With so many busy dog owners as potential customers, starting a dog day care business is a tempting prospect for many dog lovers. However, starting a dog day care business is a serious prospect; you need research and planning to establish a successful one.
Location, Location, Location
As with any other business, location is vital for a dog day care business. You want some place that's easily accessible for busy dog owners. You also want a location that offers plenty of space for a reasonable price, so don't expect to start a dog day care business in the middle of a busy metropolitan area.
Industrial parks make reasonable locations for a dog day care business. You'll get plenty of space; rent typically isn't as high as in well-populated commercial areas; and the neighbors are less likely to complain about the presence of a dog day care business. You'll need to do some specific build work in your location to accommodate your dog day care business, so take this expense into consideration when you're working on your business plan.
Insurance and Licensing
You'll need to carry both business and property insurance for your dog day care business, and a reasonable liability limit is a must, in case of unforeseen circumstances. Some insurance companies shy away from covering certain types of dogs, so make sure that you're explicit with your insurance company and that you establish ground rules about the type of dogs you'll accept in your dog day care business.
Licensing varies depending on your location, but you'll need everything from a building license to customize your dog day care business to a business license for your business. Some locales also require health department licensing, and may require pesticide licensing if you offer flea dips or some other types of grooming. Check with state and local government to find out the specific licensing you'll need, but make sure you allocate funds for these aspects of your dog day care business.
Consider Dog Walking
Running a dog day care business can be expensive and complicated, so many people offer dog walking services, instead. If you're offering dog walking services, you'll want a large vehicle so you can pick up and transport multiple dogs, and you'll need a good insurance policy. Make sure you have enough liability coverage in the event of an accident or other unforeseen circumstance. This is a much more simple way to start a dog day care business, and a good way to get your foot in the door.
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