Are You Ready to Open a Doggie Daycare?

Do you love dogs and have an entrepreneurial mindset? Maybe starting and investing in a doggie daycare franchise is the right path for you.  The pet industry is at an all-time high, and recent trends show Americans spent an estimated $99 billion on their furry friends in 2020. In today’s society, dogs are part of the family, and many folks will stop at nothing to protect and make their canine companions happy. 

Managing something you love is fun, rewarding, and can be quite satisfying, and let’s face it, working with dogs all day can be a blast. But like any job, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Owning a franchise is hard work and takes dedication. Read on as we’ve broken down what it takes to own and run a dog daycare franchise.  Read on to learn more about this gratifying opportunity, how to get started, and if it is right for you.

What is a Dog Daycare?

Much like a daycare center for children, dog daycare is just that – a place for working and busy dog owners to temporarily drop off and leave their pets. You will be responsible for taking care of the canines, including feeding, walking, and playing with them. Other tasks may include bathing, grooming, and administering medication. 

When you open a doggie daycare under a franchise such as The Dog StopⓇ, you invest money to obtain the trademark, branding, and name. You will pay initial and start-up fees but receive support by way of management, training, marketing, and more.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Dog Daycare as a Franchise?

Of course, we all want to know how much something will cost us, especially when it comes to start-up fees. So, what are the dog daycare franchise costs? Investments for starting a dog daycare business can range anywhere from $354,000 to $815,000. This includes several variables, which include but is not limited to:

 

  • Cost to buy or rent a location
  • Upfront Franchise fee
  • Annual royalty fee
  • Marketing costs
  • Training costs
  • Renewal fees

 

The average investment to start your own dog daycare at The Dog Stop is between $400,000 and $500,000. We require a minimum net worth of $750,000 and at least $150,000 in liquidity to secure appropriate financing.

How to Start a Dog Day Care

  • Before starting any franchise, including dog daycare, you should always include a business plan. Potential investors will request one, and it will help you stay organized and on track, plus determine any areas that need improvement or alterations. 
  • Next, you will need to determine the required licenses and certifications. We suggest talking with a business attorney familiar with the types of licensing requirements and zoning regulations in your community. 
  • Determine the types of clients you are willing to accept, both people and dogs. Factor in the level of experience you have, including specific health conditions, size of the dogs, and location of your business. Perhaps large dogs are not suitable for running a franchise out of your home. The earlier you factor in all of these equations, the better prepared you will be to run your business. 
  • Lastly, ensure you have the proper training to maintain the safety of the dogs and your staff. It’s best to partner with and work with a local veterinarian right away in case of any medical emergencies. The American Red Cross offers a 35-minute online course on cat and dog first aid as well as other essential resources on emergency care for our canine friends. 

 

Supplies and Equipment Needed Before Day One

Like with anything, before starting dog daycare, there is going to be equipment and supplies needed. While many items can be accumulated or purchased throughout the first few months, there are several things you will need right away. These include:

 

  • Dog food, both wet and dry
  • Dog treats
  • Towels and or blankets
  • Leashes
  • Feeding dishes
  • Flea and tick shampoo
  • Canine first aid kit
  • Human first aid kit
  • Muzzles
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Poop bags
  • Trash can with a lid
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Storage bins
  • Shop-Vac
  • Bucket and Mop
  • Dog bones and toys
  • Deep sink for washing out bowls’
  • Refrigerator for holding wet foods and medicines
  • Air purifier
  • Staff! Why? Because you can’t do everything on your own. 

 

Hiring the Right Staff

Prepping your dog daycare center with the right food, treats, play toys, and cleaning supplies is important, but when it comes to caring for the living, breathing animals, nothing is as vital as hiring the right staff. You will want to find a few qualified individuals who care about dogs as much as you and your clients do. It’s important that they become familiar with the locations, equipment, and different types of dogs you will board. As the first face a client may see, they should be able to answer questions and offer solutions to make the dogs feel safe and clients comfortable leaving their beloved family members in your care. 

They should be able to interact with a diverse population and handle a multitude of different-sized dogs. Being natural problem solvers since dogs, like humans, can be unpredictable and have the innate ability to improvise will also go a long way in caring for these four-legged canines.

 

Ready to Start a Dog Day Care? Contact The Dog Stop Today!

Think you’re ready? Here at The Dog Stop, we are prepared to work with you. We have established a franchise business model that allows us to give our franchises the attention they deserve throughout the process. We support and guide you every step of the way, including in the location search, lease negotiation, employee administration, business operations, marketing, advertising, customer service, and so much more. We’ll even be there the day before, during, and after your grand opening. 

Dog Stop owners, Jesse and Chris, are knowledgeable and have experience working in all parts of dog daycare and are ready to stop at nothing to help you. Contact us today and learn more about owning a franchise in the booming pet industry.

Not yet ready to own a franchise? Come and check out one of our many dog care facilities around the country at a location near you!