Cashing in on Pet Day Cares and Spas
They say a dog is man's best friend. But judging by how much
affection and money we lavish on our pets, perhaps the opposite is true.
Consider the case of the pet day-care center, a short-term kennel
of sorts, where pet owners can drop off their animals for the day while they
go off to work rather than leave them alone at home. Here, pets -- dogs especially
-- have the chance to run, exercise and socialize with their canine amigos
in a supervised atmosphere.
Believe it or not, these centers are a growing phenomenon. Profit magazine
listed dog day-care centers and spas as one of the top 10 best business opportunities.
If you like working with animals and have an interest in being an entrepreneur,
starting your own pet center might prove to be rewarding.
The need for pet day-care centers arises from two central facts, according
to Lauren Westreich of Every Dog Has Its Day Care in Emeryville, California.
People are working longer hours and are working farther from home than they
have before.
This means they have less time to spend with their pets and ensure they
get the exercise and attention they need. "It's not as easy to get a
dog out as much as would be beneficial," says Westreich. "A well-run center
provides exercise, basic needs and socialization."
Brad Pattison of Yuppy Puppy Dog Day Care agrees. "There is a huge demand
now that more people are working longer days and leisure time is compressed,"
he says.
And then there's the fact that more and more people are getting pets
and are able to spend more money on them. "Canine partnership is on the increase
for two reasons: companionship and safety. The care for the dog has advanced
in a large way in the last 10 years, because we now view the family dog as
part of the family," Pattison says.
Or, to put it another way, people love their pets more now than in years
past. "I believe in today's world, people are more devoted to pets than
ever before," says pet sitter Claudia Owen. "There are almost as many pet
products in the pet stores as there are toys in the toy stores.
"People without children tend to look to their pets for that missing link,
so to speak, and will and do pay to have their animals taken care of while
they are away."
It's this devotion that has created the need for pet centers. And
with more and more people acquiring pets, it's a need that will likely
continue.
Running a pet care center means tackling a lot of responsibility, not the
least of which involves "cleaning, customer interaction, selling, poop scooping,
grooming, feeding, and more cleaning," according to Richard Phillips of the
Home Away From Home Pet Spa in Monterey, California.
The responsibilities are in many ways similar to that of a day-care center.
Owners drop their pets off in the morning and come back to pick them up after
work. In between, the center ensures that the dogs get not only enough exercise,
but mental stimulus as well. So when the owners come to pick them up, the
animals are happy and relaxed.
"A typical day is actually a blast," Pattison says. "It isn't work.
More like a day party that gives you all the freedom you want. If you want
to go window shopping, then do so, just take the dogs. If you want to go to
the beach, get going."
Potential pet center operators need to be aware, however, that a high level
of safety and focus is needed in order to run a center effectively. "You have
to have a presence or energy on the floor," Westreich says. "Dogs respond
to it."
More importantly, Pattison says, "A dog is not just a dog in this day and
age. A dog is a family member."
For that reason alone, center owners need to ensure that the pets are well-behaved,
that they interact with each other well and that every worker at the center
understands how to work with dogs and will not mistreat them. "You cannot
make a mistake," Westreich says.
As far as schooling goes, there are no real colleges or degrees that will
prepare you for a life of pet care. But a business degree will help you on
the entrepreneurial end.
The best advice for those interested in this field is to get jobs in places
that will expose you to working with large groups of animals, like other pet
centers (many handle 50 dogs or more a day and require a full-time staff of
several people).
Westreich says the best and most helpful advice is to find a job with a
trainer who deals with "last-chance dogs" -- those who will be put to sleep
if they are unable to be re-trained. That would let you see a wide range of
animal behaviors and body languages. Courses in dog handling and training
are also useful.
"Anything that can further your knowledge of animal training and handling,"
says Cory Bertrand of Bark With Me Doggy Day Care.
"The industry likes to hire people with some experience either [at a] vet
hospital or [in] rescue work," says Mary Sorosky of the Animal Inn in Santa
Barbara, California.
"When people come in and apply and say they love animals, it takes way
more than just your love to do this work. It takes handling different types
of dogs with different personalities. But if I have the time to train, I will
do that with the right person."
For the most part, there are no real rules or regulations regarding operating
a pet center. That may change as more and more pet centers pop up across the
landscape.
Keep in mind, however, that every area is different. Some cities and towns
may have local laws regarding operating a pet business. Be sure to check out
the regulations in your area before setting up shop.
If you do decide to open your own pet center, don't expect it to be
a moneymaking gold mine right away. In fact, in order to get your center off
the ground, expect to be spending a lot more than you'll be earning initially.
"If spending $50,000 sounds like a lot, then you probably shouldn't
do it," Westreich says. Also, keep in mind that running a pet center means,
as Phillips says, "No holidays. At least not normal ones."
If you stick to it, though, your business can turn into a profitable venture.
Depending on capacity and the amount of services offered, a successful center
can generate up to $200,000, according to Phillips.
In terms of personal salary, that means you can take home somewhere in
the vicinity of $40,000 to $70,000. "There's no reason you can't
be successful and live comfortably," Westreich says. "If you're looking
to make millions, [however] you may not be in the right business."
Not just anyone can operate a dog day-care center. First off, and perhaps
most obviously, one needs to have a real love of animals and not be afraid
of dogs. More than that, though, is the need to be able to work with people.
Remember: you're there not just to keep the dog happy, but the owner
as well. "The number one skill is customer service," Phillips says. "There
are always dogs and cats and we love them all, but if you can't make
the client feel comfortable they'll never leave their pet with you."
"You have to be able to communicate well with people. Understanding really
comes into play," Sorosky says. "Also, having a dependable work ethic is very
big in this industry."
Links
How to Start a Doggie Day Care Business
Get some tips
Every Dog Has Its Day Care
Providing a safe, healthy and fun environment for dog clients
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