Pampered Pets

Savvy business owners offer new ways to show Fido you love him.

By Jill Abrahamsen

Let’s face it: No one is going to be a more loyal and true friend than your dog. Who looks at you as adoringly as Fido does? It’s a love that’s unconditional and with no expectations. No matter how late you come home, he is always happy to see you. Take care of his basic needs, and you’ll have a friend for life.

But today, pet owners go way beyond pets’ basic needs. They pamper and spoil their pets even more than they spoil themselves. Has your dog had a spa treatment more recently than you have? Sounds about right. Today, our four-legged friends—dogs and cats, too—make up a $70-billion industry that shows no sign of slowing down.

Here, we talk to franchisors who know that we want the very best for our pets— and they also know we’re willing to pay for it. These entrepreneurs have given us unique and specialized ways to care for them. Take Steven and Jason Parker, for example. Before they were even teens, they were in the pet business, walking dogs for local customers. Seeing the demand for pet-care, these forward-thinkers launched K9 Resort, a “five-star,” daycare and luxury hotel for dogs.

Some may think pet pampering is over-the-top, but the numbers don’t lie. Experts call pet-care a recession-proof industry that will be worth more than $200 billion by 2025. Want in? This feel-good business might be just the thing to get your tail wagging.

MOBILE PET IMAGING

Dr. Pedro F. Armstrong

ENTREPRENEURS COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THEY SEE A NEED AND FILL it with a unique product or service, delivered in a new way. Dr. Pedro Armstrong knows this well. He was a veterinarian looking for a better way to serve his clients.

Dr. Armstrong saw a need to offer high-quality imaging services to better diagnose animals. “Although many veterinary practices have x-ray machines on-site, they don’t always tell the full story for a proper diagnosis,” says Dr. Armstrong. “CAT Scan machines are prohibitively expensive and too large for most vets to keep at their offices. Off-site imaging labs are often inconvenient and intimidating for pet owners. I thought there had to be a better and cheaper way.”

His answer was Mobile Pet Imaging. As the name suggests, it’s a mobile pet-imaging service that brings high-definition, 3D CT Scan services on-site to veterinarians’ offices. “It’s a win for everyone. The pet gets a better diagnosis in a more comfortable setting, the family gets convenience at a cheaper price, and the vet gets to help his patient with a third party he can work with on an on-going basis. The customer will also be more likely to get the scan done since it’s more accessible,” he explains. In fact, Dr. Armstrong set up a system so that the client drops off a pet at the vet’s office and then picks them up later in the day. “This way, folks don’t have to sit around in waiting rooms and take time off from work.”

Dr. Armstong’s goal is to bring this service to every major city in the U.S. by offering franchise opportunities. “We spent a lot of time perfecting the system. Franchisees will need to build relationships with veterinarians, but we have support materials in place for success. We even made an information book to hand out that explains what we do.

It’s not just pets parents who are clients. Armstrong has partnered with zoos. “It’s a major convenience for the zoos and animals to bring the service to them.”

For more information, visit www.mobilepetimaging.com.

*Certain states require business ownership only by licensed veterinarians.

Dr. Pedro Armstrong

K9 RESORTS

Steven and Jason Parker

BROTHERS STEVEN AND JASON PARKER NEVER IMAGINED THEIR DOG-WALKING business would lead them to running a multi-million-dollar pet franchise. Back in 1999, at the ages of 14 (Steve) and 12 (Jason), the brothers started a pet-care business called K-9 Guardians Professional Pet Sitting to earn extra cash. They were successful and in time grew a loyal clientele.

A few years later, attending a convention for pet sitters, Steven witnessed how successful other pet care professionals had become and told his father he wanted to drop out of college and build on his pet business. While that did not go over well initially, it certainly paid off in the long run.

Recognizing a need for high-quality boarding services, the brothers set out to develop the finest pet-care facility available. “We spent many years researching, and in 2005, we purchased a commercial building in Fanwood, New Jersey. We had it custom engineered and constructed,” Jason says. K9 Resorts was an immediate success. “We knew we were on to something. We quickly surpassed kennels that were in business for years.”

“We are a true five-star hotel for dogs. Kind of like The Ritz-Carlton. Everything is super highend.” Jason says. Armed with technology, there’s a hospital-grade ventilation system and flooring systems with Microban built in. There are three types of boarding options. The cage-free luxury suites are extra large and come equipped with art work and color televisions tuned to Animal Planet. The executive rooms are also cage free, but a little smaller, and there’s also traditional cage boarding. Other services include doggie day care and bathing.

The brothers started franchising in 2011, with a loyal customer as the first franchisee. Initially, they limited the franchise growth to New Jersey and Pennsylvania so they could oversee operations. Now, with the help of a private-equity deal, they have resources in place to expand across the U.S. and give franchisees the tools they need for success. “Training takes place in New Jersey and then we come to the location to get them started. We provide marketing, website, and social media support. We are with our franchisees every step of the way,” Jason says.

For more information, visit www.k9resorts.com

PET WANTS

Michele Hobbs

GROWING FRUSTRATED WITH HER DOG’S SKIN ISSUES PROMPTED MICHELE Hobbs to do some research. “I was always bringing Jackson to the vet and nothing worked. After losing my job during the recession, and looking at expenses, it was clear I was spending way too much on treatments that didn’t work: steroids, antibiotics, cones, medical tape, salves etc.,” Hobbs says. “I knew it had to be a nutrition issue and eventually started working with a small manufacturer and doing local food trials.

In 2010, Hobbs opened Pet Wants in a farmers’ market. “I knew from the beginning that I was going to franchise Pet Wants because the business model had never been done and there was a huge need for change in the pet food industry,” she says. Pet Wants makes and sells fresh pet food then delivers it to the customer’s door. “We offer the ultimate in convenience with our auto-delivery program. No more running out of food. No more heavy bags,” she adds.

At the core of Pet Wants is the desire to provide pets with the best nutrition, health, vitality, and well-being by delivering a top-quality, fresh product. “Because we make so many of our Pet Wants products in-house, it allows our franchisees to prove their commitment to customers. No one touches our food except the production team, then it is delivered straight to the franchisee,” she says. Pet Wants is looking for active ownership. “Because we are so strict on the fresh-food model, we expect our franchise partners to be directly involved in the process,” she says. Franchisees balance their time between talking to clients at events and in our stores, then they have logistics of getting the product to the doors of the customers,” she adds.

There are two franchise models: a full-blown retail pet store and a mobile unit. The mobile franchise is designed to take advantage of farmers’ markets, dog shows, community events, and festivals. “Events like these are a great and inexpensive way to introduce the food to a large number of customers and an easy way to acquire new subscription and delivery clients,” says Hobbs.

Although not operationally managing the franchise system anymore, Hobbs is still a franchisee and the brand continues to hold her vision. Hobbs believes in the product so much, she doesn’t worry about the competition. “Amazon and Chewy can’t compare. No one has the fresh foods, nor the housemade fresh treats and products we make. Pet Wants beats the trend of vanishing retail,” she adds.

For more information, visit petwants.com.

Michele Hobbs and a friend.

PET PASSAGES

Mike Harris

AFTER THE LOSS OF HIS TWO PET ROTTWEILERS, MIKE HARRIS RECOGNIZED A need for a higher level of service when it comes to end-of-life pet care. “Pets are members of the family. Pet parents seek the same level of dignity and respect for their pets as they would for human family members,” says Harris, founder, President and CEO of Pet Passages. A licensed funeral director with a long family history in the funeral business, Harris knows about that firsthand.

In 2009, Harris launched a pet funeral home and crematory with the premise of treating the loss of a pet like the loss of a human. Pet Passages offers an array of services including cremation, funeral services, memorialization, and bereavement support. There is on-site euthanasia, done in a peaceful, quiet setting. Clients can coordinate services through their veterinarians or call Pet Passages directly. “Just like in human funerals, we have viewing rooms, so pets can be memorialized. We groom the pet and have a short service with prayers and poems,” Harris says.

“People treat their pets like family more than ever before. Our service is very much in demand. We have strict chain of custody procedures to track the pet while it’s in our care. Our goal is to provide the most dignified, honorable, and technologically advanced services available,” Harris says.

Franchising since 2016, Harris is looking to partner with franchisees who are pet lovers—especially ones who have experienced the loss of a pet—and can relate to the customer. “They must have people- and relationship-building skills to work with veterinarians and customers,” Harris says.

Training takes two weeks and franchisees will get immersed in the day-to-day operations. “They will learn everything at a very intimate level. So when they open their own locations, they already had a front-row seat to the business,” Harris adds. “We spend another week at the franchisee’s location when they are ready to open their doors,” he says.

For more information, visit www.national.petpassages.com.

Mike Harris and pet Akita.

AUSSIE PET MOBILE

Jack Frampton

PET GROOMING MAY NOT BE THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN you think of Australia, but it just so happens that Aussie Pet Mobile was launched “down under” back in 1996. The original mobile unit was a horse trailer pulled by a pick-up truck, but the brand evolved and now a customized Mercedes Sprinter van is the vehicle of choice, due to its longevity and durability. And that’s not the only thing that’s changed. The company moved its global headquarters to the United States in 1999. Since then, the brand has grown to more than 78 franchisees with about 260 units worldwide. “We prefer to keep growth at a slow and steady pace. We will only bring on 12 new franchisees a year. We want to make sure we are available for our new partners,” says Jack Frampton, vice president of franchise development.

Aussie Pet Mobile offers grooming services for cats and dogs and services are performed right in front of the customer’s home (or office). “It’s the ultimate in convenience for clients, and it’s less stressful for the pet. Being in a familiar environment is a much nicer experience for the pet, without cages or high-pitched dryers that you would find at traditional groomers,” says Frampton.

This is a full-time, owner-operator model. “We seek franchisees who are all in, who love animals, and who are excited about this business. Our culture is a team environment. We expect our franchisees to be compassionate and treat employees with respect,” says Frampton.

Just like traditional groomers and hair salons, there is repeat business—upwards of 80 percent. “As the grooming is finished, the next appointment gets scheduled. This is a great opportunity in a growth area. Pet care is a $70 billion dollar industry, and it show no signs of slowing,” says Frampton.

For more information, visit aussiepetmobile.com.

Jack Frampton