How to Start a Dog Kennel Business

Dogs have often been referred to as man's best friend, and this is probably true for you if you are an avid dog lover. While owning a dog or two can be a rewarding experience, many people don't realize they can turn a passion or love for dogs into a profitable business by learning how to start a dog kennel business.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• proper facilities
• space for dogs to run/play
• food
• toys

1. Get funding for the kennel or start small. A professional kennel that can board many dogs at one time requires space and money to ensure it is appropriate for all sizes and types of dogs. Generally this requires a lot of property and space for the dogs to run and play, while also having individualized kennel areas/pens where dogs can rest, eat and sleep. While you may have the funding or qualify for a loan to accomplish building a large-sized kennel, most people opt to start small and expand gradually as their business increases. This can be done by only housing one or two dogs at your home or facility and slowly increasing as more money allows you to do so.

2. Draft the appropriate liability and release forms. Taking care of someone else's dog is a huge responsibility since something could happen to cause injury or even death to the animal. You should decide in advance what liability and release forms are important for you to have your clients fill out. At a minimum you should have a release form that allows you to take the dog to the vet (should list the vet's name and address) should an emergency or illness occur. In addition, you may also want to consider during this step getting extra insurance in the event of an injury or death since your homeowner or business insurance may not cover everything.

3. Establish references. This is a critical step when starting a dog kennel business since most dog owners are as protective about their pets as they are about their children. Taking care of dogs for family and friends can provide you with the references you need until you get actual clients who are willing to serve as well.

4. Develop a partnership or agreement with a local vet's office. While this isn't a requirement to starting a dog kennel business, it is highly recommended. Veterinarians that do not have kennel facilities often get asked by their clients where they can take their beloved pooch when they are away on vacation or business. Getting to know these vets can be beneficial since they have the opportunity to refer their clients to your kennel business. Of course some may want to establish an agreement with you requesting that you bring animals in for care to their facility should they need it when the owner is gone.

5. Advertise and market your business. After you've established your business the final step is to get customers coming through the door to utilize your kennel services. This can be accomplished by advertising and marketing to dog owners in your area. While there are a number of different things you can do, most kennel owners and operators find it beneficial to place flyers or brochures in pet stores, veterinarian offices and other places dog owners frequent on a regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Most states require a license to operate a dog kennel. In some cases, you only need a license once your business grows beyond two or three dogs. Check with your local licensing board, county clerk's office or chamber of commerce for more information.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Example of dog kennel license requirement: Denver, CO