How to Start a Dog Care Business

For those with a passion and compassion for canines, a dog care business may provide just the right mix of profits and personal fulfillment. From rescuing home-bound canines for a walk midday to pampering the spoiled pooch with simple or elaborate grooming routines, the world of dog care provides several business opportunities. Starting a dog care business allows those with a love of canines to start with various services and expand as money, demand and time allows.

Step 1

Make a decision on the basics. Decide on the type of services you will offer. Options in dog care services and businesses include dog-walking, dog-sitting, grooming and various types of pet stores or boutiques. Consider short- and long-term goals and visions. Start small if necessary and add-on services down the road to meet customer requests. Come up with a name for your business. Check on name availability with the secretary of state office in your state and with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Step 2

Get on task with a business plan. Create a business plan to help guide and direct your business. Go to the U.S. Small Business Administration website for help on laying out and completing a business plan. A business plan includes information related to the mission and goals of your company, projected profitability, financing needs and marketing tactics. Take the time to evaluate your competition, other dog care businesses in the area, to collect data on pricing and expected costs.

Step 3

Purchase any necessary equipment. Dog-sitting and dog-walking services may only need to purchase a few items to get started, such as leashes and a variety of dog toys and treats. Other businesses, such as pet boutiques and grooming locations, require a more substantial initial equipment investment. When purchasing new equipment, consider your goals for future expansion and development. Make purchases that make sense now, and down the road.

Step 4

Seek out a location. With the exception of dog boutiques, dog bakeries and large grooming operations, many dog care businesses can be operated out of the home. For those operations that require a physical retail space, investigate leasing versus purchasing and take a careful audit of the surrounding area. Evaluate the area for competitor presence, traffic patterns and size.

Step 5

Attract customers to your dog care business. Develop a targeted marketing campaign. Ideas include supplying other dog care professionals and businesses, such as veterinarians and animal shelters, with plenty of brochures and business cards for them to display and hand out to their clients. Consider asking for advertising help from other dog care services in your area that offer a complementary service. For instance, those looking to start a pet bakery can advertise their business with local dog boutique stores.

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Yard work (САША)

Got rake, will travel? Most landscapers will cut grass, but they don't necessarily do the stuff that most homeowners don't have time to do themselves, such as weeding, planting, leaf raking, snow shoveling, hanging or removing holiday decorations. With little more than some work gloves and a ladder, you could be in business in no time.

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Pet sitter (ПАША)

Recession or not, pets are people, too (or so many a pet owner believes). If you love animals, are reliable, organized and trustworthy, there's no shortage of work for you. The more satisfied customers you have, the more quickly your business will grow. Nothing soothes an antsy pet owner more than a good recommendation from another animal lover.

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Elder assistant

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