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Boarding Dog Kennels vs. Pet Sitting: Pros and Cons of Each Option Near You

When it comes to finding the best care for your furry friend while you’re away, there are two main options to consider: boarding dog kennels or pet sitting. Both options have their own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh them carefully before making a decision. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option near you.

Boarding Dog Kennels: Safety and Socialization

One of the biggest advantages of boarding dog kennels is the level of safety they provide for your pup. Most reputable kennels have secure facilities with proper fencing, surveillance cameras, and trained staff on-site 24/7. This ensures that your dog is always in a safe environment.

Additionally, boarding dog kennels offer opportunities for your furry friend to socialize with other dogs. Many kennels have playgroups or supervised group activities where dogs can interact with each other in a controlled setting. This can be beneficial for dogs who enjoy socializing and thrive in group environments.

However, there are some potential disadvantages to consider as well. Some dogs may experience anxiety or stress when placed in a new environment surrounded by unfamiliar people and other animals. Additionally, if your dog has specific dietary or medical needs, you’ll need to ensure that the boarding facility can accommodate these requirements.

Pet Sitting: Personalized Care in Familiar Surroundings

Pet sitting offers a more personalized approach to caring for your furry friend while you’re away. A pet sitter will come to your home and provide one-on-one attention to your dog according to their regular routine. This can be particularly beneficial for dogs who feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings.

Another advantage of pet sitting is that it eliminates the risk of exposure to illnesses or parasites from other animals that may be present at a boarding facility. Your pup will also receive individualized care, including feeding, exercise, and any necessary medication administration.

However, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider as well. Finding a reliable and trustworthy pet sitter can be challenging, and it’s important to thoroughly vet potential candidates before entrusting them with the care of your beloved pet. Additionally, if your dog requires constant supervision or has separation anxiety, pet sitting may not be the best option as the sitter will only be present for specific periods of time.

Cost Comparison: Boarding Dog Kennels vs. Pet Sitting

Another important factor to consider is the cost associated with boarding dog kennels versus pet sitting. The price can vary depending on factors such as location, duration of stay, additional services required (such as grooming or training), and whether you choose an in-home pet sitter or a boarding facility.

In general, boarding dog kennels tend to be more affordable for shorter stays or multiple pets since they offer shared accommodations. Pet sitting costs can add up quickly if you require overnight stays or extended periods of care.

Making the Best Choice for Your Dog

Ultimately, choosing between boarding dog kennels and pet sitting depends on your dog’s individual needs and preferences. Consider factors such as your pup’s temperament, socialization requirements, health conditions, and budget when making a decision.

If your dog thrives in social settings and enjoys being around other dogs, a boarding dog kennel may be the best choice. On the other hand, if your furry friend prefers personalized attention in familiar surroundings or has specific medical needs that require close monitoring, pet sitting might be the better option for you.

Regardless of which option you choose near you—boarding dog kennels or pet sitting—it’s crucial to do thorough research and select a reputable provider who will prioritize your furry friend’s well-being and happiness while you’re away.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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Dog Kennel Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their dog kennel businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a dog kennel business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your dog kennel business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a dog kennel business, or grow your existing dog kennel business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your dog kennel business in order to improve your chances of success. Your dog kennel business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Dog Kennel Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a dog kennel business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for dog kennel businesses.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you want to start a dog kennel business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your dog kennel business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your dog boarding business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of dog kennel business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a dog kennel business that you would like to grow, or are you operating dog kennel businesses in multiple cities?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the dog kennel industry. Discuss the type of dog kennel business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of dog kennel business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of dog kennel businesses:

• Overnight boarding : this type of dog kennel business offers overnight care for pets, including accommodation, food and exercise.
• Day care: this type of business offers daytime care for pets, typically provided for a group of dogs with playtime and socialization opportunities.
• Luxury boarding: this type of dog kennel is commonly called a “pet hotel,” and offers premium amenities such as luxury accommodations with premium bedding, TVs, pools, etc..

In addition to explaining the type of dog kennel business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the dog kennel industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the dog kennel industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your dog kennel business plan:

• How big is the dog kennel industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your dog kennel business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your pet boarding business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of dog kennel business you operate. Clearly, Millennials would respond to different marketing promotions than retirees, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most dog kennel businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other dog kennel businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes freelance pet sitters, or pet owners who opt to take their pets on trips. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other dog kennel businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be dog kennels located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of pets do they accept?
• What tiers of services do they offer?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide better accommodation or unique services?
• Will you accept pets that your competitors don’t accept?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a dog kennel business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of dog kennel company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to dog kennel, will you provide training, grooming, or any other services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the products and services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your dog kennel company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your dog kennel located on a large property with plenty of outdoor space, or is it centrally located in a neighborhood, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your dog kennel marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your dog kennel business, including cleaning crates, feeding animals, walking animals, supervising playtime, administering medications, etc..

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to board your 100 th dog, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your dog kennel business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your dog kennel business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing dog kennel businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing kennels or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you board 20 pets at a time, or 50? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your dog kennel business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a dog kennel business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your location lease or blueprints of the kennel layout.  

Putting together a business plan for your dog kennel business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, starting a kennel business plan will be quick and easy. You will really understand the dog kennel industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful dog kennel business.  

Dog Kennel Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my dog kennel business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Dog Kennel Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of dog kennel business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a dog kennel business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of dog kennel businesses?

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Dog Kennel business plan?

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Dog Kennel Business Plan

From taking care of dogs that are owned by people to breeding dogs for giving away as pets, dog kennels do it all. And if you are fond of dogs and would like to make taking care of them your profession, then a dog kennel business might be a good choice for you.

Pets can act as your best friends, hence dog owners want to give back the best possible to their furry friends. And with busy schedules, people turn to dog kennels to help them look after their pets.

If you are planning to start a new dog kennel business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample dog kennel business plan  to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new dog kennel business, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of  pet-related business plans.

Industry Overview

The global pet care market stood at a massive value of 131.70 billion dollars in 2016 and has grown steadily ever since, thanks to the growing pet adoption and love for them amongst people.

As single-family homes have grown in number, people find friends and companions in their pets. And with the increase in disposable income, people want to give the best care to their pets in every way possible. Thus, it explains the massive size and growth rate of the pet care industry.

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Things to Consider Before Writing a Dog Kennel Business Plan

Know your target audience.

Centering your services around your target audience goes a long way. And for that, you’ll need to know all the relevant things about your target audience. Try to find out what are their expectations, what they look for in a pet care service, what are their challenges, how can you meet their expectations in a way that’s good for your business too, etc.

Choose a legal structure

Your legal structure decides several aspects of your business and if you choose the right structure it helps you stay away from unnecessary legal hassles too. And it might seem intimidating, but choosing the right legal structure isn’t all that difficult.

Pick the right location and a memorable name

Build your social media presence, chalking out your business plan.

If you want to start a dog kennel business, all you’ll need are a few skills, some tips, and a dog kennel business plan.

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample dog kennel business plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect dog kennel business plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Dog Kennel Business Plan Outline

This is the standard business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Products and Services
• Mission Statement
• Customer Focus
• Keys to Success
• 3 Year profit forecast
• Startup cost
• Product and Service Description
• Market Trends
• Market Growth
• Service Business Analysis
• Sales Strategy
• Publications
• Pricing Strategy
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample dog kennel business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your dog kennel business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Download a sample dog kennel business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free dog kennel business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your dog kennel business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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About the Author

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Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Dog Kennel Business Plan

MAR.02, 2021

Do you want to start dog kennel business plan?

Do you want to start a dog kennel business? Well, the business is quite profitable because many people cannot provide the required care and maintenance to their pet animals. Primarily due to their busy routines. A dog kennel provides shelter, space, and professional care to pet dogs for a short and long time.

While the business is profitable, it is extremely demanding too. To make sure that your startup becomes your success, you’ll have to manage the land, resources, and finances to the full.

If you are looking for how to open dog kennels business you are on the right site. In this blog we will be providing all the details and business plan for dog kennel startup, Jake’s Kennel Club.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Jake’s Kennel Club will be a dog kennel facility based in Detroit. The registered, licensed and insured business will aim at providing all the services relevant to dog care and maintenance. To assist people who might not be able to take care of their dogs for any reason, we will provide a wide range of services from bathing their dogs to letting them exercise.

2.2 Management of Dog Kennel Business

Management of a dog kennel is not an easy task. When you are searching for how to set up a dog boarding business you must keep in mind that you’ll require to hire persons who are specialized in dog care and training. Moreover, you will be needing some vets, a lot of cleaners, and resource and finance management staff for starting a dog boarding business at home or any commercial building.

In this blog on how to start your own dog boarding business plan , we’ll provide all details of the personnel plan, financial plan, and all management-related strategies of Jake’s Kennel Club.

2.3 Customers of Dog Kennel Business

Our major customers will be adults and youngsters who cannot afford to care for their pets due to their job routines. Children and teens and senior citizens will also be availing of our services frequently.

2.4 Business Target

Our major targets are:

• To achieve a repeat purchase rate of 90% by the end of the first six months.
• To maintain a CSAT score of above 95% throughout our service years.
• To earn a net profit margin of $26.7k per month by the end of the third year.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Jake’s Kennel Club will be started by Jake Frost. Jake is an MBA with an extreme passion for pet care. Throughout his life, he has kept several animals just because he loves helping nature.

3.2 Why the dog kennel business is being started

Jake wanted to start some different and newer sort of business. After analyzing his passion and interests he decided to start a dog kennel. The major reason behind this decision was his passion. He wanted to earn by doing what he loved the most.

3.3 How the dog kennel business will be started

Step1: Plan Everything

The first step is to study dog kennel business plan examples to understand what others are doing in this business domain. After analyzing several running a dog kennel business plans you should start developing a business plan for your startup. To help you in identifying the major components of a business plan, we are providing dog kennel business plan sample for Jake’s Kennel Club, free of cost.

Step2: Define the Brand

The second step is to acquire the licenses and registration and start working on defining the company’s values, targets, customer care policies, and services. Through these things, your customers will know who you are and how you are different than your competitors.

Step3: Establish Physical and Web Presence

The next you have to do is establishing your dog kennel. For that, you will have to recondition your land for providing activities, sleeping, and bathing spaces for dogs.

Moreover, to let your customers have an insight into your care and maintenance operations, you should launch your website. Through that, you will also be able to get online orders and payments.

Step4: Promote and Market

The last thing to finalize your launch is to develop and execute your sales strategy. It is only through influencing advertising that you will be able to attract more and more customers to your site.

By owning a dog kennel business you have the freedom to decide on any type of services. You may choose to provide general pet sitting services and you can also offer the services for just dog breeds.

Jake decided to offer services specifically restricted to just dogs. The services he’ll offer are listed here in this dog kennel business plan template.

• Dog Daycare & Grooming: Our primary service will be providing a daycare facility for dogs. This service will last for 6 to 15 hours a day, according to the clients’ requirements. In this, we’ll be responsible for feeding, grooming, cleaning, and engaging your dog till the time you’re busy with other tasks. This service will include
• Dog Grooming
• Dog Walking Business
• Dog Cleaning/ Washing/ Bathing
• Dog Feeding
• Dog Training: We’ll also provide dog training services business . In this, we’ll train your newly petted dogs to make them behave as you want.
• Dog Boarding Service: In this service, we’ll provide dog daycare service on a long-term basis with night care and sleeping arrangements incorporated too. We will offer several packages for full-time dog care for multiple days to several weeks and months.
• Dog Shuttle Service: To facilitate our customers we will offer dog shuttle services. In this, we will provide pick and drop services to their dogs. So that they don’t have to come to us to pick their pet animals.

Marketing Analysis of Dog Kennel Business

Marketing analysis is a must before you set up dog kennel business plan. In marketing analysis, you study the target marketplace to identify previous ups and downs and forecasted market analytics. Moreover, this analysis helps you in identifying your customers so that you can also set a pricing strategy that meets their needs and incomes.

In this blog on how to write a business plan for a dog kennel, we are providing marketing analysis done for Jake’s Kennel Club, free of cost.

5.1 Market Trends

Dog kennel businesses are high in demand and will remain in demand for the next five to ten years. According to IBISWorld, over 139k pet grooming and boarding businesses are running in the United States. In the past five years i.e. from 2016 to 2021, this industry has seen a growth rate of 1.9%. And the business is expected to grow by 23.4% in the U.S. in 2021 alone. Moreover, the U.S. market size of this business is estimated to be $8.8 billion in 2021 by the same source.

All these stats suggest that there are minimum risks of failure if you enter this venture. Therefore, you should not unnecessarily delay the launch anymore.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

Before you make a business plan for starting a dog kennel, you should explore the groups of your target customers. In-depth knowledge of your customers, their average incomes, buying capabilities, and interests help you in estimating sales. Through that, you can figure out how much to spend on your startup on a particular service while considering it from a sales point of view.

In this business plan for opening a dog kennel we’re providing the marketing segmentation done for Jake’s Kennel Club. By studying this you can have an idea of who is most likely to avail of your services.

5.2.1 Working Class

Our primary customers will be the adults and youngsters who have to go for their 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs. Such people can never meet the needs of their pet animals whether they are hygienic or care-related.

To help this group, we’ll take care of their dogs for a specified time every day. In our dog daycare business plan , their dogs will be groomed and fed. Moreover, they will be involved in games, and exercising activities.

5.2.2 Senior Citizens

The second group of our target customers will comprise the senior citizens living in our city. Senior people usually keep pets but find it very hard to train or groom their pets themselves – that too daily. Therefore, we will do this difficult task for them.

5.2.3 Children & Teens

Our last group of customers will be the children and teens who are fond of keeping pets. But are too irresponsible to take good care of them. Thus, they are expected to bring their dogs to us for training, grooming, and washing them.

5.3 Business Target

Very professional.

Very professional and efficient services. Highly recommended.

Our business targets are to attain a net promoter score above 60 within a year of our launch. Moreover, we aim at achieving a repeat purchase rate of 90% by the end of the first six months. And to ensure a customer satisfaction score of above 95% throughout our service years.

5.4 Product Pricing

Our prices are almost the same as that of our competitors. Moreover, due to our highly customer-oriented policies, we have priced our shuttle services at the lowest rate in the whole market. To retain our potential customers, we’ll also be providing several discounts to our repeat clients.

Marketing Strategy

After establishing your business, you should start exploring dog kennel ideas plans to figure out the most suitable advertisement strategy. In this dog kennel business plan pdf we are providing the sales strategy for Jake’s Kennel Club to help you in developing yours.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

Our competitive benefits are listed below:

• We are highly customer care oriented. To satisfy our customers we’ll allow them to monitor their pets at any time through a video call, or our mobile app.
• Our prices for dog shuttle services are the lowest among all of our competitors.
• Our workers are highly collaborative and loving. They will treat your animals with utmost care and love.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We’ll run a social media campaign emphasizing how we can help people taking care of their animals.
• We’ll advertise our startup through Google Local ads service, local magazines, local newspapers, and by installing posters.
• We’ll offer a 50% discount on dog daycare services for the first month of our launch.
• We’ll provide a 30% discount on our dog training services for the first two months.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

While you write business plan dog kennel you should also prepare a list of employees you’ll need to run your business. A good strategy for business is to also include their job descriptions and average salaries so that you can plan all aspects relevant to them.

7.1 Company Staff

Jake will be the CEO herself. For his assistance, he’ll hire:

• 1 Co-Manager to monitor business operations
• 1 Accountant to maintain financial records
• 1 Dog Playground Supervisor to supervise dogs’ activities
• 2 Pet Behavioral Trainers to train dogs
• 4 Dog Groomers to ensure the dogs are clean and tidy
• 2 General Dog Care Workers to take care of dogs’ health and food intake
• 1 General Assistant
• 1 Web Developer to manage the online presence
• 1 Sales Executive to execute the sales strategy
• 2 Cleaners to clean the facility
• 1 Driver to provide shuttle service

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

Setting up your business doesn’t ensure long-term success unless you have an accurate financial plan. The importance of a financial plan can never be ignored no matter how small your business is. When you are creating a business plan for a dog kennel you must include a detailed financial plan in it.

A comprehensive financial plan should contain break-even analysis, projected profit and loss tables, gross margin charts, cash flow table, and balance sheet. These analytics can help you understand how to minimize or avoid loss. Moreover, they can also help you proactively manage risks and unexpected situations.

For reference, we’re providing the financial plan developed for Jake’s Kennel Club here.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

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Dog Kennel Business Plan

Start your own dog kennel business plan

The Creature Nannie

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

The Creature Nannie is a doggie foster family arrangement in Sara Sloth’s home. When customers leave their dog at the Sloth’s home it is surrounded by people all day, has its own bed, is taken for walks twice a day, and has a one acre fenced-in backyard to explore. The Creature Nannie is a superior alternative to a kennel because the dogs get attention all day, have plush facilities, and have ample opportunities to exercise. The guest dogs can even sleep in the children’s rooms (in the bed under the sheets if they choose). Basically, the dogs become a temporary member of the household. The Creature Nannie is able to offer this specialized attention because they are equiped to handle only four dogs at a time.

The Creature Nannie will compete directly with kennels but offer a superior service. Once word gets out about The Creature Nannie, the schedule is forecasted to be near capacity within the first eight months. The Creature Nannie will reach profitability very quickly and will generate revenues of $18,000 by year three.

1.1 Objectives

The objectives for the first three years of operation include:

• To create a service-based company whose goal is to exceed customer’s expectations.
• To increase the number of clients by 20% per year through superior performance and word-of-mouth referrals.
• To develop a sustainable home business surviving off its own cash flow. 

1.2 Mission

The Creature Nannie’s mission is to provide the customer with the finest foster care service for their canine companion.  We exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.

1.3 Keys to Success

The Creature Nannie’s key to success is building a loyal and vocal customer base.

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How to Make a Business Plan for Running a Dog Kennel

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How to Run & Operate a Grooming Business

How to write a business plan for a salon, how to make a haunted house business plan.

• How to Start a Barbeque Business
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If you love dogs and want to dedicate yourself to their care, you may enjoy running a dog kennel. Unfortunately, merely loving animals in and of itself will not ensure success; you must do your research and map out your strategy before you take a single dog into your care. An important tool to get you started is a business plan.

A business plan is a required element of any successful venture. It is the guide that will outline the goals, direction and vision for your kennel. A comprehensive plan should focus on the services you want to provide, such as overnight care, daycare, training or grooming. Unless you have a nest egg set aside, you may need funds from outside sources, and a good business plan will give a bank or investors the tools they need to analyze your business. To help you along, your business plan should state how your proposed kennel will be marketed to the public and how it will become profitable through your projected cash-flow statement.

Begin your business plan by stating your reason for starting the dog kennel. Ideally, you have a deep love of animals and are dedicated to their welfare; this is important for potential customers to know about you. Write about how your vision is to create a safe and loving place where dogs have ample room to exercise, sleep, socialize or be groomed. Include how you will provide specialized attention to dogs while their owners are away. Add an executive summary that states your qualifications, credentials and dog-related accomplishments.

Financial Forecast

A good portion of your marketing plan should be related to how much seed money you will need to get going and how you intend to repay it. Be realistic about your projected cash flow, as it may take many months for your business to grow. Begin by listing your salary and expenses; indicate that you will open business checking and savings accounts. List credit cards that you will use for equipment, office furniture and kennel supplies. List the actual equipment you will need to open the kennel, such as fencing, crates, flooring and sanitation.

Marketing, Promotions and Advertising

After you have completed market research to determine the demographics and market for your business -- like how many dog owners are in your city -- you should include these statistics in your business plan. Outline your past and future marketing efforts, and include your pricing and media strategy. If you plan to offer promotions, such as one free night of boarding with three paid nights, or offer coupons to your new customers, put your ideas in this section. Your kennel will require advertising and publicity strategies. List your plans for creating and placing ads in local newspapers, the Internet or pet-care magazines.

• "Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business"; Fred S. Steingold
• Bplans: Dog Kennel Business Plan
• "Powerhouse Marketing Plans"; Winslow Johnson

Elle Smith has been an advertising professional for more than 25 years. Her work for ABC, CBS and Sony Pictures Television has appeared on radio, on air, in print and outdoors. In addition, Smith has more than 20 years experience in marketing, graphic arts, commercial photography and print production, and is a licensed real estate agent with property management certification in California.

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How to Write a Dog Kennel Business Plan

You want to start a dog boarding company because you adore dogs but are unsure where to start. However, having a love for dogs is insufficient to operate a profitable dog daycare business. To successfully turn your hobby into a thriving business, you must learn how to create a strong dog boarding business plan.

All new businesses must have a solid business plan, which is also the most effective way to attract investors. You must conduct a study and develop a sound plan before considering taking in a single dog. This plan will serve as a road map for achieving your objectives and realizing your vision.

What Is A Business Plan for A Dog Kennel?

Any venture that succeeds must have a business plan. The manual will outline the objectives, course, and vision of your kennel business. The services you wish to offer, including overnight care, daycare, grooming, and training, should be the main emphasis of a thorough plan.

Why Is a Business Strategy for a Dog Kennel Crucial?

A crucial first step in launching a new business is to write a dog kennel business plan. Without a plan, figuring out how to start, where to obtain finance, and how to make a profit may be challenging. A business plan outlines your goals and vision for your company. Moreover, it defines the required resources and prepares for potential dangers.

It will also assist you in choosing your target audience, service offerings, and pricing strategy. A business plan can also help you win the confidence of possible investors and partners.Italso makes your long-term objectives and dedication to success clear to them. Statistics show that until 2027, the global market for pet services will rise at a 6% annual rate.

You need a profitable dog kennel business plan to compare it with your competition. Moreover, it also ensures you follow the right path to success.

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Would You Consider Opening A Dog Kennel?

The fact that so many individuals struggle to care for and maintain their pet animals explains why the company is so successful. A dog kennel offers companion canines temporary and permanent shelter, space, and specialized care.

Despite being profitable, the company is also very demanding. You’ll need to use adequate land, resource, and financial management to ensure your firm succeeds. You’ve come to the perfect place if you want to figure out how to start a dog kennel business. This blog will give you all the information and the initial business plan for a successful dog kennel.

What Factors Should You Consider When Writing A Dog Boarding Business Plan?

Writing a dog kennel business plan may be challenging. Therefore, here are some crucial factors to consider before writing one. You don’t need a dog kennel business plan template.

Write Out the Services You’ll Provide

Dog boarding facilitiesprovide many services, including grooming and medical assistance. Numerous facilities also have pet play areas. So, defining what services you will provide in advance is crucial.

Your ability to distinguish yourself from your competitors will depend on the range of services you provide. Listening to your pet owners’ advice for their required services is an excellent idea. This will help you establish yourself as their one-stop shop.

Locate Staff and People with Training

Managing and grooming multiple pets at once might be challenging if you don’t have access to qualified trainers. A trained team will help you win your potential customers’ trust by demonstrating that their dogs are in skilled care. As a result, be careful to employ competent and effective personnel.

Determine Your Service Pricing

You can choose from various pricing options, including competitive, monthly, and annual. Also, you might have package deals that provide additional services in addition to the main boarding facility.

Any organization must have the proper pricing strategy, including accepting payments through credit cards. It assists you in making earnings, setting reasonable pricing, and providing dog owners to pay for the service quickly.

Locate the Best Area for Your Services

When choosing the site, consider several aspects, including arena size, accessibility, and visibility. Many individuals are busy and prefer not to leave their dogs in a remote location daily. Also, having a tiny space can make it less profitable, as pets typically want to play in open spaces.

Decide on an attractive theme and decorto improve the aesthetics of your space and make your business stand out. You also need to think about a legal structure for your business – would it be a partnership or an LLC?

How to Write A Dog Kennel Business Plan?

It can be challenging to create a business strategy for a dog kennel. The location, competition, target customer, and financial elements are just a few factors you must consider when running a firm. Here are some essential dog kennel business plan components to help with the process. The following are the critical elements that will help you write a business plan for a dog kennel:

Executive Summary

An executive summary aims to give the readers a brief overview of your kennel business. It also helps your investors to decide whether your plan is worthwhile.

It’s crucial to ensure your executive summary provides a thorough outline of your kennel business while being concise and intriguing. By doing this, you can be confident that the financiers will show interest. Furthermore, they willbe more open to investing in your company plan.

Company Description

You should introduce your company in this section of the business plan. Provide a general summary of the kennel in this area, including its location, services provided, and contact details. Don’t forget to mention the owner, any employees, and the owner’s background and credentials.

This section must include the kennel’s legal standing and immediate and long-term objectives.Moreover, Include a brief market report to show that your company knows the current developments in the pet care sector. Also, this section must focus on why your kennel will succeed in this market.

An Overview of Marketing Plan and Advertising

Once your market research and demographics are complete, you must include facts and figures in your dog kennel business plan. Analyze the market for nearby facilities comparable to yours.If you discover that they have failed, explain what your company will do differently.

In this part, you’ll outline your plan to ensure the success of your business. It includes detailed information, such as your price, media strategy, and upcoming marketing strategy.

When describing your plan to market your company, be as specific as you can. Do more than post flyers. Describe the location of your hangings.

You’ll need PR for your boarding operation and an advertising plan. Provide a list of strategies for any ads you want to place in pet-care publications, online, or in regional publications. Share details about how you intend to carry out your strategic vision. Put your ideas here if you want to give discounts and promotions to new clients.

Make sure to describe your services in detail. It can apply to boarding, bathing, grooming, and daycare services. Depending on the kind of kennel you manage, offering other services, including training and transport, maybe something you want to consider.

Ensure that you also consider the fees related to each service. When fixing a price, you must ensure that the prices you charge are sufficient to cover the expenses of your company’s services.

Also, it’s crucial to guarantee the safety and comfort of the animals in your care while providing your services. Therefore, you must consider the kennel’s size, style, and environmental protection. Describe your emergency response rules and processes.

Fees and Legalities

When your market research is complete, you must clearly understand the prices other boarding houses in your neighborhood charge. Remember that you cannot offer the same prices as your competitors since you lack their reputation or experience.

However, you can charge more for your assistance if you provide a service that no other business in your neighborhood does. Also, you can charge more for customized services or a well-trained, accredited team.

Financial Plan

Starting your business without a precise financial plan does not guarantee long-term success. No matter how little your business is, it is always essential to have a financial plan. Including a thorough financial plan in your business plan is crucial when starting a dog kennel.

A financial plan includes business analysis, gross margin charts, predicted profit and loss tables, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.  You can learn ways to reduce or prevent loss with these insights. Additionally, they can support you in managing risks and unforeseen circumstances proactively.

The Bottom Line

Once you have finished writing your business plan, you may seek investors and create your company. Developing a dog kennel business plan for your dog boarding operation will help you in the future, even if you don’t need investment. You’ll experience fewer surprises as you start to establish and operate your business if you give your preparation more time. Your proposal will appear better to investors if it is more comprehensive. Make a solid first impression with your business by considering your business strategy as its representative.

Are you ready to turn your passion for dogs into a profitable business? Whether you’re an experienced breeder, trainer, or simply a dog lover with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a dog kennel can be a rewarding and lucrative venture. But where do you start?

At Synvest Capital, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs like you turn their ideas into successful businesses. Our team of expert writers can create a customized business plan that will guide you through every step of the process, from market research and financial projections to marketing strategies and operations.

Don’t let your dream of owning a dog kennel remain just that – a dream. Contact us today to learn more about our business plan writing services, and let’s make your vision a reality.

• Business Plans
• Entrepreneurship
• Raising Capital

Setting up a Dog Kennel Business

All you need to know about starting and running your business.

In this article

What is a Dog Kennel Business?

The UK is a nation of dog lovers, with approximately 33% of households having a pet dog. This amounts to more than 12.5 million pet dogs across the country.

Many people consider dogs to be treasured members of their families. When people go on holiday, are admitted to hospital, or are unable to take care of their dog for a short time, it is, therefore, no surprise that they want their pet to have the best possible care while they are away.

A dog kennel is a professional, licensed establishment run by trained staff that offers a safe environment for your dog. A kennel can care for your dog for a few hours or even a few weeks.

A dog kennel business usually looks after multiple dogs at one time. The dogs will usually be housed in their own individual area, although some kennel businesses choose to house the dogs all together.

A dog kennel business may also offer:

• An indoor and outdoor pen.
• An exercise area.
• A grooming service.
• Insulated and heated sleeping areas.
• A covered outdoor area.

A dog kennel business does not merely provide a safe space for the dogs to sleep, but it should also provide them with daily interactions and exercise, such as walks or playtime.

The individual kennel area that the dogs stay in should have their food and water bowls, a bed and bedding, and toys for the dog to play with. Many kennel businesses allow dog owners to bring their dogs’ favourite items from their homes to make them more comfortable and settled in the kennels.

Depending on your facilities and the staff you have available, you may also offer boarding for dogs with health ailments. You will need to ensure your staff are trained in the dog’s condition and that the owner provides any necessary medication and supplies.

You can choose to set up:

• A standard dog kennel.
• A luxury kennel.
• A doggy hotel.
• Kennels that also cater for cats and other small animals.

As so many people across the UK are such huge pet lovers, kennel businesses continue to be in high demand. This can make it more achievable that your kennel business will be both successful and financially rewarding.

If you are an animal lover who has experience caring for dogs, starting up a dog kennel business could be a great option for you. Running a kennel business can be time-consuming and requires commitment, meaning it is best suited to those who are passionate about animals and their care.

Types of Customers

When considering the types of customers you will target, the most obvious answer is pet owners. However, different types of dog kennels attract different types of pet owners.

Identifying your target market is an important aspect of creating your business plan and identifying your customer base.

• Budget Market – A budget kennel will attract customers who are looking to spend the least amount of money. You will likely have fewer facilities, a smaller outdoor space, and no special extras available. The budget market is less popular than it once was, as many pet owners want their dogs to have the best possible treatment. However, if you offer a safe and comfortable service for a lower price, you are still likely to attract customers from the budget market.
• Mid-Market – Mid-market kennels will likely have larger premises with better facilities. You may also offer outdoor areas that are appealing to customers. Some mid-market kennels will also offer some extra services and better equipment that encourage customers to spend a little bit extra.
• Luxury – A luxury kennel business is comparable to a five-star dog hotel. A luxury business may offer spa treatments such as doggy pedicures, premium facilities, toys, accessories, food, services and luxury sleeping areas. They may also have more staff, so the dogs get extra time and attention.

When deciding the type of dog kennel you are going to open and your target customer base, ensure you consider the types of dog owners that live in your area, how much they are likely to spend, and your local competition.

Equipment You Will Need

Your dog kennel business will have many different equipment requirements. Below is a list of general equipment you are likely to need. If you set up a specialist kennel business or a luxury business, you may need to purchase additional equipment.

This is one of the main things you will need to invest in when starting up a dog kennel business. The kennels will be used for sleeping and eating and some dogs may choose to spend the majority of their time in their kennel. You may choose different sized kennels for different dog breeds or choose to have identical kennels. You can also choose whether to have kennels or cabins. The price can vary significantly from £3,000 to £10,000 for 10 kennels or cabins.

A CCTV system

This helps dog owners to feel more secure and comfortable leaving their dogs at your kennel. A CCTV system can cost between £300 and £5,000 depending on the specification of the equipment, how many cameras you require, and the installation costs.

Room dividers

Mobile room dividers allow you to keep groups of dogs separate if needed. If you have a communal area for dogs to play or socialise, room dividers can help you to monitor playtime more easily or separate the room into different sections. A room divider can be purchased for as little as £70, depending on the size and material of the divider.

A deep sink or washing area

You will need to install a deep sink or washing area that allows you to wash a lot of equipment at one time. This will help you to save time overall.

A washing machine and dryer

You will have to supply beds, bedding, blankets, and even soft toys for the dogs you care for. You will need to wash these items every time a dog finishes their stay with you, so having a large reliable washing machine and dryer is recommended. Prices can range from £500 to £3,000.

Air purifier

This helps to keep your kennels fresh and hygienic. It can also prevent the kennels from smelling bad, which is a common problem with dogs. An air purification system can cost between £300 and £2,000 depending on the specification.

Air conditioning and dehumidifier

Air conditioning can help you to keep the kennels at a safe temperature and a dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from the air. This can help you to keep your premises safe and hygienic.

A van or other vehicle

If you offer a collection or drop-off service as part of your business, you will need a van or other vehicle. Your vehicle will need to have space to safely transport dogs, for example, by having a crate or boot gate in the back, or space for a pet carrier. The cost of a vehicle can vary, depending on whether it is new or used, and the make and model of the vehicle.

A dog first aid kit

A pet first aid kit allows you to provide pre-vet first aid if one of the dogs in your care is injured or ill. Your first aid kit should contain essential items such as sting relief, alcohol pads, adhesives for cuts and wounds, a rubber tourniquet, bandages of different sizes and tape. You can buy a first aid kit already prepared for approximately £25.

A human first aid kit

This is also essential in case an employee or visitor to your kennel becomes injured. For more information on what is required in a first aid kit, consult our knowledge base . A first aid kit can be purchased for as little as £12.

Cleaning materials

Some of the cleaning supplies you may require include a sweeping brush, a mop and bucket, kennel cleaner, bleach, window cleaner, sanitiser, cloths, sponges and other cleaning supplies. You should also supply hand sanitiser and handwashing facilities for staff and any visitors to your business.

A phone with a good camera

Many dog owners will want regular updates on their pets while they are away. You can send daily updates and take photos of the dogs and send them to the owners. This offers peace of mind and is a service that many dog owners will appreciate. A camera phone can cost between £100 and £1,000, depending on the make and specification.

A laptop or desktop computer

This can be used for making appointments, tracking your business accounts and marketing and advertising. You can expect to spend at least £400 on a quality device.

Other equipment requirements

There are several other equipment requirements your dog grooming business may have, including:

• Dog beds, bedding and blankets.
• Dog toys and balls.
• A till and POS (Point of Sales) system.
• A bin with a closed lid.
• Food and water bowls (for each individual kennel).
• Dog towels.
• Dog cleaning and maintenance items.

Typical Pricing

When you create your business plan, you will need to create a budget including the typical start-up costs and running costs associated with your dog kennel business.

Some essential items you may need include:

Your premises will be your most expensive expenditure. You will need a site that is in a good location, preferably away from residential areas so that you don’t receive any noise complaints. You will also need to make sure you have a good outdoor area for the dogs to exercise and play, and plenty of space to build the kennels. The cost of your site can vary significantly, depending on the location, square footage, and existing infrastructure.

As the list above shows, your dog kennel business will require a large amount of equipment. You can expect to spend between £5,000 and £50,000 on equipment.

Replacing or maintaining equipment

This is an ongoing cost you will need to factor into your budget. You may need to maintain or repair equipment frequently and if your equipment is no longer functional, you will need to pay to replace it. As your doggy guests may bite or chew your equipment and it is likely to be heavily used, you may have to repair or replace equipment more often.

Creating your brand identity can include creating your business’s visual identity, a logo, business name, your business website and creating your brand message. You can hire a professional to help you with branding or do some of the work yourself. Branding can cost between £500 and £10,000.

Advertising and marketing

Advertising for your business may seem costly, however, it is an important expenditure for ensuring the success of your dog kennel business, especially when your business is in its first year of operation. It is recommended that you spend no more than 10% of your annual revenue on advertising costs. For example, if your annual revenue is £70,000, your maximum advertising costs should be £7,000. It can be more difficult to plan your advertising strategy in the first year when you don’t yet know your annual revenue.

Running costs

Running costs are the costs associated with running your dog kennel business. Most of these costs will be paid monthly, although some will be paid quarterly or annually. Your running costs could include your overhead costs such as electricity, gas, water, petrol and council tax.

As a dog kennel business operates 24 hours a day, you will need to employ staff. When calculating the costs associated with employing staff you should consider the number of staff and their hourly wage. You will also need to account for holiday pay, sick pay and maternity/paternity pay.

A dog kennel business will have several insurance requirements including Employers’ Liability Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, Professional Indemnity, Care, Custody and Control of Animals Coverage, Custodial Responsibility, Property Damage, and Building and Contents Insurance. Insurance costs can range from £10 to £150 a month depending on your insurance provider and the level of coverage.

Typical Pricing for Customers

On average, dog kennel businesses typically charge between £15 and £25 per day

However, this price can vary based on several factors:

• Your location – Middle-class and upper-class areas will likely have dog owners who are willing to pay higher prices for your service. If you are located in the centre of a big city, such as London, you may also charge higher prices.
• How many dogs you are boarding at the kennel – You may offer a discount for customers who are boarding multiple pets at the same time.
• How long the booking is for – You may offer a discount if customers book longer stays or multiple stays at one time.
• The time of year – Certain times of the year, such as Christmas and the Summer months, are considered as peak times. This could mean you charge higher prices, compared to other times of the year.
• Whether optional extras are provided – If you provide extra services such as food, grooming, extra care or the administering of medication, you can charge higher prices. You may also offer a service where you collect and return the dog to the owner’s home.

Your typical pricing will also depend on your target market. For example, if you are targeting the luxury market your prices are likely to be higher.

Safely Running a Dog Kennel Business

Safely running your dog kennel business will be one of your top considerations. It will help you to ensure the health and safety of the animals, your staff, and any visitors to your business.

Some safety considerations you should make include:

Consider your vaccination requirements

To ensure the safety of all the dogs in your care, it is recommended that you check the vaccination status of all the dogs who enter your kennel. You may ask dog owners to provide paper or electronic proof that their dogs are up to date with all vaccines. Taking a copy of the dogs’ vaccination statuses or asking clients to sign a document can help to protect your business if an outbreak does happen.

Flea and tick prevention

To prevent an outbreak of fleas, ticks or lice in your kennel, ensure all the dogs are up to date with their flea and tick treatments. You could request proof that the dogs are up to date in their treatment, or request that the owners treat their dogs before they bring them to the kennels.

Ensure you have the correct staff ratio

Having the correct staff to dog ratio can help to protect both the animals and staff and ensure safety procedures are followed at all times. Having an incorrect ratio can also make it difficult for staff to deal with emergency situations. A staff ratio of 1:5 is recommended.

Employ staff with relevant training or qualifications

Although this is not a legal requirement, it is recommended to ensure the health and safety of the dogs. Having qualified staff can also help you to attract customers and improve your rating on your Boarding for Cats or Dogs Licence.

Have a vet on call

As you will be working with so many animals, it is inevitable that you will be dealing with health issues, illnesses or injuries at some point. Having a local vet that you are connected with can be extremely beneficial and help you run your business more safely. You can call this vet if you have any questions or concerns and arrange appointments if necessary. You could also arrange for the vet to make visits to your premises if an animal requires it.

Conduct risk assessments

Risk assessments should be carried out before starting up a dog kennel business and at any other time you require them. If your business has five or more employees, risk assessments are a legal requirement. Your risk assessments could refer to any manual handling activities and risks associated with having physical contact with the dogs.

Implement cleaning procedures

Having effective cleaning procedures is essential for your business. A cleaning schedule and cleaning policies should be in place that cover the cleaning of equipment, surfaces, sleeping areas, beds, and food preparation and storage areas. You should also implement handwashing procedures for staff and visitors.

Ensure you have fully stocked first aid kits

You will need a fully stocked first aid kit for dogs and a separate one for humans. The first aid kits should be checked and replenished regularly and be easily accessible for all staff.

Ensure the security of your doggy guests

This is essential for safely running your dog kennel business. There are several ways you can secure your facility including installing a CCTV system and locking the kennels and premises securely.

Correctly label food and treats

Dogs have allergies and intolerances as well as people. Ensuring any food or treats are correctly labelled with the ingredients and allergen information is important for protecting the health and safety of the dogs.

Legal Requirements

There are certain legal requirements you must ensure you comply with when setting up and running your dog kennel business.

Apply for a Boarding for Cats or Dogs Licence

You will need to apply for this licence before your dog kennel business begins operating. Before you are granted a licence, your premises will be inspected by someone from your local council. They will check the suitability of the accommodation, the food, drink and bedding, whether the animals are protected, visited and exercised, and whether staff are trained to look after animals. Your local council will grant you either a one-, two-, or three-year licence. They will also determine the cost. As part of your inspection, you will be granted a star rating between 1 and 5 stars.

Apply for planning permission

If you need to build a main building, erect kennels or make any changes to existing infrastructure, you will likely need to apply for planning permission. To apply for planning permission, you will need to contact your local planning authority (LPA) via your local council.

Display your licence number and licence

Your licence needs to be clearly displayed on your premises and your licence number must be displayed on any advertising. You should also display your star rating for customers to see.

Ensure your paperwork and records are in order

If these are not in order, your licence application may be declined, or you may have your licence revoked. You should keep up-to-date records of your clients, the cleaning schedules, risk assessments, health and safety policies, temperature checks in the kennels, and health records.

Implement health and safety policies

This is legally required for all businesses in the UK. You should have policies in place that protect the animals, staff and any visitors to your business. If you have five or more employees, your health and safety policies should be recorded. Your policies should also include fire safety procedures and emergency procedures.

Register as self-employed with HMRC

Running a dog kennel business as an individual or as a self-employed person requires you to register with HMRC. You will need to register your business name and keep records of all your income, profits and expenses.

Purchase insurance

Certain types of insurance will be legally required, whereas others are only recommended. Contact your local council to enquire which insurance types you must have before starting up a dog kennel business.

Comply with employment legislation

As you will be employing staff, you must ensure you follow employment legislation. You must comply with legislation relating to recruitment, working hours, pay, sickness, discrimination, dismissals, and maternity or paternity pay.

Apply for a Notification to Process Personal Data Licence

You can apply for this licence with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) . If your kennels have a CCTV system or process personal information such as payroll information or accounts and records, you will need to apply for a licence with the ICO and renew your registration every year.

Positives of Owning a Dog Kennel Business

Running a dog kennel business is rewarding in many ways. Some of the biggest positives of owning a dog kennel business include:

You can spend your days with dogs

Many animal lovers will think of this as their dream job. You can spend your days walking and feeding them, playing with them and getting lots of doggy attention. Animals, and especially dogs, are considered to be therapeutic and spending time with them can have emotional and health benefits.

High customer retention

Once many dog owners find a kennel that they know and trust and their dog is comfortable in, they are highly unlikely to change to a different one. You will likely get return custom and even client recommendations.

Pick and choose who you want to work with

As the business owner, you will be responsible for hiring employees. You can choose to hire staff that you think will be beneficial to your business, genuinely care about animals, and will work well in your team. You hopefully won’t have to worry about dealing with bad co-workers ever again.

Control your own workload

Once your business is established and you have hired employees, you can begin to control your own workload. You can choose to work as little or as often as you like and also decide whether you want to take a hands-on or hands-off approach.

Unlimited income potential

A dog kennel business can be extremely lucrative, especially if you operate at high occupancy. You will also have the opportunity to expand your premises or open additional kennels in another location. This gives you the opportunity to earn an unlimited income.

Rewarding work

Not only can a kennel business be emotionally, mentally and financially rewarding, but it also allows you to help animals in need. Many kennels offer any extra kennel space to dogs who need shelter or provide animals in need with food, toys and bedding. Being able to help animals is a major benefit to many animal lovers.

Be involved with your local community

You will likely operate your dog kennel business in your local community. This allows you to connect with other dog lovers close to you and become an important part of the community.

Create the business you want

You can design your business exactly as you want. You can decide the type of kennel business you are going to run, the design and aesthetic, and the facilities, equipment and service that will be available. You can create your dream business, while still making money.

Negatives of Owning a Dog Kennel Business

However, there are some negative aspects of owning a dog kennel business you should be aware of:

High start-up costs

You will need to purchase or rent a large amount of land, as well as fund the cost of building the kennels. Your start-up costs are likely to be high, meaning you may need to source outside investment. It may also take you longer to begin making a profit.

It can be time-consuming

Starting up and running a dog kennel business requires a big time commitment, particularly when you first open your business. Your business will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and you could be responsible for a lot of tasks, including marketing, organisation, business accounts, taking care of the animals, ordering and maintaining equipment, and cleaning.

Work can be inconsistent

If you are not operating at full capacity, you are reducing your profits. Unfortunately, work can be inconsistent and there may be certain times of the year when you have low occupancy.

It can be stressful

Not only are you responsible for the success of your business, but you are also responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the animals and your employees. Running a dog kennel business can be demanding and extremely stressful.

Making your business succeed can be difficult

If your area already has an established kennel business, this can make it extremely difficult to grow your own business and make a success of it. Dog owners are more likely to choose a kennel that they have used previously or that already has a lot of positive customer reviews.

Planning Your Dog Kennel Business

An effective and well-designed business plan is imperative to the success of your dog kennel business.

There are some key considerations you should make when planning your business and creating your business plan:

What type of dog kennel business are you going to run and who are your target customers?

This is the first consideration you should make when planning your business, as it will influence your prices, facilities, equipment requirements, and branding. You need to decide whether you will set up a budget, mid-range or luxury dog kennel business and what services you are going to offer.

What is your local competition?

Being aware of any competition in your area is imperative. If there are already successful dog kennel businesses, you will need to consider how to make your business stand out. If the local kennel is geared towards budget customers, you may want to consider opening a luxury dog kennel to target a different customer base.

What are your premises options?

You will need to consider whether you are buying an existing dog kennel business, land that already has existing infrastructure that can be converted, or land where you will need to build the kennels and other buildings from scratch. This will heavily influence your start-up costs and initial investment requirements.

Where will you be located?

As mentioned earlier, the location of your business is important. Ideally, it should be easily accessible for your target customer base, but far enough away from residential areas that the dog barking won’t be an issue.

What are your equipment requirements?

Budget, mid-range, and luxury dog kennels will have different equipment requirements and facilities as they will offer different services. Consult the equipment list above to plan your requirements and calculate how much this is likely to cost. You should also determine whether you are going to purchase all of your equipment or whether some will be rented.

Can you finance the business yourself or will you need outside investment?

Calculate your start-up costs, running costs, and expected profits to determine your investment requirements. If you need outside investment, you could obtain this from a bank, another financial institution, a private investor, other businesses, or from family or friends.

Will you require your staff to undergo training or obtain qualifications?

Although this is not a legal requirement, qualified staff can make your business more attractive to potential customers, help to keep the animals safe and help you to obtain a higher score on your inspection.

What are your business objectives?

Determining your business objectives can be a great way to attract investments for your dog kennel business and can help you to grow your business. They also help you to create your business plan.

Your business objectives should be SMART:

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Achievable
• R = Realistic
• T = Time-bound

Have you complied with all legal requirements?

Ensure you have filed all your paperwork and are complying with all legal requirements before opening your dog kennel business. Consult the list above to check you have followed all guidelines and applied for the necessary licences. Legal requirements are designed to help protect your business and protect the health and safety of the dogs, your employees and any visitors to your business.

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Dog Kennel Business Plan Template

Dog kennel business plan.

You’ve come to the right place to create your Dog Kennel business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Dog Kennel businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Dog Kennel business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Puptopia is a new dog kennel business located in Akron, Ohio. The company is run by Jenna Williams, who is an experienced dog kennel attendant, groomer, and trainer. Dogs have been at the center of her career for years and she is eager to run her own business where she can care for canines all day long. With her experience and expertise, we expect to become the most popular dog kennel in the area.

Puptopia will offer a full suite of services to ensure that each dog is cared for. We offer these services in three packages: basic, wagging good time, and puptopia premium. The more expensive packages will offer additional toys and services so that our clients’ dogs have the ultimate kennel experience. However, our basic package will still provide a long list of services so that no dog is neglected while in our care. No matter what package our clients purchase, they can rest assured that their dogs will be well taken care of.

Product Offering

We offer a full suite of boarding services to ensure all of our customers’ pups are well taken care of. These services come in three packages: basic, wagging good time, and puptopia premium. The basic package offers the essentials: food, water, play time, bedding, and evening walks. The other packages offer additional extras that give our customers’ pups the ultimate kennel experience. No matter what package they purchase, our customers will find that their pups are extremely happy and well taken care of when in our care.

Customer Focus

Puptopia will target dog owners in Akron, Ohio. The company will target owners of dogs of all breeds and sizes. No matter the customer, Puptopia will deliver the best communication, service, and prices.

Management Team

Puptopia will be owned and operated by Jenna O’Reilly. She has over ten years of experience working with dogs and has worked as a groomer, trainer, and kennel attendant. She has always dreamed of running her own business that cares for dogs and has been planning out Puptopia for several years. Her expertise and experience will ensure that Puptopia is a popular and profitable business.

Success Factors

Puptopia will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of dog care professionals.
• Comprehensive menu of services to ensure each dog is comfortable at the kennel.
• Competitive pricing and discounts for regular customers.

Financial Highlights

Puptopia is seeking $300,000 in debt financing to launch its business. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing dog care equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for Puptopia. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Kennel and office space build-out: $100,000
• Kennel equipment, dog care supplies, and materials: $25,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $15,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for Puptopia.

Company Overview

Who is puptopia.

Puptopia is a new dog kennel business located in Akron, Ohio. The company is run by Jenna Williams, who is an experienced dog kennel attendant, groomer, and trainer. Dogs have been at the center of her career for years and she is eager to run her own business where she can care for canines all day long. With her experience and expertise, we expect to become the most popular dog kennel in the city.

  Jenna’s love for dogs fuels her mission to provide the best kennel and boarding experience for dogs living in the Akron, Ohio area. She will accomplish this by providing multiple packages of services to choose from. Our most basic package will include all the basics that a dog needs: comfortable bedding, food and water, two play times with other dogs, and an evening walk. Our more expensive packages will include extra toys, walks, and play time with the other dogs or kennel attendants.

Jenna is confident that her dog care skills combined with her customer service experience will enable her to run a profitable kennel of her own. Jenna is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a kennel business – marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, product procurement, and janitorial operations. By utilizing her experience and hiring professionals to help her with other aspects of the business, Jenna is sure to run a popular and profitable kennel business.

Puptopia’s History

Jenna has been planning out her kennel business for several years. She recently completed a market analysis and customer survey to see how popular her business would be. She received a lot of positive feedback which prompted her to finally start her business. She incorporated Puptopia as an LLC on June 1st, 2023.

Since incorporation, Puptopia has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Puptopia to transact business in the state of Ohio.
• Found a kennel space and signed a letter of intent to lease it.
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include former customers, dog owners, friends, and family members to help spread the word about the new dog kennel business.
• Began recruiting key employees to work at Puptopia.

Puptopia’s Services

Puptopia offers several services to ensure that each pup is comfortable and well-taken care of. Customers can order one of our three packages based on the services they want us to provide their canine friends. Below are the three packages we offer and the services provided for each.

Basic Package

• Comfortable bedding
• Three meal times
• Two play times
• Evening walk/potty time

Wagging Good Time Package

• Additional walk time

Puptopia Premium Package

• Additional individual play time

Industry Analysis

The pet boarding industry is expected to grow over the next five years. This is primarily due to the increase in travel brought upon by the end of the pandemic. With fewer travel restrictions, many people are traveling to locations they dreamed about while in lockdown. However, pet owners who want to travel need to find accommodations for their pets. Many of these owners depend on kennels and other pet boarding businesses to care for their pets while they go on vacation.

Therefore, while the pet boarding industry suffered greatly from the pandemic, the industry is expected to bounce back in the next few years. According to Allied Market Research, the industry was valued at $19.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from now until 2031. This is promising growth and shows that the pet boarding industry is once again an important service for many pet owners.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market, customer segmentation.

Puptopia will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Families with pets
• Millennial and Gen Z dog owners with disposable income
• Residents earning more than the median income

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Puptopia will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Happy Paws Boarding

Happy Paws Boarding is a popular pet boarding service that has been operating since 2002. This kennel offers numerous services, including dog day care, boarding, training, grooming and walking, as well as in-home pet care and poop-scooping services. Day care services include all-day playtime and one walk each day. For the company’s boarding services, dogs have individual cabins, plenty of food and water, toys, and all-day playtime. The facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and owners have the ability to check in with their dogs using webcams. Pet owners can rest assured that their dogs are well taken care of while they are out of town.

The Ball of Fluff Hotel

Established in 2006, The Ball of Fluff Hotel is a premium kennel and pet boarding facility. The company provides pets with numerous services including, premium bedding, multiple play times, two walks per day, and all the toys a pet could want. They also provide grooming and training services for additional fees. They take both cats and dogs and ensure that every pet is pampered while their owners are away.

The Canine Lodge

The Canine Lodge is one of the leading kennel businesses in the United States. The Canine Lodge operates 52 centers in 20 states and is often the first kennel local pet owners think of when they need to board their pets for a few days. The company offers luxury pet boarding services, including premium bedding, food, and toys. They also provide long play times and multiple walks each day. Customers also have the option of purchasing training services for an additional cost. Some of the company’s locations even let owners view their pets via webcam.

Competitive Advantage

Puptopia will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Puptopia will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Client-focused dog kennel services, that treat each pet individually with excellent care
• Superior, customized service built on long-term relationships
• Proven track record and expertise in the industry

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Puptopia is as follows:

Website/SEO Marketing

Puptopia will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the features and benefits of the kennel. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that Puptopia is able to provide.

The marketing director will also manage Puptopia’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “dog kennel service” or “dog kennels near me”, Puptopia will be listed at the top of the search results.

Social Media Marketing

Puptopia’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. They will ensure Puptopia maintains an active social media presence with regular daily updates and fun content to get customers excited about the company’s dog kennel services.

Word of Mouth/Referrals

Puptopia will encourage word-of-mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients. The company will use recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing to grow the customer base through the network of its existing customers. The company will be incentivizing its existing customer base to encourage their friends to drop off their canines at our kennel.

Customer Loyalty Programs

Puptopia will create a winning customer loyalty program to keep its best customers coming back again and again. The program will include discounts, deals, and promotions that non-loyalty customers will not have access to.

The pricing of Puptopia will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s services. Puptopia will give new and regular customers discounts to encourage repeat business.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Puptopia. Operation Functions:

• Jenna O’Reilly will be the Owner and Manager of the company. She will oversee the general operations of the kennel and help out with caring for the dogs. Over the next several months, she will hire the following staff:
• Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.
• Accountant/Bookkeeper who will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• Several attendants who will greet customers and care for the dogs.

Milestones:

Puptopia will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

• 8/1/2022 – Finalize the lease on the facility.
• 9/1/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts.
• 10/1/2022 – Begin build-out and remodel of the facility and purchase equipment and supplies.
• 11/1/2022 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan.
• 12/1/2023 – Puptopia officially opens for business.
• 1/1/2024 – Reach break even.

Though Jenna has never run a business of her own, she has worked in the industry long enough to gain an in-depth knowledge of the operations (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.) sides of running a kennel. She will also hire several professionals to help her run other aspects of the business she is unfamiliar with.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Puptopia are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the company’s dog kennel and boarding services. The pricing of Puptopia will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s services. Puptopia will give new and regular customers discounts to encourage repeat business.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff our kennel business. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, dog care equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of clients per month: 100
• Annual lease: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, dog kennel business plan faqs, what is a dog kennel business plan.

A dog kennel business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your dog kennel business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Dog Kennel business plan using our Dog Kennel Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Dog Kennel Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of dog kennel businesses , some examples include: Overnight boarding, Day care, and Luxury boarding.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Dog Kennel Business Plan?

Dog Kennel businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Dog Kennel Business?

Starting a dog kennel business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Dog Kennel Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed dog kennel business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your dog kennel business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your dog kennel business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Dog Kennel Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your dog kennel business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your dog kennel business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Dog Kennel Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your dog kennel business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your dog kennel business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful dog kennel business:

• How to Start a Dog Boarding Business

Dog Kennel Business Plan Template [Updated 2023]

III. Industry Analysis

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

With revenue doubling over the past decade the Pet Boarding industry is one of the few established industries to post consistently strong gains over the past decade.

Demand for pet boarding, training and walking is at an all-time high due to rising pet ownership, improved disposable income and changing consumer preferences regarding pet care. Industry revenue has grown at an annualized rate of 4.3% over the next five years. Pet parents have been purchasing a greater range of high-value services for their pets, contributing to industry revenue growth. Furthermore, industry operators have expanded their services to capture additional revenue. Pet boarders have also introduced deluxe hotel suites equipped with TVs, webcams for owners and training services, among other amenities.

Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualized rate over the next five years. Increasing pet ownership will likely increase demand for services and rising per capita income will likely enable more owners to be able to afford luxury services. However, industry competition is expected to intensify as the number of establishments that offer pet-sitting services is expected to increase. Additionally, since pet sitters often host animals in their own homes or visit the pet’s home, these operators may have a lower cost structure than traditional pet boarding facilities.

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Dog Kennel Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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How to Write a Dog Boarding Business Plan

You love dogs and want to open a dog boarding business, but you aren't sure where to begin. Unfortunately, running a successful dog kennel takes more than just a love of dogs. Before you can turn your passion into a thriving and profitable enterprise, you will need to know how to write a dog boarding business plan that's solid .

A proper business plan is vital in starting any business, as well as the #1 tool for gathering investors. Before you even consider taking a single dog into your care, you must research and map out a proper strategy. This strategy will be the guide that outlines your goals and brings your vision to life.

There are business plan templates available online to help you, or you can come up with your own. There are a lot of variables when planning a business, so everyone's business plans will look a little different, but they will all state the details of the business, the scope of the business, how the owner will get the business started, and what the owners' plans are for the near future.

You may be thinking that your dog boarding business is going to be a small operation run from your home and you'll be tending to the dogs of your friends, family, and neighbors.

So, why would you need a business plan?

No matter how small your business, you're going to have some kind of startup costs. Granted, your business may not need much, but you'll still need some basic supplies and possibly a slight remodel of the intended location. Your also going to need some amount of advertising and you'll have insurance and legal issues to work out as well.

Don't think for a second that you can get away with not having a business plan. If you're serious about your business you need a solid plan that will help you start it, build it up, and run it for years to come. Think of your business plan as a road map for the next 5+ years of your business's existence.

The scope of your business will vary from other dog boarding businesses, which will effect the details of your business plan, but this will give you a general idea of the parts of a business plan, why they are all important, and what to include in your plan.

RELATED: 10 Great Dog Business Ideas for Petreneurs

Before you get started you need to make sure that there is a need for your business in your area. Every pet owner travels at some time or another or has to board their dog for any number of other reasons. Unless there are other similar businesses in your area, you should be good to go.

However, don't count your idea out just because there is another boarding business in your local area. Is there a need for another one?  Maybe you live in an urban area and the local dog boarding facility is full most of the time with a wait list for cancellations. In that case you could probably open your business up next door and still get customers.

Do some research to find out what your local competition will be and whether or not this type of business is needed in your area. Once you've established a need, you can move on with creating your business plan.

State the Goals of Your Dog Boarding Business

The first part of any business plan is a brief overview of what you have in mind for your particular business. Investors and bankers know what a dog boarding business is, but what are the specific details of your operation.

Here is an example: I will start my dog boarding business, Forever Friends Kennel and Boarding, in my home. I will convert my existing two car garage into a kenneling facility. If things go well, there is room for expansion in a few years. I will not take anymore than 6 dogs at a time. I will provide doggy daycare services as well.

It is also necessary to list all related experience you and your staff will bring to the venture when writing a business plan for your dog kennel. Care of an owner's pets can be both complicated and emotional, and the more experience you bring to the table, the more peace-of-mind your clients will have.

This section should state your dog-related accomplishments, relevant pet care experience, credentials and all other pertinent qualifications. This part is brief, but it shows the reader exactly what your intentions are.

Be honest in your business plan. Investors aren't necessarily looking to back a business that has intentions on growing into a franchise, they just want to see that you have a plan to make your business, however big or small it may be, successful.

Executive Summary

Write a thorough but brief summary of your dog boarding business and how you plan for its success. Be sure to add a full list of the services that your boarding facility will offer. Some dog kennels operate full boarding facilities and even offer dog training for the animals and their owners while others provide day services only. Supply as complete a picture as you can of your new business.

Your executive summary should be written last, after you have done all the groundwork in preparing your business plan – it is, after all, meant to be a summary of everything in your plan. This is the page that needs to grab the interest of potential investors and clients and should include when the investors can expect to see a return on their investment.

RELATED: How to Start a Pet Business with Dogs

Your executive summary should include your officers and employees and all major leading players who are going to assist in managing the business and generating the returns for the investors. It should also discuss any business partners (silent or working) that you may have, and what type of entity your business is going to be (sole proprietorship, limited liability corporation, etc…)

Financial Summary

If you don't have sufficient cash, you may need outside sources to help with funding. A proper dog boarding business plan gives possible investors and banks the tools they need to analyze your business. You need to provide a projected cash-flow statement to show how your proposed business will make a profit.

How much money you will need to start up, and how you intend to repay it, should be a significant portion of your business plan. It may take months for your business to grow so be realistic about your projected cash flow. A good rule of thumb to follow is to make sure that you plan to have enough startup money in the bank to run your business for 3 months without any cash flow and an additional 3 months with only enough income to pay half your bills.

Start by indicating that you will open both a business checking and savings account. List your projected expenses including salary along with credit cards that you will use for equipment, office furniture, leashes, collars, dog food , and other supplies. Make a list of all the equipment for boarding dogs, such as sanitation, flooring, crates and fencing.

RELATED: How to Write a Dog Walking Business Plan

You don't have to get exact figures for the cost of all your supplies, but check around and make an accurate estimation. In this case it would be better to overestimate than underestimate. When it comes time to start purchasing equipment you don't want to run out of money.

This section is crucial, even if you plan to fund your business yourself. You still need a plan for what you'll be spending your money on and when you'll be able to see a return on your investment. Your business plan is not set in stone, but it will keep you on track. It will keep you from going way over budget and prevent you from forgetting some important supplies too.

Marketing Analysis Summary and Advertising

Once you have completed the demographics for your kennel and completed your market research, these statistics should be included in your dog boarding business plan. Do a market analysis of other similar facilities in the area, and explain what you will do differently if you find that other dog boarding facilities have failed.

This is the section where you will explain how you will make your center a success. Provide as much information as you can, including your pricing and media strategy and outline of the marketing efforts you have planned for the future. Be as detailed as you can when explaining how you will market your business . Don't just say you'll hang up flyers. Explain where you'll hang your flyers and why you chose those locations.

Your boarding business will need publicity and an advertising strategy. List your plans for any advertisements you plan on putting in pet-care magazines, the internet, or local newspapers. Include information on how you plan to implement your strategic vision. If you plan to offer coupons and promotions to your new customers, put your ideas in this section.

Fees and Legalities

Once you are done your market research you should have a good sense of what other boarding facilities in your area charge. Keep in mind that you don't have the experience or reputation that these other facilities may have, so you may not be able to charge the same rates.

On the other hand, you may be able to charge more for your services if you offer something that no other facility in your area offers or if you have special qualifications and training . It is always best to start off on the lower end so you don't drive potential customers away with high prices. Once your business gets established and your reputation grows you can slowly raise your fees over time.

After your prices are set you must draft a contract for all your clients. If you're offering doggy daycare and grooming services along with boarding, you will need a separate contract for each service. Even if you live in a small community and you'll be doing business with family and friends, EVERYONE needs to sign a contract.

These contracts will not only protect you and your business assets, but also your customers, their pets, and your employees. It is important to make sure that your contracts cover as much as possible, so you may want to work with a legal professional to draft them.

If a lawyer isn't in your budget, you can find sample contracts on numerous websites including:

• 4 Paws Resort and Spa
• Cozy Home Pet Care
• SamTheDogTrainer

You're ready to get started…

Once your business plan is complete you can begin looking for investors and get your business started. Even if you don't need outside financing, taking the time to make sure your dog boarding business plan is as thorough as possible will make things much easier for you in the long run.

The more time you put into the planning of your business, the less surprises you will have as you begin to get it up and running. The more thorough your plan is, the better it will look to investors as well. Think of your business plan as your business's first impression, and make sure it is a good one.

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