The pet boarding business is expected to hit $35.8 billion in value by 2031.
That’s a lot of kibble and dog poop duty.
With millions of pet owners across the country, dog boarding services are essential. Pet parents want their pups to be safe, entertained, and cared for when they’re working, traveling, or vacationing.
If you have the space, time, and patience, opening a dog boarding business may be an excellent career move for you. After all, who wouldn’t want to play with dogs all day and get paid for doing it?
We’re here to help you get started on your journey to owning and operating a home dog boarding business, breaking down each step and providing helpful tips for success along the way.
Steps to Starting a Dog Boarding Business
Starting a pet care business takes proper planning and preparation, but you’ll be ready to open your dog boarding business in no time. Follow these steps to help you get the ball rolling.
1. Gain Experience Working With Pets
Before you commit to a career of caring for other people’s pets, make sure you’re cut out for the job. Having a family dog or cat-sitting for your neighbor isn’t the same as boarding pets for a living. It requires much more time, attention, and flexibility.
Try working in other pet care jobs to earn experience before diving into a dog boarding business. Not only does this prepare you for the job, but it also helps build credibility in the pet care industry. Some options include becoming a:
Working with your clients’ pets allows you to build on your skills and knowledge base, preparing you to level up your services. Learning how to handle senior pets, medication administration, and other special accommodations allows you to care for pets with confidence.
Once you feel prepared to start your dog boarding business, consider opening a doggy daycare first, hosting pets in your home during the day, and sending them home at night. This is a great way to practice before taking on your first overnight guests.
2. Research and Develop a Business Plan
Success isn’t about luck, it’s a matter of planning. Starting on a solid foundation is the best way to ensure your business will thrive. Dedicate some time and deep thought to these important factors to set up a game plan:
- Conduct market research. Examine your local market, paying close attention to pet ownership, competitors, and market saturation. How will your dog boarding business fit in? Is there a demand for your services?
- Outline goals. Think about where you want your business to go. Are you looking for a side gig that fits into your lifestyle? A full-time career move? Expansion into a full kenneling facility someday? The answers will determine how you approach your plan.
- Plan services. Your list of services could include daycare, overnight boarding, dog walking, grooming, and much more. It all depends on your experience and what you’re comfortable with. Just make sure not to overwhelm yourself.
- Create a pricing strategy. Use your market research to competitively price your services. Model your strategy after similar local businesses to ensure you aren’t over- or under-charging.
- Build a budget. Dog boarding business start-up costs can add up quickly. Consider all of your expenses, including rent/mortgage, utilities, upkeep, staffing, insurance, permits, equipment, and any other business-related costs to understand how to make the most of your money.
Create a formal business plan to help organize your findings. This provides a comprehensive overview of how to start your dog boarding business and where you want to take it in the future.
3. Get Permits, Licenses, and Insurance
The laws for dog boarding businesses vary depending on your state, county, and even city. Depending on where you live, you may have to adhere to regulations related to:
- Zoning
- The number of animals in your care
- Business type
- Business size
- Home or facilities inspection
- Daytime vs overnight services
Always check with your local agency and get the proper licenses and permits for your business before you start accepting clients.
Beyond boarding-related permits, you’ll also need to take care of the basic requirements for all businesses. This includes a few essential steps, like:
- Choosing a name
- Selecting a business structure
- Registering your business
- Applying for an
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Opening a business bank account
With your permits in place and business set up, it’s time to purchase pet boarders insurance.
Caring for pets comes with many risks, so it’s important to safeguard yourself and your business. A single claim can cost thousands, but insurance for doggy daycare or overnight boarding can save the day.
4. Set Up Your Facilities
Now it’s time to think about your boarding facilities. Much of this depends on where you plan to operate and how many pets you want to board at a time.
If you want to host pets in your home, you’ll need to take a close look at your setup. Some important design elements to consider include:
- Flooring: Paws and claws can be rough on floors. Carpeting may be easier for dogs to walk on, particularly seniors. However, wood, vinyl, or tile flooring is much easier to clean when oopsies happen. Hard floors with a few non-slip rugs are a good compromise.
- Furniture: It can be difficult to keep pets off of your furniture, even more so when you have several dogs or cats in your home at once. Opt for durable, easy-to-clean furniture, or have a plan to keep pets out of certain living spaces.
- Outdoor access: Dogs need to stretch their legs and have a safe place to go potty. If your home doesn’t have easy access to a yard, you’ll need to take several walks or trips to the park per day.
- Fencing: If you do have a yard for pets to explore, fencing is an absolute must. For safety purposes, your fence should be a minimum of 4 feet high, though taller is better. If you have the space, invest in separate fenced-in enclosures to give reactive pets safe outdoor time.
- Stairs: Some dogs can struggle with stairs, so it’s best to have your boarding equipment set up on one floor to avoid accidents or scared pups who don’t want to navigate the steps.
- Safe play space: Pets need a place where they can run, wrestle, and play safely. This could be your fenced-in yard, a rec room, or a converted basement. Just make sure they can get rowdy without hurting themselves or your home.
- Room for separation: Some dogs just don’t get along with others. You need at least one separate room where you can keep reactive or anxious pets separate from your other boarders. This ensures the dog’s safety and comfort during their stay with you.
In addition to your home’s accommodations, you’ll need to have some essential equipment and supplies to care for your furry guests. This list includes (but isn’t limited to):
- Crates of various sizes (at least one per pet you board)
- Door gates
- Bedding
- Food and water bowls
- Cleaning supplies
- Spare leashes, collars, and harnesses
- Dog toys
- Extra food and treats
If you decide to scale your dog boarding business in the future, you’ll likely need to invest in a property dedicated to housing pets. All of the above necessities still apply but on a larger scale. For instance, instead of standard crates and a backyard, you would need permanent kennels and a spacious, secure outdoor play area.
5. Stick to a Daily Schedule
As you prepare to take on your first clients, take the time to map out a daily routine. This is an important step for your daily operations, ensuring you don’t forget important tasks like feeding times, medication administration, potty breaks, and water refills.
In addition to making your day easier, a schedule lets pet parents know that you take your job seriously and that you’ve accounted for all of their dogs’ needs.
Here is a sample schedule to help you create one that suits your business needs:
- 6:30 am Wake up and potty
- 7:15 am Breakfast time
- 7:30 am Boarders settle in their kennels; daycare and new boarders arrive
- 9:30 am Outdoor or indoor playtime for all; clean kennels and bowls
- 12:00 pm Mid-day pick up or drop off
- 12:30 pm Lunch / snacks / medicine distribution
- 1:00 pm Nap time; one-on-one play
- 4:00 pm Dinner time
- 5:00 pm Rest in kennels; pick-up time
- 6:00 pm Evening outdoor potty, play, and snuggles
- 8:30 pm Bedtime
Post your schedule in your home and on your website, and share a copy with clients the first time they drop off their pets or any time the schedule changes. This transparency helps you stay on task and puts pet parents at ease.
6. Establish Processes and Best Practices
As you schedule more bookings and gain clients, you’ll need to keep track of lots of important business information, such as:
- Client records
- Pet information
- Pet health history
- Invoicing
- Scheduling
Pet business software like TimeToPet allows you to streamline all of these essential elements of your business so that you have a centralized system for yourself and your customers. This allows you to worry less about administrative duties so you’re able to focus on the pups in your care.
7. Promote Your Dog Boarding Business
With all of the business details ironed out, it’s time to get your name out there. With a little ingenuity and know-how, you can promote your services and start booking clients in no time.
Try some or all of these tips for building your customer list and filling your schedule:
- Rep your brand with a logo: A logo gives your business personality and brand recognition. If you don’t have the art skills yourself, try using free software like Canva to help design a polished and professional-looking logo.
- Create a website: Building a website is easier than ever with services like Wix and Squarespace. A business site allows you to list your hours, book appointments, share pictures, and showcase customer testimonials — all in one convenient place.
- Join social media: Leverage social media to your advantage by creating business accounts across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Share photos, client testimonials, and consider placing some targeted ads to reach your audience.
- Print business cards: This old-school marketing method is still around for a reason. Get a box of business cards from an online printer like VistaPrint using your logo and a QR code for your booking software. Hand them out whenever possible!
- Offer discounts: As you build your customer base, offer deals and discounts for first-time customers, repeat clients, multiple pets, or referrals. This encourages people to try your services, share via word of mouth, and to keep coming back.
Keeping your dog boarding business start-up costs low is a top priority when you’re first starting out, and marketing may not be at the top of your budget. But, there are many effective ways to promote your business without breaking the bank.
8. Explore Opportunities for Growth
If you’re ready to take on more than a few pets at a time, you’ll need a larger, dedicated facility to house everybody. This could mean purchasing or renting a separate building or simply renovating your current space. Permanently installed kennels and industrial flooring are a must!
You may also want to expand your services to attract more customers. For example, if you’ve only boarded dogs up to this point, add accommodations for cats or other types of pets, too. You could also offer add-ons like grooming, bathing, and dog training services if you have the skills to do so.
With more clients and capacity, you’ll probably need help. You’re only one person! Scaling means hiring an employee or two so you can distribute the work and provide the best care possible.
Bringing on employees requires you to follow a few important laws and regulations, so make sure to do your research. You can start with part-time help and eventually increase hours or staffing depending on your needs. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do some on-the-job training to bring new hires up to speed.
7 Bonus Tips for Opening a Dog Boarding Business
Even the absolute best pet boarders can improve and grow in their field. Check out these tips to make your business stand out above the rest.
- Keep learning and engaging with industry best practices. Earn essential certifications to show clients that you’re serious about what you do.
- Include trust signals on your site, advertising, and business cards, such as your insurance badge, credentials, and affiliations.
- Network with fellow pet professionals at events like community gatherings, Chamber of Commerce meetings, and adoption events.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews and provide feedback. When they do, pay close attention to what they have to say.
- Decorate your business with pet-safe decor. Don’t shy away from color and cozy places for dogs to rest. Just because it’s functional doesn’t mean it has to be boring.
- Focus on enrichment and engagement with the pets. Basic care is essential, but physical activity, play, and mental challenges create a delightful experience for pets and their parents.
- Little extras make a huge difference. Add unique value to your services with a live stream of the playroom, text updates, or a dog-friendly obstacle course.
Starting a dog boarding business is one thing — creating an unforgettable experience is the real trick to finding and keeping clients.
Embark on Your Dog Boarding Adventure Today
With these tips and ideas, you’re all set to take the next steps in your journey as a pet professional. It may be hard work, but the joy of working with animals every day makes it worth your while. So why wait? Take your first step toward a rewarding career running your very own dog boarding business.
Paw-some Dog Boarding Business FAQs
The laws around starting a dog boarding business at home vary by state, county, and city. Many areas allow small business owners to board a limited number of dogs in their homes. Always check local laws and regulations before opening a home boarding operation.
Licensing requirements for dog boarding businesses vary by location. Some areas don’t require a license if you board fewer than five (5) dogs, while others require you to be licensed before you can operate in any capacity. Double-check the laws in your area before starting.
The average income for a dog boarding business is around $4,800 per month before operating costs. The average fee for overnight boarding is $25 per pet. How much your dog boarding business makes depends on several factors, including:
- How many pets you board
- How much you charge
- Operating costs
- Location
- Types of services offered
- Number of employees
