Pet Boarding and Daycare Jan/Feb 2022

VOL 12 • ED 1

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

WWW.PETBOARDINGANDDAYCARE.COM

Profile of Success

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PETROPOLIS

PETROPOLIS Empowered Pet Care

Planning For A

TREMENDOUS

2022

DOGGY DAYCARE:

A Worldwide Trend

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STAFF PUBLISHER Barkleigh Productions, Inc. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rebecca Shipman ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Josiah Malinich Brandi Aurelio

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

CONTENTS

WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth PRESIDENT Todd Shelly

Petropolis: Empowered Pet Care

VICE PRESIDENT Gwen Shelly CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs

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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / ACCOUNTS MANAGER Karin Grottola SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Cassidy Ryman

BOARDING ACROSS THE

MARKETING CONSULTANT Alex Hammersla CONTACT

General: (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com Editorial: rebecca@barkleigh.com

(717) 691-3388 (ext. 225) Advertising: james@barkleigh.com

(717) 691-3388 (ext. 224)

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Animal Behavior Copyright JANUARY 2022. Pet Boarding & Daycare is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Boarding & Daycare c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

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Managing Extreme Behaviors in the Boarding Setting

Business

FELINE LIFE STAGES

Think Tank 40 Taking Better Care of

Your Customers

Industry News

14 Leadership Meetings: Keep Your

SOPs Alive & Grow Your Team!

22 Planning for a Tremendous 2022

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

48 Doggy Daycare:

A Worldwide Trend 52 New Products

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Managing

e m e r t x E

s r o i v a h BBoearding Setting

in the

I

f you’ve been working in the pet care industry for any amount of time, you know not all pets that come through your doors will exhibit perfect behavior. In fact, the majority will likely pose as a challenge in one extreme or the other in terms of behavior that is displayed. This article outlines a few behavior types you may encounter as well as how to handle them.

Hyperactivity

These pets will demand your time in many ways. It may be a young, untrained pet that enjoys personal contact and protests when they don’t get it. Or, an adult dog or cat that has had little stimulation in their home environment and becomes overexcited when exposed to other pets. Either way, hyperactive pets can make your work more difficult, and training that much more valuable.

This pet is the one that bounces up and down, running back and forth, knocking over food and water bowls, and will not settle down. This pet is often very vocal, and efforts should be made to quiet them by rewarding them

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for being calm and quiet. Excessive vocalizing not only upsets other pet care guests, but also adds a physical stress of over-activity and can cause the pet to be more susceptible to airborne viruses.

Feline hyperactivity is more apt to occur at night and can result in a very messy enclosure the next morning if the hyper cat has spilled its food, water or litter box. It may be necessary to follow different procedures while cleaning and feeding these pets to prevent them from continuously soiling their enclosures and themselves. They may need to be relocated to a low-traffic or quiet area within the facility to avoid overstimulation. These pets must be given additional exercise and attention, and their food rations may need to be adjusted to compensate for the high activity level.

The Wallflower

A happy, well-adjusted dog or cat will normally get up and greet you when approached. The dog may wag his tail, and the cat may pace back and forth in anticipation of food or attention. Quiet,

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

shy pets do not seek attention. They are just the opposite of the hyperactive pet. They can be of any age, breed or sex. Outwardly, this pet rarely exhibits signs of distress or excitability. They may be ignored because they are thought to be “doing fine.” This is not the case. The overly-quiet pet may be stressing internally.

Depending on the length of stay for your wallflower, their health and weight can be affected. It is necessary to interact with this pet several times during the course of your daily routine.

Moving this pet to a different location within the facility where he/she can be easily and frequently interacted with often helps.

The Attention-Getter

Within families of pets, we often see an attention-getter. During feeding they are the “food hog,” and often the “class clown” during playtime. Overall, this one gets more than their fair share of food and attention.

It may be necessary to separate this pet from their family during feeding

Hyperactivity

The Attention-Getter

Demand your time and often wont settle down

Typicay a "food hog" and a "class clown" during playtime

Quiet and shy, wi not seek out attention

Acting out in panic due to separation from their owner

The Wallflower times so each of the pets can eat in peace and so you can measure each pet’s food intake. This type of behavior can also intimidate the other family members and discourage them from making a happy adjustment to the pet care facility environment. Keep in mind that they may not make a good “roommate” and may need to be cared for separately.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Pets with separation anxiety are reacting to being separated from their owner. Typical problems are inappropriate urination and defecation, whining, barking and howling. They may also exhibit destructive behavior, such as chewing on the enclosure or digging under the fence, in an attempt to escape to find their owner.

Pets with separation anxiety are not being destructive or soiling their enclosure “out of spite.” Instead, they are having a panic attack because they are so strongly bonded to their person. Separation anxiety may be more common in dogs who have been through multiple homes or shelters before finding a permanent family.

Dogs with separation anxiety also tend to not drink or eat when separated from their people. Severe weight loss and dehydration can result if the absence is prolonged and measures are not taken.

Treatment of separation anxiety

Separation Anxiety

is complex, and may include desensitization (the pet is left alone for gradually longer periods of time) and anti-anxiety medications. However, this is something that the pet parent should speak to their veterinarian about and not something that the pet care facility would initiate without the owner’s direction.

In the lodging environment, every effort must be made to ensure the pet’s experiences are positive during such stays and that any techniques the owner is using at home remain consistent.

Communication

In all cases of excessive behavior, it is important to inform your supervisor or manager so that the correct adjustments can be made for the care and wellbeing of the pet. It is also important that the pet owner be made aware of any extreme behaviors their pet may be exhibiting, especially if it something that was not disclosed by the pet parent in advance.

Typically a pet record will contain specific information about the pets in each play group or lodging enclosure.

This information is critical to the care of the pet. You should take the time to familiarize yourself with the information system and with the pets.

As new pets come in, take a moment to read their chart and greet them. Not only will this aid you in becoming more familiar with the needs of the pet, but it will also aid in establishing a bond you can both enjoy.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

For more information on Professional Pet Boarding Certification, or to enroll for online education, visit www.PetBoardingCertification.com

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BUSINESS

By Laura Laaman While 2020 was the worst year in recent times for a lot of businesses, 2021 presented plenty of its own challenges.

So, 2022 has to be better, right? Possibly…but only if we take the correct steps to make that happen.

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s if the pandemic wasn’t enough of a blow to our businesses, we ended 2021 with a labor shortage and higher wages than ever before; somewhat of a crash course in mastery-level business survival. After white-knuckling your way through business ownership and management, it’s time to move on to what we need to thrive— but calmly. This is a fabulous time of year to work ON your business rather than just work IN it.

Without thoughtful planning and changes, owners can get anchored to their business and feel like they’re being sucked down a powerful drain. Countless pet care business owners quit (or sell or just abandon) their business prematurely because

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they can’t stand the stress, worry and disappointments anymore. As we know, pet care is an extremely demanding business—physically, emotionally and financially. But now is your opportunity to realize the business you initially dreamed of. So, what does it take?

1. Quality Staffing The pet care industry depends on the people in it. Without good staff— and the right amount of them—your business and the pet care you provide will inevitably suffer.

A dedicated pet care team is important, but effective management is equally important. Are you confident your managers have the skills and training they need to turn your dream

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

business into reality? As your business grows, managers become increasingly critical. The most successful pet care facilities have multiple managers to monitor the quality of care, oversee and train staff, and keep operations running smoothly. It’s unrealistic to think one manager can do it all singlehandedly. Maybe it’s time to add, train or even replace managers as we start a new year.

If you’re like many other pet care business owners, COVID likely decimated your staff. And as the economy started to recover, everyone scrambled to hire again. As if finding good staff wasn’t challenging enough, you were competing in a historically-fierce labor market. Many business owners hired anyone they could get—which

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in some ways could be even worse than having no one at all.

Without quality staff: • Employee turnover increases • Employee morale plummets • The quality of pet care suffers • Your customer service falls short • Revenue and corresponding profits drop.

Do you have the people you need to propel your business ahead? Are you offering adequate pay to attract the best candidates in your market? If not, it might be time to re-evaluate.

2. Effective Systems While dedicated, skilled employees are a must, relying too heavily on individual employees is incredibly risky. The most successful pet care facilities set in place effective systems to provide the structure and foundation for growth.

Implementing good systems means having a set of tools, systems and training for employees rather than depending on one key individual. If you have just one employee who’s great at phone sales, what happens when your superstar isn’t there?

If you have one manager who excels at facility tours, will someone be able to convince touring prospects to book when that manager is on vacation? Can you afford the losses when someone is inevitably unavailable or leaves your company?

Taking the time to provide written procedures to ensure all your staff (or appointed staff) are performing tasks in consistent, effective ways is a wise investment. This means you’ll need to provide them the training, materials and information they need to succeed.

Where are systems useful and necessary in pet care?

• Answering new customer phone calls • Creating new client files • Differentiating your company from competitors • Giving effective tours • Dog training evaluations • Employee training • Providing activities to pets

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Increasing prices even a small amount can improve your incoming revenue, but the process is very delicate. When handled improperly, price changes can be incredibly destructive. But when handled well, your business will emerge significantly more robust and profitable.

And because you need systems, it’s critical to re-evaluate the software you’re using. If you’re like most, your goal is to have a business that not only provides wonderful pet care, but also provides the data and tools needed to produce strong revenue. If that’s true, you need a software program that allows you to track all the tasks taken to care for the pets, provide quality control to owners and managers, and accurately predict the labor hours needed to eliminate overstaffing.

3. Profitable Pricing Now is also a good time to consider necessary price adjustments, which will

allow you to pay for all the necessary changes you’ll need to elevate your business. Increasing prices even a small amount can improve your incoming revenue, but the process is very delicate.

When handled improperly, price changes can be incredibly destructive. But when handled well, your business will emerge significantly more robust and profitable.

Perhaps the most meaningful thing you can do for your pricing is examine your pricing model. Are you bundling playtime and nightly lodging together in one flat rate? This all-inclusive price structure is very common—but also extremely disadvantageous. Why?

☐ The price tag tends to be too large and imposing, especially for new pet parent prospects. These pet parents won’t even give your facility a chance and will likely turn to your competition. ☐ Believe it or not, you’re likely losing money despite the high nightly rate.

Even more difficult to grasp is that many pet parents happily pay more when given their choice of add-ons. ☐ All-inclusive facilities usually cater solely to social play, and a significant number of dogs don’t do well in a group play setting. You’re missing out on a huge amount of paying customers whose dogs just need a different play experience.

A much healthier price structure is separating the charges for overnight lodging and play. Not only does this reduce the overnight rate, but it gives pet parents the power to choose their pet’s preferred activities or add-ons. This is proven to appeal to a far larger portion of customers, and it’s also a better, more customized experience for the pets.

It’s important we forge ahead confidently into 2022, and this might mean not being afraid to make large, productive and positive changes!

Laura Laaman is president of Outstanding Pet Care. Outstanding Pet Care guarantees to substantially increase the revenues of its clients with its proven services. If you’re interested in growing your revenues, schedule an individual consultation with Laura Laaman or one of her team members. Call Outstanding Pet Care at 1-888-735-5667 or go to outstandingpetcare.com/contact.

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Leadership Meetings: Keep Your SOPs Alive & Grow Your Team!

By J e n n if e r W o l f-P ie r s o n

S

tandard operating

• Aid in thorough employee

following list contains the top

procedures, or SOPs,

• on-boarding and training.

eight real reasons I believe

can be hard to keep

• Help provide consistency

people leave the companies they

alive. Where in your facility is your big binder with all of

of care.

• Separate those staff

affected and improved by SOPs

the how-to’s? Is it on a shelf,

members who “don’t want

(except for the eighth reason—a

covered with dust? If it is, don’t

to” from those who “don’t

geographical change).

feel bad—just keep reading!

know how to.”

• Provide documentation of

The Importance of SOPs First of all, you just can’t overlook the importance of having SOPs. Having them will

policies and procedures.

the following ways: • Create clear standards of cleaning and care.

• Clarify your message to both employees and clients.

• Lack of trust • Not being appreciated • Lack of respect

• Increase revenue.

• No growth opportunities

• Decrease expenses.

• Feeling under-utilized

• Increase the value of

• Poor managerial

your business.

benefit your business in all of

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work for, which can be greatly

communication • Lack of support

Why Employees Leave

• Geographical change

You need to know why people quit their jobs. My first thought is that they think of it as just that; a J-O-B. But the PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Leadership Meetings Holding bi-weekly leadership meetings with your team helps

STOP

PULLING YOUR HAIR OUT!

Don’t waste more

Take the feedback and make

The benefits of having SOPs Create clear standards.

Clarify your message to employees and clients.

Aid in thorough on-boarding and training.

Help provide consistency of care.

Provide documentation of policies and procedures.

Increase business value.

TIME OR MONEY on employee training programs that

DON’T WORK!

Without proper, consistent training materials and resources, training new dog handlers

may be costing you $3,500/month.

changes. Even if it is small, make the change in the SOPs. Show your team that you want the feedback and that you will act on their suggestions. Your SOPs need to be a live document to adapt to the changes in current trends in pet care.

If you give your team this power, they will fully believe in the SOPs; and if they believe, they will follow them! Opening up your policies and procedures for critique and change shows that you trust your team.

you wrap your hands around two

If the procedure or policy is not

ever-present topics in our industry:

being followed, that doesn’t always

consistency of care and staff

mean you have an insubordinate

retention. Team buy-in is the one

employee. This solidifies your trust

way to gain control of both.

in their judgement, shows that you

As managers we are given

appreciate them and their feedback,

a unique opportunity to help

respect their opinions, utilize their

Does that gure take your breath away? It should!

shape our team members both

ideas and strengthens communication

That is your hard-earned money walking out the door every time an employee quits.

professionally and personally.

throughout the team. That covers six

For these meetings, invite your

of the eight reasons that employees

full team—not just managers or

leave right there!

Our online training courses

created by a current dog daycare owner-operator

will fast-track fas your new hires into understanding dog handling and

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supervisors. You’ll want to discuss three different topics: one topic from your SOPs, one topic about the

Business Topic Help your team dream by giving

business side of your facility and one

them some tools to start thinking

financial topic that will help staff

big. There is no greater compliment

in their personal lives. Collectively,

than helping another realize their

these will help you structure a plan

own dreams. Some of your people

to combat those other seven reasons

may want to be business owners one

employees leave their companies.

day; others may find new, creative ways to positively impact your

Policy or Procedure Topic Pull an item from your SOPs (not a

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business. Don’t be afraid of giving away “trade secrets.” Each meeting,

chapter and nothing too lengthy) and

present a business topic, such as how

review it with your team. Ask, “Do we

to read an income statement, keys to

do it this way?” If it’s “yes,” then great!

develop a mission statement, what

Go ahead and dig deeper; ask if there’s

payroll taxes are or the importance

a better way. Or maybe their answer

of cash-flow.

is “no” to the question. Then find out

Your team is likely doing the

why! Are they missing the tools they

math in their heads: $30 times

need to execute the activity? Was that

100 dogs is $3,000, and they are

item missed in training? Is there a

comparing that number to their

more efficient way?

own wage. What they are missing is

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Stay Updated!

SUBSCRIBE TO TEXT ALERTS TEXT BARKLEIGH TO 94253 In an ever-changing digital world, we know the importance of information being easily accessible. Due to popular demand, we have developed an SMS alert system which provides you periodic text messages* each month.

Be the FIRST to hear about: • Upcoming Events • Scheduling Changes • Discounts • Special Offers • Flash Sales • Promotions At Physical Events • Opening of Show & Contest Registration Barkleigh will text you up to 4 messages per month and only when we deem it helpful and important. *

how expenses affect the bottom line.

Educate them! To execute this, you do not have to have an open-book business. Take a few items from your P&L (same thing as an income statement) and talk with the team about its real costs.

Considering a remodel? Have them thumb through brochures of new enclosures with you and talk about the individual cost per room.

Another topic might be that when it is 113 degrees outside, everyone needs to make sure the back door isn’t “accidentally” being left open—a perfect time to share the electric bill and ask for input on how to reduce the cost. Considering adding a new product or service? Discuss the opportunity costs and barriers-toentry with the team as a whole. Make the decision together!

Again, you will find that sharing business topics that they would not otherwise be exposed to fills the need for all seven of the eight reasons people stray from a company.

Financial Topic Who taught you how to manage your personal budget? Were they a teacher or a parent? Unfortunately, you have team members that have not been given the tools they need to properly plan for themselves financially; whether it be a personal budget, managing debt, analyzing feasibility of a car note, or even how to start down the path to home ownership. We can be their mentors.

To close the leadership meeting, discuss one of these topics and send them home with a simple worksheet to use to apply to their lives.

There are two types of employees: Those that don’t know how to do things and those that don’t want to

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

There are two types of

do things. As a leader, you can’t fix

What’s stopping you? I know you want

employees: Those that

the staff who “don’t want to,” but you

to, and now you have a tool to help you

have complete control in aiding those

head in the right direction!

don’t know how to do

who “don’t know how to.” When you

things and those that

commit to lift people up personally,

Jennifer Wolf-Pierson, CPACO is

they will repay you tenfold. So, the next

a certified pet care professional

don’t want to do things.

time someone is late because they had

serving the Spring/Woodlands/North

As a leader, you can’t

to take the bus because of car troubles,

Houston area. Since 2016, Jennifer

help them build a cash-flow budget for

has served as General Manager at

them personally. They probably wanted

ABC Pet Resort & Spa and coach for

to be at work on time, but they don’t

Suzanne and Al Locker’s Pet Care

know how to make their ends meet

Facility Management Boot Camp. The

paycheck to paycheck.

Boot Camp program, in partnership

fix the staff who “don’t want to,” but you have complete control in aiding those who “don’t know how to.” When you commit to lift people up personally, they will repay you tenfold.

The desire for growth is not just

with Turnkey. Inc., a design, build

a professional one; not everyone

and consulting group, has helped

wants to climb the ranks and become

a wide variety of businesses get on

a manager, but I guarantee everyone

track, from start-up to maturity.

wants to be able to pay their bills on

For more information on Boot

time. So, help them build a plan for a

Camp or Turnkey, Inc., visit www.

new car or home.

petcarebootcamp.com or www.turn-

Spark your team’s interest, keep

keyinc.com.

your SOPs alive and GROW your team!

Everything that leaves your practice should have your name on it.

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BOLT SNAP

Di s coveryour

Succes s !

MAY 25

2022

B U R B A N K ,C A L IF O R N IA

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PLANNING FOR A

Tremendous 2022

By Annalisa Berns

E

ach day can bring its own challenges, so it’s important to plan out the year to stay on track.

Daily tasks and emergencies easily distract from the big picture. One minute it is January 1st, the next minute all the toilet paper disappears, and then before you know it the year is over; leaving you feeling as though you’re always behind and not accomplishing your goals. So, let’s get a head start on that calendar for 2022 to set you and your business up for the best year yet!

One of the most important things to schedule out in advance is a business yearly calendar with time off. Have an open conversation with staff about priorities and business logistics. Ask what employees want as far as time off.

Some might want as many work hours as possible, others want to match their spouse or partner's vacation schedule, or have other priorities. Ask each year, as priorities change over time. Instead of trying to guess or directing a specific schedule, talk with them and ask for feedback.

Mark it on the calendar, notify staff and customers. They

need advance notice to make plans.

Employee evaluations need to be scheduled and consistent. Part of the process involves getting feedback from staff and working together as a team for improvement. Leaving employee reviews to last minute or unintentionally surprising an employee with a review can cause unnecessary anxiety. There shouldn't be any surprises in an evaluation, because feedback and training should happen often and on a regular basis.

Price reviews and increases should be planned and communicated with plenty of notice. Reviewing prices and announcing changes in the October to December timeframe, with new pricing taking effect January 1st, is the most common approach in the pet care industry.

Some business owners prefer a strategic move with price changes before the winter holidays, not after.

Here are some other suggestions to help outline the year and keep you on track:

JANUARY

February

Focus on Planning

☐ Get taxes and bookkeeping over with as early in the year as possible. Waiting until tax deadlines creates more stress than the extra time is worth. ☐ After reviewing expenses, cancel any memberships, services or subscriptions that are no longer needed. ☐ Create or update accounting structure for 2022. Update labels, files, forms, etc. ☐ Schedule planned price increases. ☐ Review license requirements and deadlines and mark them on the calendar. ☐ Back up devices and make sure security is updated. ☐ Plan and post vacation calendar and dates when closed. ☐ Take a vacation! For some pet businesses January is a slow time. Take advantage of that for some well-deserved time off. ☐ Update the business website to reflect changes in 2022. ☐ Put important dates on the calendar like birthdays, reoccurring dates and activities including facility events.

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Focus on Marketing & Advertising ☐ Conduct a customer survey to get updated information on needs and feedback. ☐ Schedule promotional events for the business focusing on involving the community. ☐ Reflect on the daily business schedule for the past year and consider any changes to open, close, drop-off or pick-up times and policies. Promote any beneficial schedule changes to customers. ☐ Current trends in advertising are constantly changing.

Reassess current strategies, make adjustments and try some new ideas. ☐ Whether mailing out promotional postcards or hiring a digital billboard, mark it on the calendar. ☐ Plan your social media strategy for the year. Include pictures and videos of pets at the facility, helpful tips on pet care and keeping pets safe. Other content ideas include staff profiles, affiliate marketing, testimonials, giveaways or contests.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

march

april

Focus on Decluttering & Cleaning

Focus on Employee Ideas & Projects

☐ Tackle spring cleaning, including a deep-clean of the entire facility. ☐ Perform outdoor maintenance like resealing concrete, power washing, cleaning gutters and landscaping. ☐ Schedule repairs, maintenance and improvements that need to be done by a third party. Consider booking work to be done when the facility is closed for vacations. ☐ For grooming, send scissors, blades and dryers out for repair and maintenance before the summer rush. ☐ Inspect, clean and maintain heating units, hot water heaters, washers, dryers and any other equipment. ☐ Test water quality. ☐ Move any old files from 2021 to storage.

24

☐ Review and update policies and procedures. ☐ Review employee compensation and benefits.

Research if they are competitive in the local area and industry. ☐ Review promotional paths. Ask employees what they want in their future and encourage learning. ☐ Ask for staff feedback and ideas. Have an open conversation and follow as many suggestions as possible. People often appreciate being included in the review and planning process. ☐ Talk about individual staff interests and curiosity.

For example, you may have a staff member who also enjoys interior design and could be hired to redesign the lobby. Or, one with a hidden photography talent who could take photos at your next promotional event. ☐ Critically look at the work environment. Improve safety, performance standards, values and vibe. ☐ Review staff credentials, continuing education and training.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

MAY Focus on Work-Life Balance ☐ Track how time is spent on an average day. Review, reflect and update to spend the most time on the most important tasks. Be sure these tasks are in line with your goals and priorities. ☐ Conduct mid-year employee reviews with raises. ☐ Spend time checking in with staff about work-life balance. ☐ Take a working vacation and attend the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West in Burbank, California, May 2nd–5th. ☐ Set new, important and necessary boundaries. ☐ Review the three key symptoms of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and feeling ineffective. If you are feeling any of these, be sure to get help. ☐ Have updated professional pictures taken of staff, the facility and happy pets for your website and other marketing materials.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

25

june

juLY

Focus on Health

Focus on Safety

☐ Try a personal training session such a guest speaker to present on pet as yoga, spinning, weight lifting nutrition or health for clients and or boxing. staff, or give away magnets (with ☐ Invite a health professional to business logo) with emergency speak and answer questions to information for pets. benefit staff. ☐ Provide clients with science-based ☐ Offer employees free or discounted information on spay and neuter as memberships at a local fitness center. well as discount options in the area. ☐ See if your health insurance pro- ☐ Consider offering fun add-ons for vider offers any additional health pets to improve their mental and and wellness benefits for you and emotional health. For example, your staff. agility training, scent work, one-on☐ Try a healthy meal delivery service one walks, etc. Bring in a professional to reduce stress and increase better for specialized services. food choices. ☐ Go over the importance of intake, ☐ Update snack and beverage choices daily and exit pet health exams with at work to reflect healthier options. all staff, especially those grooming ☐ Offer something to clients to benefit and handling animals. In this simple their pet's health. For example, invite way, staff can help save pets’ lives.

26

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

☐ Review and update policies and procedures, including your disaster preparedness plan. ☐ Review exit routes, inventory emergency evacuation supplies and review dog-to-staff ratio for safety. ☐ Check fire extinguishers and alarms. ☐ Remind clients to have identification tags on their pets and to update microchip information after moving. ☐ Review and update property and liability insurance. ☐ Offer to check pets’ microchips and make note of the number in their file. ☐ Promote dog training services offered onsite or partner with a dog trainer to make this easily accessible. ☐ Educate clients on the importance of training pets to rest comfortably in pet carriers, crates and kennels. In the case of an emergency, they will be confined. ☐ Perform a full safety check of your facility, including fencing for damage or weak spots, exposed electrical or fence wires, chemicals, broken locks or gate latches, etc.

september

august

☐

☐

☐ ☐

☐ ☐

☐

☐

Focus on Self-Care Review retirement plans. There is still time to make changes to retirement plans and savings during this year.

Ask yourself, "What do I need to help me better care for myself right now?"

Do less or delegate tasks to others.

Review your staffing schedule to make sure no one (including yourself) is being overworked.

Let go of perfectionism.

Take time to rest, even if it’s just five minutes every few hours to be by yourself and clear your mind.

Spend time outside. Eat your lunch outside or take one of your favorite client dogs for a walk.

Take a day off to do something just for yourself.

october

☐ ☐ ☐

☐

Focus on Training & Education Review and update employee training education opportunities. Professional materials.

Pet Boarding Certification (PPBC) offers Conduct employee reviews, including a variety of online courses at www. self-evaluations.

PetboardingCertification.com.

Check out online training options for manag☐ Promote credentials to your clients so ers and supervisors to improve management they know the extra training your facility and communication skills. Consider looking has invested in. into training outside of the pet care field. ☐ Make sure all staff is certified in pet first Register staff for pet health and behavior aid and CPR.

AL S AR E PR OF ES SI ON YC DA G DO E BL EN T & CA PA CR EA TI NG CO NF ID

Focus on Relationships ☐ Implement techniques and methods learned in training to improve management and communication skills. ☐ Practice communicating openly and honestly—this is especially important with employees. ☐ Use technology to improve relationships. Set birthday reminders on the phone, send emails with words of appreciation, text a funny picture or meme and use video calls to stay in contact. ☐ Verbalize praise to employees, partners, friends and family. ☐ Prepare the facility for the winter season. ☐ For grooming, send scissors and blades out for repair and maintenance before the holiday season.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

27

Need a little extra push to get certain tasks completed?

TRY THESE TIPS: ☐ Willingness is the key to getting things done.

When willing to tackle a task, do it! Strike while the iron is hot.

☐ Get a business or life coach. ☐ Work together with a friend or business associate to make commitments for actions.

☐ Join a business support group on social media.

Put a tiny pebble in your shoe and don't remove it until the task is done.

☐ Ground yourself from something you enjoy until the task is done. ☐ Give yourself a reward for successful completion of the task.

NOVEMBER Focus on Gratitude

☐ Plan holiday cards or gifts for employees, clients and associates. ☐ Inform all staff of the holiday schedule for the rest of the year so they can make plans accordingly. ☐ Reflect back on the year, assess goals and achievements. ☐ Decorate for the holiday season and be sure to involve the staff. ☐ Make a list of 10 good things that have happened in your business so far this year. ☐ Plan any holiday events your facility may host, either for staff or clients, or both. ☐ Make a "Gratitude Board" at work and invite clients and staff to add to the board. ☐ Make a list of possible opportunities for the future.

december Focus on Finances

pet busines success let our experience take your business higher

TA K E YOUR B U S I N E SS TO THE

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AFFORDABLE

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28

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

☐ Make financial and item donations before the end of the year. ☐ Review prices and prepare for price adjustments to take effect January 1st. Notify clients of any changes in advance. ☐ Plan vacations for the next year. ☐ Create a business and personal spending plan or budget for 2023. ☐ Prepare and examine financial documents, including a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement reports. ☐ Prepare tax documents, including 1099-NEC, Form 1096, W-2 Forms, W-3 Forms, and state and federal payroll returns. ☐ Perform a full safety check, including fencing for damage or weak spots, exposed electrical or fence wires, chemicals, locks, gates, etc. ☐ Celebrate another successful year!

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PROFILE OF SUCCESS

Photos provided by Petropolis

PETROPOLIS: EMPOWERED PET CARE

By Kathy Hosler

30

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

“Nothing has had more impact on Petropolis than advances in the science of animal behavior. We have made it our mission to develop systems that minimize fear and stress in the pets we care for, while we empower them.”

I

f you were in one of the 114,000 cars that drive past Petropolis every day, you would see happy dogs frolicking in 33,000 sq. ft. of play yards, splashing in the sparkling streams that flow from the towering waterfall, climbing challenging boulders and playing on the trampoline. Every pet there is having the “best day ever” in the ultimate play area specifically designed for their fun and safety.

“After spending 45 years in the pet care industry, I have witnessed a lot of change,” says Dr. Paul Schifano, coowner of Petropolis, which is located in Chesterfield, Missouri and now has a new location in St. Charles.

“Nothing has had more impact on Petropolis than advances in the science of animal behavior. We have made it our mission to develop systems that minimize fear and stress in the pets we care for, while we empower them,” he shares.

Paul Schifano has been caring for pets since 1976. His mother owned a kennel called Silver Maple Farms and Paul became its manager when he was just 16.

All throughout high school, college and

-Dr. Paul Schifano

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

31

veterinary school, Paul continued to manage the kennel.

He graduated veterinary school in 1984, and in 1988, he opened the first Petropolis in Chesterfield, Missouri. Built from the ground up, it offered boarding, grooming, daycare, training, a pet store and a veterinary hospital all under one roof. Fast forward to 2020, and Petropolis opened a second facility in St. Charles,

Missouri. This location has made it possible to put into place the environment and systems that Paul had developed over several decades.

“It has been my dream to take all we have learned and use that knowledge to create the next generation of Petropolis,” says Paul emphatically.

To help Paul realize the dream, his sons Michael and Joseph are part of a

new generation of Schifanos that are leading the mission to empower Petropolis pets. Michael Schifano now oversees all Petropolis operations. Joseph and Jenny Schifano run The Academy of Pet Careers, the affiliated career school, which is expanding concepts of Pet Empowerment in all their curriculum. The school is located within the walls of the facility.

“At no cost to them, our staff members

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Joseph and Jenny Schifano run The Academy of Pet Careers, the affiliated career school, which is expanding concepts of Pet Empowerment in all their curriculum.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

33

can receive their Fear Free Certification,” says Michael.

“Our Academy brings in lots of speakers and our instructors are always working with the Petropolis staff sharing Pet Empowerment concepts,” Joseph shares.

“Staff members can also take advanced training through the Pet Empowerment Program,” adds Jenny. “And, there are a number of other courses we offer— veterinary assistant, dog training, groomer training, animal behavior, and more.”

To implement their empowered pet care system, everything at Petropolis has been designed to reduce fear and stress, and keep pets safe. Whether the pet is there for boarding, daycare, training or grooming, force is always the last choice.

Not every dog is accepted by the facility, however. Each lodging and daycare guest is evaluated to determine their level of fear and stress related to the services they are to receive. When a dog is determined to be a good fit, options for their care and the services they might benefit from are discussed with the pet owner.

“We explain to clients that lodging, daycare, training, and grooming provide opportunities to empower pets,” Paul shares.

“Our team is educated about the harm that comes from aversive techniques in pet handling. Instead, we focus on positive reinforcement as a tool that can prevent and replace fear and stress, resulting in a more confident and happy pet.”

Petropolis St. Charles sits on six acres. A spacious 33,600 sq. ft. building

34

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

gave Petropolis the ability to strategically design their facility to minimize stress and maximize a pet’s enjoyment. And that begins the moment a pet and their owner enter the facility. There are two private check-in areas in the lobby that enable pets to enter in a low-stress manner.

“Noise is a big stressor for dogs and cats,” says Michael. “Our facility was designed to dissipate the noise when barking occurs. The lodging is divided into nine main sections with demising walls built tightly up to the roof decking to minimize noise transfer between the sections.”

“Having numerous lodging sections gives us the flexibility to find the most enriching environment for each guest,” Paul adds. “Spending long periods in small spaces can be stressful for dogs.

That’s one reason our smallest rooms are a spacious 30 sq. ft. and the larger ones are a whopping 120 sq. ft. All of the suites have solid storefront doors to further minimize noise transfer.”

Some of the additional features that make Petropolis so unique include their grooming salon that is designed with a private bay for each stylist, and a separate

drying room to minimize noise, stress and distraction of the dogs. And, their cat hotel which is located on the second story to keep it separate from the dogs. The cat condos are a spacious seven feet tall and all the rooms have a built-in exhaust system which keeps a negative air pressure in each room. This prevents the exit of odors into the cattery and also minimizes the spread of airborne pathogens.

The sanitation and air quality systems were chosen to increase efficiency and to help prevent problems within the building.

They have a wet/dry cleaning system

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

37

Some of the additional features that make Petropolis so unique include their grooming salon that is designed with a private bay for each stylist, and a separate drying room to minimize noise, stress and distraction of the dogs.

throughout their facility which allows them to quickly suck up all moisture. This reduces humidity that can spread airborne pathogens and odors.

Petropolis’s heating and ventilation system has ionizing air cleaners built in.

The building has two separate quarantine sections with additional UV disinfection technology. If they suspect any of the pets to have a contagion, they can be quickly separated from the other pets.

It has been proven that exercise is a great stress reliever. When they designed the outdoor play areas, the Schifano family went all out to create a beautiful, fun and safe environment that the pets and their owners would love.

“We made the decision to invest a lot of money into our play areas that are visible to the public,” says Paul. “In our four large

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outdoor play yards, we created zones with a lot of different textures and play experiences the dogs can have. The streams and water features, hills, tunnel, and trampoline all offer unique opportunities for the pups to enjoy themselves. We also have 12,000 sq. ft. of canopy that provides lots of shade and plenty of space to play, even during inclement weather.”

“To further reduce stress levels, we have dozens of entry points—not just one or two,” adds Michael. “There are private play yards for dogs that don’t do well with others, and our numerous resting pens are a quick and easy solution to separate dogs who need a break from group play.”

These are just a few of the innovations that the Schifano family have implemented for the guests of Petropolis. It’s no wonder that the pet owners are eagerly embracing Pet Empowerment and the positive changes it makes in their pets’ lives.

“To integrate Pet Empowerment into a pet center requires a commitment from the top down. It requires a lot of time and constant education of the staff and the pet owners. Adding Pet Empowerment will increase costs to your business. But, in our experience, it has helped our business grow dramatically and has far offset the cost,” concludes Paul.

The Schifano family made it their mission to empower the pets in their care and to minimize their fear and stress.

Mission accomplished, Petropolis!

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

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WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! Only Available At: BarkleighStore.com • (717) 691-3388

THINK TANK

A

ll too often, we’re so focused on getting in new

won’t really know until you see it from their perspective.

customers and generating leads that we forget about the customers we already have. Once we convert a

lead into a customer and they start using our services, we

to go into the store as a shopper and rate the experience

tend to not give them much thought.

and service they receive. You need to do the same thing.

Find someone that’s not too close to you (a good friend will

We assume that they are having a good experience.

We assume that if they had questions, they would ask. We

be biased) who can walk in, ask some questions, sign up

assume that we’re meeting their expectations and delivering

and then come in for a day or two of daycare or board their

a good service. We assume . . .

pet overnight.

Then, ask them some questions. How did they feel? Were

Assuming in business is a dangerous thing. Your customers are the lifeblood of your business, so it makes

their questions answered? Did they really know what the

sense to spend some time and effort making sure they are

process was? Did they feel comfortable leaving their dog?

Have them rate everything from 1-10, and if they give

not only happy, but overjoyed.

The first step is to analyze the customer experience. You

40

You’ve probably heard of “secret shoppers” in retail.

That’s where the business owner hires an impartial person

anything a rating under 10, ask them what it would take to

think you know how the customer feels as they go through

make it a 10. This will give you some great insight into what

your sales process and interact with your business, but you

you can improve upon to make your service the very best.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Here are some suggestions to make your customer experience even better: 1. Improve your onboarding.

2. Over-deliver.

3. Surprise and delight.

What’s your process when someone first becomes a paying customer? In addition to just explaining how everything works and handing them some printed documents, I like to create an automated email sequence that explains exactly what goes on behind the scenes, what they can expect and how they can help make the experience positive for their dog.

As soon as someone makes a purchase, they immediately wonder if they made the right choice. Give them an unadvertised bonus right away to make them feel like they already got more value than they expected. It could be a bag of treats or a free day of daycare.

Everyone loves surprise gifts. Run regular contests for your customers where they can win stuff (good stuff they want, not swag with your logo on it). Or, look at who your five best customers are and send them something cool. My favorites are a framed portrait of their dog or a stuffed animal of their dog (yes, there are companies that do that).

You’re really only limited by your creativity. The key thing to remember is to make sure you are constantly making your customer’s experience a great one. If you do, then you won’t have to even worry about getting new leads. You’ll have customers who stay with you for years to come and who recommend you to all their friends.

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Fernando Camacho (Fern) runs Overdog Digital, a digital marketing agency specializing in working with dog daycare and boarding facilities.

He does private business consulting, staff training and helps pet businesses utilize modern resources to expand their customer base and grow their businesses. Fern is also the author of six books and is a speaker at national conferences and private events.

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41

CATS

, wil sprays that make brushing easier time a enable you to make grooming yo for ience home an enjoyable exper and for your pet.

How Often Should

Your Pet Pet Care Professiona

The Big Payoff…a Happy

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One of the most wonderful, car is to s things you can do for your pet a spe time together. Make grooming you bonding time between you and If you begin brushing while his be will is short and not tangled, he shor accepting of it. Start with very en the sessions and gradually length groom your pet learns to enjoy daily to r praise of Use treats and plenty . ience exper ing groom a positive Be sure to use the brushing tec ed to that your groomer demonstrat to B also see the pamphlet Learning ugh b Pet. The importance of thoro ing c followed by a complete comb be overemphasized.

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eeting the needs of cats

THE

at every life stage will develop a loyal client

base for a lifetime of boarding. A 3-6 weeks

Afghan eks fourto eight-year-old,6 we healthy cat has Airedale 4-6 weeks Bedlington Terrier

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4-8 weeks 6-8 weeks 3-4 weeks 4 weeks 4-6 weeks 6-12 weeks 12-16 weeks 4-6 weeks 6-8 weeks 8 weeks 10 weeks 6-10 weeks 3-4 weeks 6-8 weeks 4-8 weeks 6-8 weeks 6 weeks 4 weeks

ver en Retrie a Gold wider variety of cat parents 8-10 weeksto your er

boarding facility.

Geriatric

If you have a friend benefit from this pu please pass i

Elderly cats, approximately 17

years old and up, can be the most challenging for boarding. Oftentimes they always seem hungry and tend to

ctions • M #PS-2 Barkleigh Produ barkleigh.co (717) 691-3388 • info@

be finicky eaters. No matter how much Once It Is Removed, What Should I Do?

the area around the bite thoroughly they eat, they just can’t seemand toCleanse keep apply an antiseptic to it. If you wish to have the tick examined by your pet’s veterinarian

your doctor, wrap the tick in a damp paper weight on, so they may needorextra towel to protect it from dehydration (which

could make it very difficult or impossible to feeding sessions. Some owners want identify) and seal it in a plastic bag.

their older senior cat fed as often Is There as Any Way to Know How Long the Tick Has Been on My Pet?

every two hours. Senior cats also tend If the tick looks flat, it has probably attached recently. If the tick is engorged, it may mean

that it hascats, been feeding for an extended time. to drink a lot more than younger

The longer a tick has been feeding on your pet

(or you) before being discovered, the greater so making sure water bowls are chancealways that it will transfer disease. In many

cases a ‘bullseye rash’ will appear at the site of

a tick bite. be full with clean, fresh water should

feline

life

stages

By Deborah Hansen

42

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Proper Disposal of a Tick a priority. Many have medical issues Once the tick has been removed, place it in a sealed container or a small sealable plastic bag. and will need medication administered You can add a squirt of tick spray to kill it, or simply seal the bag or container and place it in

trash.someTicks need humidity to survive and frequently during their stay, the and

times fluids.

will perish without it. Do not flush ticks down the toilet. They can survive in the water.

Are Here to Help You These advanced-age catsWeTicks tend are to far too dangerous to ignore. Just

one bite from these tiny terrors could affect you

or your pet for the rest of your lives. Your best walk very stiff and it is obvious they

defense against ticks and the diseases they carry

is prevention. have sore and achy joints. Many will We can recommend tick removal tools and a wide range of the products you may need to

have limited mobility and usually protect your pets and their environment. Please ask for product recommendations that will

safelyin protect you and your pet from these tiny, will not access multiple levels their treacherous predators.

area. Multiple levels may even be a safety concern for these boarders if they are losing their sight or are unstable on their feet. It is important that your staff use all safety protocols

Keeping your Pet

Your Pet Care Professional Taking

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Your Pet Care Professional

When Your Pet Needs a Smoothie

care of your Puppy at home…

Lear ning to Br ush Your Pet Between professional groomings, you may need to brush and bathe your puppy at home. Your groomer can recommend and supply the equipment and coat care products that you will need.

She will also be happy to demonstrate the correct brushing and combing techniq ues that you need to learn to properly care for your puppy.

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Mission Accomplished – a Happy Puppy!

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Because you and your professional groomer took the time to introduce your puppy to grooming in a step-by-step, gentle, loving way, you made your puppy’s all-imp ortant first visit to the grooming salon a wonder ful experience that will help him enjoy being groomed throughout his life.

Askhave Youra friend Groomwho If you er could this publication, froma Copy benefit for pleaseofpass it on.

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• Mechanicsburg PA #PS-3 Barkleigh Productions h.com • www.barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388 • info@barkleig

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benefit from this publication, Sweet Succes s

Tiny fleas can crea please pass items. on. te huge p robl By working with your p et care professional and following their rec ommendations about products and their corr ect usage, and by diligently treating and protecting your pets a nd their surroundings, you and your pets can kiss

the ferocious flea good bye.

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Pet Care Series #3 J590

J590

5 Mechanicsburg PA 1705 .com om • www.barkleigh

Puppy’s First Visit to the Grooming Salon

The Ferocious Flea

If you have a friend who could benefit from this publication , please pass it on.

uto

groomer r your e them et looks

Your Pet Care Professional

Are there any disadv antages to these products?

Fleas have to come in contact with the product to be killed. T hat means that fleas actually have to get on , and could possibly bite your pet, before th ey die. There is also a possibility of skin irrit ation at the site of application.

If you

Photo by: Sherri Regalb

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Fle

a Free

In many areas of the country, flea control is a year round necessit y.

In conjunction with con tinuing premise control, many pet ow ners have great succes s with oral or topical pr oducts that are administered once a m onth to their pet. The y come in a variety of bra nds like - Advantage®, Frontline®, Revolution®, and Program®.

There are specific form ulations for dogs and cats, and most are approved to use on puppies and kittens six to eight weeks and old er.

Read and follow the i nstructions, making sur e to use the product that is specified for your pet. These products ar e extremely popular because of their once a month convenience, ease of application, and effectiveness. Most are

waterproof, allowing y our pet to be bathed, or to swim, without dec reasing the product’s effectiveness.

Also, keeping your pet flea free with this continuous protection, is far less costly than trying to eliminate an i nfestation on your pet and in your home.

cause any irritation to himself. Remem ber that his freshly clipped nails may be sharp and can easily irritate his puppy skin. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your groomer immediately.

ll at ou

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Geriatric

Cats from approximately 17 years old and up

Senior

Cats from about 10 to 16 years old.

Adult Cats from about four to 10 years of age.

teenage

Cats from about nine months to three years.

young

Older kittens from three to nine months old.

kitten

Cats from about three months and under.

with these cats. Some may need a

will be out of reach for extended periods

low-sided litter box or potty pads that

of time, you may want to find out their

will need frequent cleaning.

desire for the remains in case their elderly

Cats in this age range can also be very vocal, either because they are confused, in pain or have compromised sight or hearing. They are more likely to unexpectedly bite or scratch because they get confused

cat does pass while in your care.

Senior

Senior felines from about 10 to 16

and scared easily. These older cats may

years old may appear to act like younger

not enjoy a petting session and prefer just

adults but may also need special consid-

to sit next to a person. When they are un-

erations. Some of these cats may have

derweight and arthritis has set in, petting

diagnosed kidney or thyroid conditions,

may not be comfortable for them.

and may or may not be on a prescription

Having an emergency plan in place

diet and/or medication. These cats are

with the owner is important when

typically good with your standard cat

establishing your boarding plan for these

boarding plan. Frequently this age range

senior cats. Knowing if the owner wants

will do well on two meals a day, one litter

CPR performed, when the cat should be

box cleaning a day and your standard

taken to the vet, and what the owner’s

play/petting sessions. You could enhance

desires are in the event of a medical emer-

your program for this age group with an

gency and they cannot be reached are

extra petting session.

important to have in writing. If the owner

Adult

Adult cats from about four to 10

years of age will probably be your most common age group for boarding. These felines do well on a morning and evening feeding and water change with one litter

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teenage The teenage age range for cats is from about nine months to three years. They can be sassy, self-assured and opinionated. If they are boarding with siblings, the siblings may need a break from the teenager. This age group tends to have very few special considerations. A standard two meals a day works well. Water

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can be challenging as teenagers like to play in their water bowls, or are so active litter ends up in their water. Water bowls may need to be cleaned frequently. Also,

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they may need their litter box cleaned more often than other age groups. Out of boredom, teenagers have a tendency to play in their litter box. The more playtime and human interaction they can have, the better off they will be. It is very important to have multiple levels in their enclosure and time to run and jump. This age group is very active, and if the energy is not appropriately directed, it can lead to mischief.

young

Older kittens from three to nine

months will do best with more human interaction and playtime. Most are satisfied with two meals a day, but some may need three meals. Depending on how active they are, one or two water bowl and litter box cleanings work well. They need a multiple-level enclosure with lots of stimulation to keep their active minds engaged.

kitten Kittens three months and under will need multiple feedings. It is important each meal is monitored to assure the kitten is getting enough food. When a young kitten isn’t eating enough, it can be a sign of a medical concern and should be investigated. Water bowls need to be smaller and will often get litter or food in them. Water bowls should be cleaned and changed multiple times a day. Human interaction is also very important for this age group.

Administering Medications

TAKE CONTROL

Having your staff trained in how

to medicate and administer fluids and asthma inhalers to cats will be a huge asset to your business. Most cats will

OF YOUR GROOMING BUSINESS

not be tricked into taking their medica-

GROW

cats need fluids administered. Knowing

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tion. Knowing how to properly restrain and administer liquid, pill and inhaled medications for cats will be a benefit to your boarding business. Many older how to administer fluids and having an area in your facility where you can set up for fluids will help attract clients with special needs cats.

Having knowledge of the needs of cats at different life stages is the first

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step in developing a plan on how to accommodate the cats you service. Once you are aware of the needs at each life stage, develop a plan that meets those needs and work it into your business model. After your facility develops a plan, use your regular marketing outlets to promote how you cater to cats at every stage of life. When cat owners discover you meet these needs, it will stir up curiosity that can increase your cat boarding clientele.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Doggy Daycare: A Worldwide Trend

I

By Jen Phillips April f you’re in the pet care business,

the picturesque country.

you’re well aware that statistics show

most facilities recorded, with the UK in a

The average daily rate for Swiss

pet parents spend ever-increasing

close second. And, like the varying costs

pooches is £41.35 (roughly $46 USD).

sums to care for their pets every year.

of everything else between countries,

That’s double the typical rate in the

In the U.S. alone, pet parents spent

doggy daycare rates are no different.

U.S., which is $23.77.

1

$103.6 billion in 2020. And doggy daycare is part of this trend.

Geared toward pet parents who want their pups to have a safe space

2

The Doggy Daycare Report was put

Turkey is the third cheapest country

together by money.co.uk and shares

for daily canine care. It clocks in at

average rates at canine daycares around

£11.63 (roughly $15.68), yet, that

the world.

represents 75.6% of the Turk’s annual

to play and socialize with other

income if they put their pup in for

dogs, doggy daycare is a slice of the

full-time daycare! Percentage-wise,

9.7-billion-dollar pet services sector in

that’s a lot, which means part-time or

the U.S. Of course, dogs in every country

So, how does your area measure up with, say, Switzerland?

occasional doggy daycare is more likely.

Costa Rica is the next least

Budgeting aside, you’re probably

expensive country for dog daycare

daycares around the world offer

not surprised to hear that Switzerland

at £9.52 ($13). Yet, full-time doggy

playtime for international pups,

is the most expensive doggy daycare

daycare runs £2,285 ($3,076.63) per

because people love their pets no

option in the world. Maybe that’s why

year, representing 34.7% of the annual

matter where they live!

there are only 172 doggy daycares in

Costa Rican income.

deserve great care. That’s why doggy

48

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Hungary is the least expensive country at only £8.39 ($11.31) for a day rate or £167.80/ month (about $225 USD).

Proportionally speaking, The Netherlands is one of the most affordable doggy daycare options. The average price runs £3,891 ($5,196) for full-time, yearround canine daycare. That represents 14.7% of their overall earnings or only 8.63% for part-time care.

As a doggy daycare provider, you’ve likely researched your area, know your costs and set your rates accordingly. A

NYC doggy daycare will naturally be a higher rate than one in rural Alabama.

It starts with a good fit for the area. Cities have different constraints than less congested areas. The canine population often changes based on the location, too.

Additionally, what types of dogs you care for and the services you offer will vary. For example, some dog daycares cater to small pups in an indoor-only environment. Others offer extensive playgrounds for high-energy dogs.

As far as services, some facilities

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Average Daily Rates America: $23.77 Switzerland: $46 Turkey: $15.66 Costa Rica: $13 Hungary: $11.31 include a taxi service to and from daycare while others offer dog grooming and training services. After all, once pet parents trust you with their dog, they tend to want you to do everything dog related.

Besides knowing your target audience, your human customers will sing your praises when their dog returns home happy and well-adjusted.

It’s all about having the correct processes and procedures, well-trained staff and excellent customer service in pleasant surroundings.

As a doggy daycare provider, you’re in a great business. You obviously love dogs and want to provide them with a terrific experience. At the same time, doggy daycare facilities reflect their location in everything from types of buildings and services offered to price.

How does your facility compare to those on the other side of the world?

References: 1. Pet Industry Market Size, Trends & Ownership Statistics. (2021,

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americanpetproducts.org/press_ industrytrends.asp 2. The Doggy Daycare Report. (2021, Oct, 26). money.co.uk. https://www. money.co.uk/credit-cards/cost-of-doggy-

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daycare

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