel business will set you back $24, 000 to $81,000 when building the business from scratch or more if you are buying the business from another person.

While sourcing for funds can be easy, a dog business is not one that aims to break even, it is a business where you continually save and expand to provide the best service for your clients and their pets.

If you don’t have the financial backing, you can source fund from family and friends or start a saving program pending when everything falls into place.

Another way to get the required funds is though soft loan application or seek funds from a commercial bank.

Remember starting a kennel business is costly, the bulk of which comes from getting facility equipment, and the paperwork. While it is possible to start small, dog kennel market grows very fast, especially when your services are great, so look towards getting a big place that you can expand into as you grow.

Zoning and Insurance

We have seen lots of places where people tell you to start a kennel business from your backyard, while that is an interesting idea as it cuts cost and saves you money for a facility, it can be the biggest mistake in your business plan.

For people intending to start a dog kennel business, zoning regulation is a big one that can’t be missed. Don’t overlook it, don’t ignore it or push it until later, NO!

To be sure, contact the zoning board and animal authority in your area and inquire if there any law about starting a dog kennel in your area of choice.

Dogs are very noisy and to respect the right to other people’s right to calmness, areas zoned out as residential premises are usually not allowed to be used as/for a dog kennel business.

PLEASE DON’T MISS THIS STEP 

Once you have ironed out any zoning issues, gets your dog kennel licensing and insurance policy drafted and all paperwork handled before the next step. If you are planning to care for all kinds of breeds, get an insurance policy that covers all breeds or be particulate about the breed and choose a policy that covers your choice accordingly.

You can use insurance agents or visit the animal authority in your state with your doubts and how to handle them.

Why an insurance policy is important?

Dogs are pets that can be active one minute and sick the next. While we all hope that accidents don’t happen under our watch, animals are unpredictable, and damages, death, sickness can happen.

To protect you and your staff from liabilities, ensure that the insurance policy covers your facility, staff, and eventualities that might/might not happen in the process.

In the United States, having an insurance policy when starting a dog kennel business protect you from paying out of your business or with your personal money in the event of an accident.

Some basic insurance policies for people considering a dog kennel business are

• Liability insurance
• Health insurance
• Auto insurance
• Worker insurance [if you have staff]
• Business owner insurance
• Property and general insurance
• Hazard insurance and overhead expense insurance

Some legal documents you should have to run a Dog Kennel Business

You can ask around from other dog kennels or from your lawyer the necessary paperwork but below are documents you should have

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Federal Tax Identification number
• Operating Agreement for Limited Liability Corporations
• Service contract documents
• The business premise lease document
• Sales Tax Permit
• Insurance policy
• Zoning approval document
• Health department document
• Business license
• Business plan

Depending on your state and location, documents may vary, but ensure you have all the necessary paperwork done.

Are you buying a franchise, an existing facility or starting from Scratch?

This is a major decision, while each has its own advantages; it comes with some tremendous responsibility, and expenditure.

For example, if you decide to buy a franchise, you have to live to the name, brand, and business code of conduct that the parent business has set already. This can be really tasking and stressful. It can also mean you don’t have time to impact your passion in the business you love with all your heart.

However, buying a franchise allows you to build up the business without worrying about basic kinds of stuff such as choosing a name, registration, customer base, and costing.

Secondly, buying an existing facility is also great, even though some facility might be in the perfect location, they may lack the amenities and stuff you need to run it. In the worst case, it will need some serious building overhaul too.

As good as it is; it has a lot of time and paperwork to cover so that the previous owner doesn’t come up with a change of heart when the business is doing well.

Finally starting from the bottom up, this might seem small, but all good business started to form the base. If you have a plan and direction where you want the business to be in 5 or 10 years, starting at your own pace can be the motivational force to making it a success.

Whatever choice you make, ensure that the dog kennel has adequate space inside and outside and the area is well protected so that dogs can go out.

So think wisely and carefully before you make that initial deposit for a facility.

Acquire the proper knowledge and skills

As you are planning to start a dog kennel business, you should have lots of experience with dogs before venturing into the business. You don’t specifically need a degree or certification, but having the right certification will boost your business, increase your recommendation to others, and boost your business.

Furthermore, taking the time to serve at an animal shelter or boarding facility will improve your understanding of dogs, their behavior, habits, and health and how to run the facility efficiently when you start.

You can apply to the International Boarding and Pet Service Association program as a member to get the training and education skill to successfully run a dog kennel business. 

 

Choosing a name for the business

Now that everything is falling into place, you need a name – a catchphrase that people will remember.

• When choosing the name ensures that it speaks about your passion, the animal, and pops your personality. 
• It should not be too complex either; something simple straight forward and doggy would be nice.
• It should be fun but firm, business-like, unique and unforgettable and of course, it must be easy to pronounce.
• It should not be similar to your competition in any way – you can get sued for doing that.
• Don’t just pick the first name; ponder over a couple of others until you find the right one.

Patents your name, logo, and slogan when you are done, it can be the only way to retain them when your business is successful.

The Equipment for the Kennel Business

If you are building your dog kennel business from scratch, then you need a lot of types of equipment to assist you in the smooth running of the business. Some basic amenities are

• Cages, crates and small protected spaces
• An indoor exercise area/play area
• Dog toys
• Grooming table
• Drinking and eating bowls
• Treats as rewards for good behavior
• Office space – equipment for the office – laptop, chairs, table, writing pads, etc
• Pool, training course
• Beds and rest areas
• A good waste disposal system

Furthermore, the area should be secured, security cameras should be placed around the facility, it should be well- aerated and ventilated.

It should have a vet as part of the staff team or close to a veterinary hospital in case a dog falls sick in your care.

Hire helping Hands

To run a successful dog kennel business, you need help. You can start with a couple of people – who will be in charge of taking care and supervising the overall countenance of the dogs.

As the kennel business grows, you will need a front desk staff, a manager, a groomer, trainer, and a vet.

When choosing the staff, make sure they love dogs and are passionate about the business as much as you are.

Setting the price of your services

The cost will be determined by what services you offer to potential clients. The average cost per night for a dog ranges from $30 – $50 and can go as high as $85 depending on the services that the pet enjoys.

Dogs can enjoy regular service or luxury service that cost more if your kennel also offers grooming, spa, or special offers, then the price goes up – daily, weekly or monthly as the case may be.

Dog kennels also cater for cats and other pets for parents who won’t be around for a while or need them to stay out for a while, either way, the charges are according to the services provided.

Aggressive Advertising 

You are in business to make money; hence the thought of revenue generation shouldn’t be taken lightly. It should be part of the initial plan from the start.

To beat the competition [for there will be one] is not by lowering your prices, but by being in the customer’s face always with your offers, and capability.

Place ads in a newspaper, radio shows, or TVs is a great way to start, attending dog shows, and offer services others don’t.

You can also alliance with schools, vets, and dog groups as an educator to promote the business.

Launch Date

Prepare a grand opening for this date; it will pay in the future. During the event offer, a discount for all dogs kept for that day.

Pet parents won’t keep their pets anywhere, so let your passion for the dog be on display in the presence of your clients and good knowledge about dogs will help a lot.

Well, there you have it, and good luck.

Want to grow and scale your ‘Dog Kennel’ Business ?? Then you need to apply right targeted strategies which can bring a lot of Pet owners as your customers!! Click here to know more!