How to Start a Doggy Daycare Business: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pet Care Pros
Have you ever wanted to look after a gaggle of adorable pups all day long? If you have a great passion for dogs or already own a successful pet care business, then starting your own doggy daycare (or adding those services to your company’s repertoire) might be the perfect career move for you!
In recent years, the demand for daycare services has been steadily rising, with more pet parents seeking care that includes exercise, socialization with other pups, and personal attention—all under the watchful eyes of a pet care professional. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in pursuing, we’ve got the ultimate step-by-step guide to help you start, grow, and manage your brand-new doggy daycare. Let’s dig in!
Step 1: Understand the Opportunity
How Much Do Doggy Daycare Businesses Make?
One of the first questions you’ll probably ask is, “How much do doggy daycares actually make?” Well, it depends on a few factors, like where your daycare is located, how big the business is, and what services you offer. On average, the cost to board a dog for a full day ranges from about $12 to $38 per dog. So, if you’re caring for 15 dogs a day, you could bring in anywhere from $180 to $570 daily—that’s about $5,400 to $17,100 per month.
Now, if you’re handling more dogs, those numbers increase. For example, caring for 25 dogs could bring in roughly $300 to $950 a day, or $9,000 to $28,500 per month. But keep in mind, this is just revenue. You’ll still need to factor in expenses like rent, supplies, maintenance, and more.
Understand Your Dog Daycare Market
Before diving too deep into your new doggy daycare venture, it’s crucial to have a strong understanding of your local market for these services. Are there already many daycares in your area, or does the market mostly focus on dog walking and pet sitting? If there are other dog daycares nearby, how will you differentiate yourself from them?
Since a doggy daycare requires a physical, brick-and-mortar location, it’s also important to consider where you want your business to be based. Choosing the right spot is key. For daycare services, try to focus on areas with a high concentration of pet parents who are likely to work outside the home. Targeting neighborhoods where homes typically don’t have backyards can be a major advantage as well, especially when it comes to attracting prospective clients.
Conduct Market Research
Market research is an essential first step for all business owners. The best way to conduct this research for your new doggy daycare is to speak directly with potential clients. Seek them out to better understand their current solutions, needs, and whether they’d be open to trying a new dog daycare service.
You can (and should) also review your local competition to see what services they offer and how they run their businesses. This can go a long way in helping you decide which policies or practices you might want to adopt for your own company, or how you want to differentiate yourself.
It’s also important to note that your competition won’t be limited to other doggy daycares. Any pet care business offering in-home visits while pet parents are at work should be considered a direct competitor.
Stay Updated on New Pet Care Trends
Very few industries are evolving as rapidly as pet care. The demand for innovative services that improve the quality of care we provide for our pets is growing every day. That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of new trends and emerging needs, so you can continue to be an industry expert for both your business and your clients.
One great way to stay informed is by setting up Google Alerts for topics that matter to you and your business!
Step 2: Finding the Right Location
Scout Potential Locations
It’s never too early to start checking out potential locations for your doggy daycare. As we discussed earlier, try focusing on areas with a high number of pet parents and where demand for daycare services is likely to be strong (such as densely populated neighborhoods without yards). Another smart idea is to scout locations near transportation hubs, since many pet parents will drop off their pups before work and pick them up afterward.
Choose the Perfect Location
The location of your daycare facility will likely be the most important factor in determining your business’s success. You can provide outstanding service, but if your business is in an area with low demand for doggy daycare services, it will be difficult to turn a profit. Use the research topics and considerations mentioned earlier to identify the ideal spot for your business, and remember to always have a backup plan, just in case.
Consider Accessibility and Visibility
When choosing the perfect location for your doggy daycare, make sure it’s easy for clients to find and access. This means being close to main roads and transportation hubs, having parking available so pet parents can safely transport their pets between their vehicles and your facility, and being in an area where your building, company name, and logos are clearly visible.
If you find a great location but it lacks good signage or visibility, potential clients may overlook your business or become frustrated and choose a more easily found option.
Step 3: Building Your Business Plan
A solid business plan is your roadmap to success. There’s a ton of valuable information available online to help you build one, but we especially recommend the Writing A Business Plan article on the SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) website. It’s a great resource for any new small business owner.
When it comes time to draft your business plan, here are the most important sections to consider:
- Executive Summary: A brief overview of your business and what will make it unique.
- Company Description: Similar to the executive summary, but with more detail about the different aspects of your business.
- Market Analysis: This section includes findings from your research (e.g. location insights, market opportunities, competitors, and more).
- Organization and Management: Outline your business structure and provide information about your management team.
- Services Offered: Provide a detailed description of your services (like daycare, boarding, grooming, training, etc.).
- Marketing Plan: Explain how you’ll differentiate your company and attract new customers. (We’ll dive deeper into this below!)
- Financial Projections: Include estimates of your startup costs, capital requirements, and projections for future business performance.
Define Your Value Proposition
Value propositions are a key part of your business plan. What will make your doggy daycare unique? What’s your company’s “magic” or “secret sauce” that will convince pet parents to choose you to care for their beloved pets? Take the time to really reflect on what makes you, your team, and your services special—and how you’ll stand out to prospective clients as they consider their pet care options.
At their core, value propositions are simple statements that explain why a client should choose your service over others. These should be woven throughout your business plan and deeply ingrained in your company’s DNA.
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Step 4: Addressing Legal Requirements
When starting a new business, you should always review what is legally required of you and your company before opening your doors and accepting clients. Especially with a doggy daycare, there will be some legal requirements to meet, such as licenses or permits. These exact requirements vary from city to city, so your best option is to get advice from a local legal professional or contact your local government or zoning office for more information.
Understand Local Regulations
Each city and state has its own regulations regarding pet care businesses. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these laws to ensure you and your business stay compliant. You may also need to adhere to specific health and safety standards, which can affect how you design your daycare facility and run your operations.
Obtain Business Insurance
Running a doggy daycare comes with its own fair share of risks. That’s why obtaining business insurance is a key step in starting your daycare. Accidents happen, especially when working with animals, and having the right insurance can make all the difference if something goes wrong. Without proper coverage, you could face setbacks that disrupt operations, hurt your finances, or damage your reputation.
Step 5: Designing Your Space
This is one of the most fun steps in our guide! Designing your daycare space lets you exercise your creative muscles and put your pet care expertise to work. First and foremost, your design should focus on creating a safe environment for pets to spend their days (and nights, if your services include overnight boarding). One of the first things to figure out is where pets will spend most of their time while in your care. Will you have daycare rooms? Private spaces for pets? An overnight area where they can safely rest in their own closed-off space?
You’ll also want to consider whether your facility can include an outdoor area. If you plan to offer outdoor playtime or swimming opportunities, you’ll need to ensure your location and facility can accommodate those services through your design plans.
Additionally, think about how you will keep your facility clean, how ventilation and lighting will be arranged, and where your employees will work. While laying out your plans, don’t forget to sprinkle your company’s unique “magic” throughout the design, too!
Create A Safe Environment
Pet safety deserves its own section, as it’s the highest priority for every pet care professional. When designing your facility, make sure the location is secure, especially if you include an outdoor area. Use only non-toxic, animal-safe materials for furniture and construction.
As mentioned earlier, consider how you’ll organize different spaces for pets in your care. Will you separate them by size or weight? Provide private rooms? How will you store each pet’s supplies, especially medications or food that require special or temperature-controlled storage?
Spend time thinking through these decisions carefully, and be sure to consult your city and state’s health and safety requirements to ensure your facility is up to code.
Step 6: Set Up Your Operations
Once you’ve drafted your business plan, scouted the perfect location, and started designing your space for your daycare facility, it’s time to focus on your business operations and processes:
- Staffing: Your business is only as good as your team. Be sure to hire experienced staff who are as passionate about dogs as you are and who share your vision.
- Scheduling: Creating a smooth system for drop-offs and pick-ups is crucial. Luckily, Time To Pet offers easy-to-use dog daycare software to help you manage this efficiently!
- Safety Protocols: Dedicate ample time to establishing safety policies and procedures, and be sure to enforce them consistently. This should include requiring proof of vaccination for all pets entering your facility.
Implement Doggy Daycare Software
You’re not starting a doggy daycare because you love invoicing, collecting payments, or setting up software—you’re doing it because you have a passion for animals and their well-being. Running a daycare means managing a lot of logistics, so investing in robust software designed for daycare services, like Time To Pet, can help you streamline your operations and automate tasks you don’t want to worry about, such as scheduling and payment management. For more information on our software, visit our product page here: Time To Pet Dog Daycare Software.
Step 7: Price Your Services
When it comes to setting prices for your services, it’s important to have a deep understanding of your business expenses and what your breakeven point will look like. Your pricing should cover your costs, including staff payments, leave room for profit, and reflect the quality of care your business provides.
Offer Flexible Packages
One of the most popular tools for doggy daycares is flexible packages that clients can purchase and redeem as they need. These packages allow you to collect revenue earlier and provide an easy way for clients to return once their current package runs out. Another great option to consider is subscription-style daycare services! These can offer your business steady revenue and help build client loyalty and repeat business.
Step 8: Marketing Your Doggy Daycare
Attracting new clients is all about getting your name out there! Marketing is essential for any business, especially in service-based industries like pet care, and having a good strategy can make or break your ability to build a strong client base. Here are a few ways you can market your business to potential clients:
- Logo: Your logo should reflect your business name and highlight what makes your business special.
- Website: Create a professional website with information about you, your services, rates, and what sets your business apart from the competition. Be sure to optimize your site for search engines, with a special focus on local SEO.
- Social Media: Who doesn’t love seeing cute pet pictures on Instagram? Engage with existing and potential customers on various social media platforms to show you care about their pets’ wellbeing.
- Local Advertising: Partnering with other local pet businesses is a win-win and a great source of new clients. You can also consider hanging flyers, placing local ads, and more.
- Referral Program: The best source of new clients often comes from your existing customers! Create a strong referral program and encourage clients to share their positive experiences with friends. Offer them discounts or account credits for each successful referral.
Build Your Brand
We’ve talked a lot about what makes your company shine and your own personal brand of “magic.” As your business opening approaches, it’s important to keep those value propositions from earlier in mind. You know what makes you special and what you can provide for your clients’ pets better than anyone else, so own it with all your might! Make sure to infuse that unique personality across all your marketing materials, including your logo, website, and any other pet-related content you share. That shining speck of magic is what will keep you top of mind and inspire clients to reach out to you.
Step 9: Opening Day!
As your grand opening approaches, make sure everything is ready for a smooth launch. Your staff should be fully trained, your systems and processes tested and operational, and your daycare facility clean, bright, and welcoming.
Consider hosting a soft launch with special guests—including friends, family, or local business partners. It’s a great way to get some practice and give people a preview of what’s to come.
Provide Exceptional Care
Once your grand opening has passed and your daycare facility is up and running, it’s essential to deliver on the promises made throughout your marketing and promotional materials. Stay focused on running a safe, happy, and clean facility where pets and their parents are treated like family. Personalize their care, get to know each pet’s needs well, and adapt your practices accordingly. By doing so, the pups will have a fantastic time with you and the other dogs, which will bring great satisfaction to their parents when they pick up their happy, tuckered-out pups at the end of the day. While there’s often the saying, “happy wife, happy life,” the same can be said of a happy dog!
Foster a Community Atmosphere
Focus on building a strong sense of community among your clients. Host events, share photos and updates on social media showcasing the fun antics the pups get up to, and encourage interaction between pet owners. This helps create a loyal client base that feels deeply connected to your business and shows that you truly appreciate their support!
Step 10: Manage Your Growth
As your client base expands and your business scales, it’s important to roll with the punches and adapt accordingly. This may mean adjusting policies, hiring additional staff, or adding new services. Whatever challenges or pain points you face, listen to your clients and ensure your business continues to provide the care experience they want for their pets.
Scale Your Business
If you’re lucky enough to see your business keep growing, many options await you as a pet care professional! You might consider expanding into a new neighborhood or adding services like pet sitting, dog walking, grooming, or training (if you don’t already offer some or all of these). The sky’s the limit, but as you take your business to new heights, don’t forget where you started and hold on to that special bit of magic that keeps your company alive.
Conclusion
Starting your own business is always an exciting endeavor, and it becomes even more rewarding when it’s built around something you’re truly passionate about. As pet care professionals, we’re incredibly lucky to make a living by spending time with amazing animals and their families. As your client base grows, so will your community—and with it, the chance to build many more meaningful connections.
Of course, you’ll face challenges along the way, as every new business does. Just remember to keep your eyes on the future and remain patient, persistent, and passionate in all you do. Hold on to the reasons why you started this journey and the pets and people who make it all worthwhile. With that inspiration and the knowledge of what makes you and your care special, you’ll keep your magic alive and achieve great things with your business!
