VOL 10 • ED 1
JAN / FEB 2020
and daycare magazine UNDERSTANDING THE
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF PETS
WINTER
ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR DAYCARE DOGS ENGAGED
Profile of Success
Hope2K9 Foundation
WWW.PETBOARDINGANDDAYCARE.COM PHOTO BY MOUNT PLEASANT AVENUE
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
1
“We have had our K9Grass for over five years now
still looks great!” and it
KIMBERLY VAUGHN
OWNER OF RUFF HOUSING DOG DAYCARE AND LODGING
The ultimate pet surface. I work hard to provide the best experience for my guests, and I trust K9Grass by ForeverLawn to help maximize my facility’s cleanliness, comfort, and beauty. With over 6,000 satisfied K9Grass clients, ForeverLawn has helped me solve my most challenging pet facility issues. Here’s how:
No more mud Muddy paws and yards transform into clean, beautiful grass areas. Ruff Housing Dog Daycare and Lodging North Carolina
Cleaner, better smelling environment Odor and mess from pet waste is handled effectively due to the unique flow-through backing.
Increased customer satisfaction Clean, happy dogs lead to loyal repeat clients who appreciate the enhanced cleanliness and beauty.
Safe, sanitary facility
by
K9Grass.com
Yards and dogs are cleaner and safer thanks to built-in antimicrobial protection.
866.992.7876
Contact a pet surfacing expert at ForeverLawn today for your free K9Grass cost/benefit analysis.
The2 synthetic grass designed specifically for dogs!
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
LOOKING TO BUILD OR EXPAND?
SHOR-LINE QUALITY COMBINES BEAUTY WITH DURABILITY
ADD A GROOMING ROOM
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
SINCE 1927 3
STAFF PUBLISHER Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
and daycare magazine
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rebecca Shipman ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenn Barraclough
JA N UA R Y / F E B R U R A R Y 2 0 2 0
CONTENTS
HOPE2K9 22 FOUNDATION
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenny Thomas WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth PRESIDENT Todd Shelly VICE PRESIDENT Gwen Shelly CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / ACCOUNTS MANAGER Karin Grottola MARKETING COORDINATOR Alyx Robertson
FACILITY
UNDERSTANDING NUTRITIONAL
30
NEEDS OF PETS
46
SOCIAL MEDIA / PR Evan Gummo 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)
Copyright January 2020. 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
4
TO KEEP YOUR DAYCARE DOGS ENGAGED
Animal Behavior
By Ashley Caywood
30
6
5 Tips to Calm Anxious Pets
Business 8 12 18
Cat
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
38
Cat Training: Yes, You Can (and Should)
Facility
Two Important Pieces of Great Management What’s the Difference Between a Marketing Campaign and a Promotion? Slow Website Load Speed: Your Biggest Problem in 2020
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
42
Training Your Team
Industry News 52
New Products
Our patented technology kills, not captures airborne viruses www.cuenvironmental.com
In laboratory testing our panels killed bordetella brochiseptica by 99.453% in one hour. When tested against the deadly canine parvovirus we eliminated the virus in 30 minutes.
DON’T
let airborne viruses SHUT you DOWN or
ruin your reputation
visit www.cuenvironmental.com
Your 24"x24" panel can protect up to 500 sq feet of your facility.
Clean air for a healthier environment An affordable addition to your UV lighting and cleaning regime. Made for pet professionals, by pet professionals.
For orders and viewing our laboratory results visit www.cuenvironmental.com PET BOARDING & DAYCARE Cu Environmental Solutions, LLC Westlake, Ohio 44145 720-224-2872
5
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
T I P S TO CA L M
ANXIOUS PETS
P
ets are considered furry family members by most animal owners, so it’s a big responsibility to make sure they’re properly cared for while their owners are away. That means staying on the lookout for anxious pets, and knowing how to ease their nerves when you notice they’re uncomfortable. Since dogs and other animals are parting ways with their owner to be in your care, it’s likely you’ll board a few pets who are suffering from separation anxiety. Pet anxiety can stem from many different causes; however, the primary sources are behavioral and situational nervousness. Animals can also become distressed
6
By McKenzie Dillon
and apprehensive around other pets if they aren’t accustomed to that kind of setting. The cause of their anxiety could even be from a startling noise in your environment, such as vacuums or washing machines. Whatever the reason, here are a few things you can do when you have an anxious pet on your hands: 1. Play Them Calming Music There are particular chords and melodies in music that cause humans to feel more relaxed, and pets can be just as susceptible to calming sounds. It’s essentially music therapy for animals. You can find music meant to soothe an animal’s anxiety on websites
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
like Amazon1, or even on Spotify where they have several specially curated playlists for different animals. 2. Give Them A Nice Cuddle Dogs are considered man’s best friend for a reason, and, at times, a human’s physical touch is the best way to help relieve their anxiety. When an animal is anxious or stressed out, they can really benefit from something as simple as a loving stroke. Studies2 have shown they experience positive changes in serotonin, endorphin, prolactin, dopamine and beta–phenylethylamine levels after a session of gentle petting. The presence of cortisol, a hormone
responsible for stress, also decreases after physical touch. 3. Provide Extra Exercise Sometimes anxiety leads to pent-up energy in animals, and exercise is one of the only remedies for it. If your attempts at soothing an anxious pet with methods like music and physical touch don't work, try letting them outside for a bit of extra exercise so they can get some space and tire themselves out. You can also offer individual walks or one–on–one playtime as an add–on for anxious pets who might not be interested in group play. 4. Distract Them With A Toy or Treat Luckily for you, a dog’s short attention span can work in your favor, and you can distract them from their
anxiety with a fun toy or tasty treat. An anxious pet can also benefit from a dog puzzle, such as a dog toy with a treat hidden inside. It will keep the pet busy, give them a sense of purpose, and they’ll be rewarded with a treat at the end. If you need something more readily available, a juicy bone or chew toy should do the trick, too. (Make sure any toys, treats or bones are owner-approved.) 5. Give Them Time Alone  If all else fails, the pet may be in need of some alone time—especially if they aren’t used to being in a space with several animals. You can probably relate to the feeling; when you’re in an unfamiliar, crowded space and you just want to step out for some air. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for an anxious animal in your care is leave them in a
secluded area where they aren’t getting any stimulation until they calm down and feel ready to join the pack. References 1. Amazon. Calming Music for Pets. https://www.amazon.com/s?k =calming+music+for+pets&i=digit al-music&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 2. Health Benefits to Petting Your Dog. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ lifestyle/what-to-think-about-whenpetting-your-dog/ McKenzie Dillon is a blogger and sleep enthusiast for The Slumber Yard (myslumberyard.com), a reviews site that focuses on bedding products. In her free time, she likes attending music festivals, reading fiction novels and playing with her animals.
NASA DEVELOPED AIR PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY The most powerful on the market to date
Protect your facility from Kennel Cough, Canine influenza, Distemper, Coronavirus, Bordetella, Feline Calicvirus & other pathogens.
Prevent & Destroy:
Remove:
• Bacteria & Viruses • Fungal Infections • Heavy Odors
• Dander • Dust • Dirt
• Allergens • V.O.C’s • Mold
air-vacsystems.com 800-234-2473 We are so confident in our product that we offer a 60 day money back guarantee.
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
7
BUSINESS
2
T N A T R O IMP OF GRE AT S E C E I P
A N A M
T N E GEM
a Laama By L a u r
Being a pet care facility manager can be a very rewarding job, but it often comes with significant responsibilities. Managers are often responsible for ensuring excellent pet care—but that’s only one part of what makes a good pet care facility leader.
8
n
S
uccessful management depends on skills most managers unfortunately aren’t trained for. Everyone has different challenges, but there are some techniques top managers find universally valuable—here are two of them.
1
KNOW
YOUR GOALS
The human mind is like a missile. Give it a target, apply appropriate energy, keep focused, and it will usually hit its mark. Unfortunately, many managers walk around without targets. If a missile (or manager) doesn’t have a clear target, it will search and search until it runs out of energy and falls short of its true potential. Goals are generators of enthusiasm and targets for success. The first step in management
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
success is to know exactly what your primary goals are. No two managers will have the same set of goals, but there are certain objectives managers often want to meet. Regardless of the number of management roles in your company, each manager was hopefully hired with specific ambitions in mind. Here are a few important goals managers might set to improve their company’s growth and overall success: • Hitting revenue goal posts • Increasing pet nights • Maintaining a high online review score • Successful cross marketing efforts • A small missed call percentage Regardless of how many managers you have or what their roles include, success depends on knowing exactly what’s expected. Managers should take the time to consult with the owner(s) to determine their individual goals.
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
9
SERIOUS REVENUE
GROWTH FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS OWNERS OUTSTANDING PET CARE
is the authority in producing exceptional results for our clients. Our consulting and training firm helps pet care facility owners realize the revenues they deserve.
“ Looking back just the few short years we’ve been
with OPC, the amount of growth in our company brings me to tears. I’m not just talking about revenue growth, but growth in myself, my sister, and my staff. I now have an entire team of people working to make my goals and dreams a reality, and truly making the pet industry great. You have honestly changed our lives.” –Sydney Sjaardema, Ankeny Bark Avenue, Ankeny IA
SOME OF OUR MANY SERVICES INCLUDE: Proven Phone Training & Coaching
Profitable, Customized Pricing Analysis & Recommendation
Cost Effective Marketing Guidance
Constant Support Guaranteed To Grow Your Business
OUTSTANDING PET CARE UNPARALLELED SUCCESS, GUARANTEED GROWTH.
1-888-735-5667 www.OutstandingPetCare.com
Call us Today to Schedule a FREE, Private Consultation. 10
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
Goals should be qualified and, even better, quantified. A qualified goal is a description, such as good customer service, healthy pets or low employee injuries. A quantified goal is specific and measurable, such as an amount of doggie daycare attendees or a certain new customer conversion percentage. The strongest goals are quantified.
2
WRITE
IMPORTANT ITEMS DOWN
Most of us learn and retain information visually. This is true for dayto-day life and for official company policies/procedures. Effective written information leaves little room for interpretation, misunderstanding and forgetting. It’s a simple way to increase your and your team’s productivity— from simple written reminders to detailed instructions. Here are some ways writing things down can help improve management performance. Write Down Your Goals Now that you have established the significance of having clear, attainable goals, writing them down can make them even stronger. Posting goals in visible places will help you achieve them. If you don’t write them down, they’re just dreams. Post your goals in highly visible locations, such as on your work monitor, your door and even your bathroom mirror. Anywhere you’re going to see them, read and re–read them. Written goals will benefit your team as well. Ensure they know their goals and ensure they’re written down as well. Post them in the break room or by the time clock. Write Down Your Priorities Time flies, especially in the fastpaced, ever–changing pet industry. The best managers don’t have any more time
in a day than anyone else, but they spend their time focusing on—and actually doing—the most important tasks. Writing down and prioritizing tasks helps ensure you’re being highly productive. Whether you have a paper notebook or an app on your phone, a visible and sorted list of daily tasks will boost a manager’s productivity. Steps to prioritizing include: • Write down everything you want to accomplish, no matter how trivial it may seem. • Prioritize your to–do list with A, B or C, based on importance. Your A items are likely the most challenging and important items. Finishing them before the smaller, less urgent tasks will move your day and business forward. • If it’s not possible to perform a task today, ensure you set time aside and write it down on your schedule for the following day. • Most importantly—keep your commitments! At the end of the day, you can reassess your list and see which items you’ve crossed off and which need to be added to tomorrow’s list. It’s always good to write the next day’s to-do list at the end of the workday to ensure nothing slips between the cracks.
So, how do we shift your brilliance to others? • Take a minute to detail the 5–10 actions you’d take to clean the enclosure. • Include the supplies you’d need to be properly prepared, as well as where the supplies are kept. • Have someone else follow your steps to ensure they can implement the directions and ensure your new document details all the necessary information. • If there are steps you have missed, add them as you go. • Don’t forget to provide the expected time it should take to complete a task. • Provide quality control measures (so no corners are cut).
Being a successful, well–rounded manager requires certain skills and training, and a good manager is an invaluable asset to a pet care company. By adding these tools to your arsenal, you and your team will be even more productive. Laura Laaman is president of Outstanding Pet Care. Outstanding Pet Care guarantees to substantially increase the revenues of its clients with its proven services. One of our new services is management success training. 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 www. OutstandingPetCare.com
PETBOARDINGDAYCARE and daycare magazine
@BARKLEIGHINC
Write Down Your Guidelines One of the primary reasons a company might struggle with employee performance is a lack of clear, written procedures. Instead, the manager (and employee) makes assumptions. It’s best to manage any team with the mindset that everyone wants to do a good job. But does your team know exactly what a good job means and looks like? Taking a little time to write down your guidelines up–front reduces misunderstandings and clarifies what’s expected of your team members. Take cleaning an enclosure, for example. Of course, you know exactly how an enclosure should be cleaned and the steps you’d take to do it, but without clear instruction, is it reasonable to expect your employees to do it the exact same way? PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
11
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BET WEEN A
MARKETING
CAMPAIGN AND A PROMOTION?
W
hether you’ve run your pet boarding facility for one day or thirty years, you know there are a million details. You also know marketing is essential to bringing in consistent business. The businesses who master marketing enjoy more streamlined businesses. Yet, it can be confusing—or the list of tasks may seem tedious or over complicated. Take the terminology of a marketing campaign vs. a promotion. Do you know the difference?
By Jen Phillips April
12
Marketing Campaign vs. One-Off Promotion A planned marketing campaign is different from a one–off promotion. They have different goals. The campaign is usually more sustained with a longer–term goal in mind while the one-off promotion is just what it sounds like—a one-time thing. Marketing Campaign: businessdictionary.com defines a marketing campaign as “The efforts of a company or a third–party marketing company to increase awareness for a particular product or service, or to increase consumer awareness of a business or organization. A marketing campaign has a limited duration.”
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
Marketing Promotion (One– Off): If you were to run a one-time discount during a slow period, then that would be a promotion. It’s shorter term. Does it still sound confusing? Maybe this will help. You know how there are four seasons in the year? And how Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring each have their own holidays and weather–related events? You may already use some of these holidays to build your marketing calendar around. Or, you may have created new packages and you want to promote them over the next few months. For example, if you offer pet grooming at your facility and you want to boost consistent grooms long-term, then you may decide that you’re going to create marketing materials around the importance of monthly grooming. Your campaign materials may include: • Social media posts about the importance of good hygiene for your dog • Testimonials from happy customers • Meet–the–team photos/videos/ interviews • A postcard for customers to pick up near the check–in desk.
What’s your vision for the future of your business?
3 NO.
Questions to ask as you enter discussions with potential partners.
01
– Nicole Demoro, City Bark. NVA partner since 2017.
NO.
02
NO.
03
Is it the right culture fit for your team?
Are there flexible deal structures?
How comprehensive are the support services?
As you begin considering your options for selling your pet resort business, it’s important to find a partner aligned with your values, respectful of the individuality of what you’ve built, and equipped to grow your business, while your team and culture remain intact.
Because selling your pet resort is such a personal decision, you’ll want to understand what types of options are available, and to what level they can tailor the terms to meet your needs.
As you contemplate transitioning your business, you’ll want to know every aspect is covered. Seek out a partner with a dedicated team seasoned in marketing (including digital advertising and social media strategy), web development and hosting, client satisfaction surveys, IT, HR, accounting, taxes, legal, call centers and more.
Ask around to find out which buyers have the best reputation for caring for pets and the people who love them.
ASK IF THE BUYER CAN: • Make 100% cash offers with no finance contingency • Offer Joint Venture partnerships for growth and flexibility • Buy the real estate outright or lease from you
NVA has over 700 partnerships in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Our passionate, visionary local pet resort and hospital leaders embody NVA’s unique entrepreneurial spirit. We’d be more than happy to talk through your questions and concerns. You can reach us at: 888.767.7755 | NVA.com | info@NVA.com PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
13
PL AN YOUR CAMPAIGNS
weeks (or months) in advance and map out the content you’ll need. From photos to blogs to videos, what resources do you have, or what can you get access to so that when the time comes, you can plug n’ play?
You can slice and dice the content and the way you deliver it, but the intent is there; you’re promoting health and wellbeing through consistent dog grooming. You could do the same thing for socialization or training for the boarding and daycare part of your business. Set Your Marketing Goal With a marketing campaign, you set a business goal. Let’s say you want to boost your regular grooming clients by 10% a month and you plan the bulk of your content around that goal for one quarter. Knowing that you want to have 70% of your messages around the importance of hygiene and grooming means you’re staying focused. Focus makes it easier to generate content ideas for your customers.
For the next quarter, you focus on the importance of socialization and training. And so on. Over time, you can create marketing campaigns (and accompanying materials) for every quarter. Maybe winter is when you promote regular doggie daycare visits and the benefits of a happy, well–socialized dog. January is Train Your Dog Month so you can incorporate dog training tips. And Valentine’s Day is a built–in opportunity to shower gifts (like regular daycare packages) on your four–legged friends. But a one–off promotion is different. With a one–time marketing promotion, your goal is shorter term. It may be to increase business during a slow period. For example, if you see that your bookings are low over the next week, you may opt to
NOW SELLING PRODUCTS!
Products available for your facility: • Daycare Notes Dry Erase Boards • Dog Evaluation Forms my instructions
• Daycare Dismissal Forms
Name: Drop-off:
Description:
• Instruction Sheets, and more!
Collar:
Pick-up:
Name:
Special handling notes:
Description: Collar: Bath by:
Trip contact:
WN / NN / ✓N
Perks:
Other notes:
www.doggiedaycareconsulting.com
Food
HOUSE OWN
AM:
Lunch:
PM:
Amount/type provided:
Treats:
YES
NO
Special instructions:
Medications Pet name:
YES
NO
DAY
AM
NOON
PM
AM: Noon:
14
PM:
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
Special instructions:
Health check complete?
NO
YES:
send an email to inactive customers inviting them back in. Often a discount or some type of add–on is offered as an enticement. If you sell products and you have items that aren’t selling well, you may offer them as a gift or create a discount display. These types of one–off events are promotions and can help drum up business when things are slow. Hopefully, you can see that both marketing campaigns and marketing promotions have their place, though they aren’t the same thing. And with well–planned campaigns, you have consistent messages going out which help you get and stay booked. Plan your campaigns weeks (or months) in advance and map out the content you’ll need. From photos to blogs to videos, what resources do you have, or what can you get access to so that when the time comes, you can plug n’ play? Label everything clearly in a folder you (or others) can access from multiple devices. Google drive, Dropbox, Microsoft 365 or other products all work. The key is staying consistent so whoever is in charge of scheduling your content knows where to find it. If you decide to rotate four campaigns a year and keep them the same, then you’ll be able to reuse some of your content from year to year, even while you add new pieces to keep it fresh. When you take the time to create marketing campaigns, you’ll find it easier to be consistent. Your marketing will be a coherent part of your schedule and your business will grow. What will you do today toward your next campaign?
IS ODOR A PROBLEM IN YOUR FACILITY? Unpleasant animal-related odors are a common, daily occurrence. Managing them safely and effectively can play an important role in facility management.
Disinfectants and detergents alone won’t remove foul odor.
COMPLETE ODOR MANAGEMENT KIT KIT INCLUDES: • 8 oz Spray Bottle & Box of 80 ct Wipes of A.O.E.® (Animal Odor Eliminator) • 32 oz Bottle of L.O.E.® (Laundry Odor Eliminator) • 16 oz Bottle of K.O.E.® (Kennel Odor Eliminator)
SPECIAL OFFER!
• 22 oz Bottle of ODORMED®
Thornell can tackle the toughest of odors. See for yourself. Contact us for more information on our products to eliminate all of your odor issues in the kennel, in the laundry and on the pet.
SAFE – EFFECTIVE – EASY TO USE NON-ENZYMATIC IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
Go to www.thornell.com/petprofessional for an introductory special offer. For a free sample visit www.thornell.com/free-sample PET BOARDING & DAYCARE www.thornell.com • Email: william@thornell.com • Phone: 1-888-873-3442
15
SAM KOHL’S
Rake Superior
®
Now There Are The Undercoat 'r
TM
#710
THREE ROWS OF PINS PULLS UNDERCOAT OUT LIKE MAGIC
The Star
TM
#711
DE-MATTER FOR LONG & MEDIUM COATS
The Staggerd Shedder 16
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
DE-SHEDDER
TM
#712
Grows Again!
5 Great Rakes Introducing
O U R N E W E S T R A K E:
The Micro Shedder
TM
#713
SMOOTH COAT DE-SHEDDER
The Shortey
TM
#714
SHORT HAIR DE-MAT TER PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
BEST BY DESIGN
info@aaroncopet.com 17
WEBSITE
SPE ED
Your Biggest Problem in 2020 By Alain Parcan
When building your website, it’s important to accurately and personally represent
ranking factor for their algorithm. In
to a successful website,
other words, they admitted websites
which is why it needs to
that load quickly are more likely
be revisited on a consistent basis. Online users tend to have short
to make it on the top of Page One of Google than websites that load
attention spans, and if they feel like
slower. Not even a year ago, they also
your pet care
your website is taking too long to
made it known that mobile searches
company’s identity.
load, they may decide to call it quits
would be held to the same standard.
before your information ever ap-
What does this mean? In 2020, your
pears. Quick page–loads are the new
website needs to load quickly!
Your website is your number one marketing resource, after all.
18
U
ser experience is the key
normal for a successful website—a trend that’s becoming increasingly noticeable within search engines. Back in 2010, Google made it official that page load speed is a
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
What is “Slow” for Page Load Speeds? According to Google, a page that is “very slow” takes longer than
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
19
ten seconds to fully load. They actually
According to Google, a page that is “very slow” takes longer than
SECONDS to fully load.
prefer that your website loads in under three seconds, to be considered “quick.” It may feel like Google is just making up their own rules, but using page load speed as a factor to determine ranking is meant to mirror user preferences. If a user wouldn’t wait to view your site, it makes sense Google wouldn’t rank your facility’s website high on Page One. To find out how your Website measures up, Google PageSpeed Insights1 is a free tool that can provide you with
Pet Care Facility DESIGN • BUILD • CONSULTING
metrics as well as suggestions for how to lower your page load time. Speaking of… How Can You Lower Your Page Load Speed?
Our Experience Sets Us Apart!
Even though some strategies to lower load speed may require help from a professional web developer, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can go about doing it yourself ! Below are three simple strategies you can employ to speed your pet care website up a bit: 1. Optimize Your Photos High-quality images can really help
• Designed over 70 facilities, including veterinary hospitals • Built 17 pet care facilities • 27-year owner/operator of a Pet Resort!
a website stand out, especially when they show off your company’s facility and guests in great detail. There is such a thing as too much quality and detail,
DESIGN
• Architectural – Engineering
Plumbing Electrical Mechanical
though. The larger (and clearer) the image is, the larger the file, which takes more time to download. The key is to find the middle ground where the photo
CONSULTING
• Site Selection • Business Plan • Feasibility Study • Demographics • Operations
is sized correctly and compressed, but is still visually appealing and clear. When your line of work includes adorable dogs and cats, it’s hard to say no to adding tons of photos. You need to make sure those photos aren’t bringing you
Now Introducing! Pet Care Facility Management Boot Camp Hands-on training for start-ups!
This is where optimization comes in! Use your favorite photo editing software, or a free online service, such as Picresize2, to resize or scale down the file size of your website’s images. Optimizing
713-695-6846
photos is an excellent way to start speed-
www.Turn-KeyInc.com
20
down, however.
ing up your page load speed. PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
2. Keep Your Layout Simple
sure your website doesn’t slow down
Some business owners have long
your business!
lists of website features they’ve seen on other pet care sites that they would like included on their own. We’re big fans of creativity, but we have to remind businesses often that it’s best to keep things simple when it comes to website design. Every time you feature something like an interactive map, a rotating
can Reach Alain’s team at 888-381-6925. References
Alain Parcan, Director of Marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this
1. Google PageSpeed Insights.
article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of
https://developers.google.com/speed/
experience in educating businesses so
pagespeed/insights/
they can market themselves more effec-
2. Picresize. https://picresize.com/
tively. Market Hardware helps small pet care businesses compete on the Web. You
slideshow or a video, you require an additional “request,” which the Internet must make to display the site. The result is a dent in your website’s load time. One or two features won’t hurt you too much, but too many can be a big risk. When putting together your home page, identify the primary information you want your visitors to receive and make sure you only feature what you feel to be entirely necessary. This will prevent your page from becoming too busy, and it will decrease the time a user has to wait for your website to load. 3. Make Sure Your Web Hosting Plan Still Meets Your Standards Perhaps you’ve tried some of these strategies before, yet they haven’t worked. This may be a result of your web hosting
Dick with Ace, Ruthie & Gaston
plan (typically a yearly payment made to keep your site and its files on the internet). People just starting their pet care business tend to reach for more affordable hosting plans when they first create their website. A lot has changed since you first started your company, so it’s important to make sure your hosting plan matches up with where you are now as a business. It’s possible you’ve added numerous pages, galleries and other content that may be too much for your initial hosting plan. It’s no secret that people, especially online, tend to have shorter attention spans these days. Having a website that loads quickly is a great way to meet consumer needs while also setting your site
THE BEST NEW TRAINING TOOL ON THE MARKET FOR DAYCARE AND GROUP PLAY Created by the owner of Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts, Dick Palazzo, the Pet Shield is a gentle training tool that can be used in pet resorts to control daycare and group play. The soft design of the lightweight shield helps you safely PROTECT, SEPARATE, AND DIRECT PETS. The Pet Shield is used professionally in dog parks, shelters, veterinarian hospitals, grooming salons and pet resorts all over the country. It will decrease your medical injuries for staff and pets. The Pet Shield is also a wonderful family friendly tool to have in the household. This training tool helps control pets while teaching corrective behaviors, such as no jumping. MADE IN Learn more at
up for success for Google rankings. In 2020, all it takes is a little effort to make
PURR’N POOCH PET RESORTS Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
21
PROFILE OF SUCCESS
educate EMPOWER•SUPPORT 22
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
A By Kathy Hosler Photos by Lacey Michelle Photography
t Hope2K9, a lot of the work we do is to help prevent dogs from going into a rescue, even though we are one ourselves,” says Cameron Thompsen, President and Founder of the Hope2K9 Foundation. “We work to educate and support struggling owners whose pets have behavior or other issues. We try to get to the source of the dog’s problem, and then resolve it. “Our mission is to help stop the flow of dogs that are coming into shelters and rescues, and are ultimately unnecessarily euthanized or are just languishing and not living their best life.” Hope2K9 is located in beautiful Valley Center, California, about 40 minutes from San Diego. They have ten spacious acres, and at present, have a new kennel building under construction. “When we founded the organization it was initially a training–based rescue that provides trained,
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
23
“The services we provide are really about helping people
EXPERIENCE MORE TRUST, respect, and control in their
relationship with their dogs so their dogs can be included in more aspects of their life.”
– Cameron Thompsen, President & Founder of the Hope2K9 Foundation
WEB CAM SOLUTIONS FOR PET CARE PROVIDERS
Pets are a click away anytime, anywhere! We are the largest provider of hardware and live webcam streaming solutions in North America. Our webcam solutions can help to build your business by providing peace of mind for your clients.
CONTACT US TODAY! sales@onlinedoggy.com
24
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
adoptable dogs,” Cameron says. “When a dog is accepted into the Hope2K9 rescue program, it is fully trained before it is placed into a new home. That training can take anywhere from 2–6 months.” They have also incorporated a unique boarding program. The boarding fees are used to fund the rescue work they do, including training classes and socialization programs that they offer to the community. And the boarding fees are tax deductible for the client. There is immense interest in the group training classes that they hold on site. It’s called Hope4Hounds and is a key pillar of the Hope2K9 organization and how they fulfill their mission to help people stay the course, especially with difficult dogs. Classes are donation-based and open to the public. They have training seminars where other trainers are invited to speak. They also go into schools and the community to provide education and bring forward information about things such as how to prevent bites and improve behavior. These are ultimately connected to why many dogs are re–homed or euthanized. “The services we provide are really about helping people to experience more trust, respect, and control in their relationship with their dogs so their dogs can be included in more aspects of their life,” Cameron says. “It’s
very fulfilling to see the transformation in dogs that may have been slated for euthanasia as they become successful members of the family.” Hope2K9 offers overnight boarding to dogs of all ages, breeds and behavior backgrounds. They can handle many dogs that other facilities cannot. “A lot of people seek us out because
their dog cannot be boarded successfully other places because of their behavior issues. When a boarding facility is run by professional trainers, it’s very different than just having kennel staff,” says Cameron. “Our boarding environment is a lot like the average family home,” Cameron continues. “We place a lot of emphasis on structure and that’s the main reason why
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
we can succeed with a lot of the dogs we take in for boarding, training, rescue, and rehab. For example, we will have the dogs practice a down/stay in the dining room while we eat dinner. Then later we all hang out in the family room and interact.” They also board dogs for individuals who are deployed or have become temporarily displaced from housing so
25
“A lot of people seek us out because
THEIR DOG CANNOT BE BOARDED Successfully other places
because of their behavior issues.”
– Cameron Thompsen, President & Founder of the Hope2K9 Foundation
that their dogs are not at risk of being
because it provides a shade structure,”
a multitude of long–term benefits. It pro-
re–homed or surrendered.
Cameron says. “It also allows us to expand
vides all the electricity we need now and
and have access to solar all over our
in the future. Now, we don’t have to panic
shade over some training areas, and at the
property. Our outside enclosures can have
when we see our air conditioning bill.”
same time go green and save energy.
light in the evenings. Our solar setup and
Hope2K9 has a ‘cool’ way to provide
“We did an above ground solar array
our decision to move in that direction has
Hope2K9 offers shadow and mentorship programs. Trainers travel from all over to come out and see their programs—both for the professional dog training and also the non–profit aspect. Attendees learn how to get the results that Hope2K9 gets with the dogs in their adoption program, adopter compliance, and adopters staying the course and not returning the dog. These are huge challenges for the average rescue organization. With the mentorship program, people can get a taste of whether they want to get into the industry, how we set things up, what’s working, and what’s not worked in the past,” says Cameron. “We coach people and assist in burnout support. How you run any business is a reflection of your overall process. It really does come back to the core elements we preach about. We are helping people to step up, stay the course, and do right by their dogs. “We present lots of classes and resources, both in person and online, to resolve behavior issues that often result in a pet
Visit our website to see what other people have to say about the Prima Bathing System.
being re-homed,” says Cameron. “We have a lot of content available on our website, www.hope2K9.com. We provide video
26
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
27
tutorials and community support to educate people. “We look at social media as a way to give information and empower people to solve their own problems,” Cameron says. “Social media is how the bulk of people are attracted to our business. For us, it’s all about sharing tangible action steps and information about what we do and how we do it to build trust and familiarity in our prospective clients—and for them to feel comfortable about the training and activities their dogs are getting.” A lot of the content Hope2K9 is presenting is geared toward helping the overall community of rescue find a better way to function and create a more lasting change in the issues around unwanted dogs. Hope2K9’s goal to educate, empower and support has made a tremendous difference to the people and pets in their immediate area and far beyond.
28
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
NE W!
SOFT MEAT ROLL TREATS COUNTER DISPLAY
Drive impulse purchases Over $100 of retail value Easily determine product that needs restocking
Counter Display Size: 18" wide x 12" deep
You can make 50% margin! 7 oz meat roll = 140* treats per roll! (MSRP $3.99/roll) 12 oz meat roll = 240* treats per roll! (MSRP $6.49/roll) *Treats per roll based on cutting them in cubes of 1/4"
Where can you order? Order from your favorite distributor, or you can now order direct from our new wholesale site: wholesale.happyhowies.com or www.wholesalepet.com New to Happy Howie’s? Register your business to get access to wholesale product and discounted pricing! PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
29
FACILITY
TO KEEP YOUR DAYCARE DOGS ENGAGED By Ashley Caywood 30
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
I
f you’re like many pet care facilities, the seasonal fluctuations in weather have a tremendous impact on the way your operations run. Where summer may mean long days spent outside enjoying sunshine and warm temperatures, winter may mean short days snowed in with quick trips outside, trying to avoid frost bitten fingers, toes and paws. And with shorter days, your puppy clients may be getting even less exercise at home than usual, which can make your job all the more challenging. But with some creative thinking, winter doesn’t have to be day after day of drab and dreary. Here are a few ideas for burning off those zoomies, even if you’re stuck inside. Enrichment Enrichment is a common word you hear being thrown around in the industry. So what do we mean when we say enrichment? We define enrichment as interaction that gives your pups the opportunity to exercise their brains in a way that inspires their natural doggy instincts. Most of your pet parents want their dogs to come home tired from play. But we believe that’s not enough; it’s critical for each dog to have a balanced physical, social and emotional experience when they’re with us. As such, enrichment is an important part of a successful dog daycare setting all year round. But, in the wintertime it’s a particularly handy tool to have in your tool box. If you haven’t introduced enrichment in a structured way to your facility, you should start by putting together a list of standard enrichment activities that are acceptable for use at your facility. Activities we use include: • Nosework • Puzzle toys • Obstacle courses using play/ agility equipment • Follow the leader games Training each of your staff on how to properly utilize these activities is going
A to Z Solutions Empowering You To Turn Your Passion Into Profit
You Have: A passion for your business A mission to pursue A team to lead A budget to manage A service to provide your clients A LOT distracting you from building the business of your dreams
We’re here to help.
We created Zolvy to provide online tailored solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing you as an entrepreneur in the pet care industry. Our goal is to empower you with the tools you need to take control of your business, so you can continue to pursue your passion.
Let’s get started.
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
31
to be key to their success in your facility.
An easy way to make the most of
The more consistent an experience each
that indoor space is to build “up” with
pet can have from day to day and group
play equipment. Play equipment will
to group, the more likely it is that you’re
take the otherwise stagnant space of
going to see results.
an indoor environment and layer in
Giving your dogs the opportunity to
another level of play and interaction. It
exercise their brains as well as their bodies
opens up the possibility to working on
is going to do wonders in managing those
movement, challenging pups to figure
winter zoomies. And, bonus? It will facili-
out how to use each piece of equipment
tate their bonds with your team as well.
and play new games that could not be played in a fixed, empty space.
Play Equipment One of the obvious things that makes
You’re probably aware that there’s a wide variety of equipment—and price
winter a more challenging time of year
ranges—on the market specifically for
to manage dog play is that space is often
doggy play environments. A pet care
much more limited. It’s not unusual for a
facility is a dynamic environment, and
pet resort’s real estate to be heavily weight-
it’s smart (and cost effective!) to use
ed in favor of outdoor space rather than
equipment that can be configured into
indoor. When limited to playing inside,
an endless array of options to suit the
your space may be cut in half, or less.
ever evolving needs of your business. Arts & Crafts A few times each year you’re bound to have one of those days—you know
Celebrating One Year of Our New
the type; everyone is snowed in and has a snow day or is working from
PRO–SERIES
home—except you, because your work
MODULAR
never ends! But you’ll likely have a few
SYSTEM
open, even in inclement weather, to care
doctors, nurses and emergency personnel who are so grateful that you remain
PLAYGROUND
for their dogs because they still have to be at work, too! Have you ever considered an extra special art project for those special clients on a day like this? Admittedly, for most of us, it’s just not going to be a realistic option most days of the year when business is buzzing and attendance is high. However, on those days where the winter weather has most people hiding from the cold, why
New Connecting System•New Components•Package Pricing•New Features
PUPPYPLAYGROUND.COM
Playground Equipment made especially for DOGS!
32
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
not take advantage of the downtime by throwing in a little extra something that’s sure to surprise and delight your human clients?
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
33
Here are a few fun ideas: Dog Paw Print This one is as easy as it sounds. Dip a paw in some non-toxic paint, stamp the print on a piece of high-quality, heavier stock paper, add the pup’s name and voila! For extra credit, try layering the print on top of some seasonally appropriate printed paper.
Paw Print Bouquet of Flowers This takes the basic dog paw print to another level. Stamp the dog’s paw on a piece of paper a few times— these are going to be the blooms. Paint in some leaves and stems, and you’re as good as Georgia O’Keeffe!
• • • • • •
Perfect for start-up businesses, general managers & department managers 1-on-1 training for pet care operations & facility management All curriculum is personalized for your needs Training is conducted in Houston at the ABC Pet Resort & Spa campus Courses taught by professionals with Going to Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo? years of experience in our industry Stop by our booth! 2, 3 & 5-day programs available FOR MORE INFORMATION:
jennifer@abcpetresort.com (281) 444-9414
34
www.abcpetresort.com
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
35
Diy Doggy Scarf Over the top? Yes. But will you get some giggles from surprised clients? Absolutely! Buy a few yards of cute printed fleece at your local craft store. Cut a long rectangular scarf shape based on the size of the dog. Cut a slit about 1/3 of the way from one of the short ends of the scarf. You’ll loop the other end of the scarf through this slit to help hold the scarf in place when the dog goes bounding out to show off his or her new look. Bonus points if the scarf is in your brand’s colors! Are these art projects something you’ll want or be able to incorporate in the normal course of business? Probably not. But they are a fun way to demonstrate a little extra love and warmth on those few days of the year when you have the time to show off your creativity. And don’t forget to stamp your business’s logo on those masterpieces, as they’re likely to be hung on proud parents’ fridges all over town! The days are short, but that doesn’t mean that winter fun has to be. With a little creativity, you can maintain those sunny summer vibes all year round.
NATURAL DOG PARK PRODUCTS
GymsForDogs.com sales@GymsForDogs.com 800-931-1562 36
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
Ashley Caywood is managing partner at Zolvy.com, empowering pet care entrepreneurs to take control of their business so they can continue to pursue their passion. Zolvy provides targeted solutions for the behind-the-scenes challenges facing business owners every day. In addition to her work with Zolvy, Ashley is founder and co-owner of Roscoe’s Bed + Bark in Portland, ME, the city’s first 24/7 supervised dog daycare, growing it to seven figure revenues in less than three years. Ashley holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Boston University.
WWW.AQUAAIR-WETDRY.COM PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
37
CATS
YOU CAN
By Steven Appelbaum
38
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
I
t is common knowledge that dogs
Now, let’s look at the cat picture.
can be trained to do extraordinary
Three point four million cats enter
things. Certainly most owners
animal shelters per year and 1.4 million
expect their dogs to learn some basic
are euthanized each year. Yet for many,
commands, and with a little patience and
many years there was little discussion
perseverance, owners also hope to ad-
of training. Now as people are realizing
dress a variety of behavioral challenges.
cats are trainable and professional cat
According to Statista.com1, there are
trainers are appearing, this trend is
an estimated 89.9 million dogs in the
finally changing—which is great news!
United States. This partially explains
Cats are extremely trainable. The
why the pet industry is so massive; how
key is understanding what motivates
dog trainers can make a full–time living
them and being clear on what types of
training dogs and why businesses like
behaviors they need to learn. When peo-
boarding facilities have been working
ple think about training, most visualize
with dog trainers for decades. It’s also
obedience. This is where you lose some
why pet groomers and dog trainers
of them. After all, can you teach a cat to
should work together to create recipro-
walk on a leash? If yes, what’s the point?
cal referral relationships. Yet, there is another animal kept as a
m
CATS IN THE USA
m
CATS ENTER
SHELTERS PER YEAR
The truth is that cats can learn to walk on a leash, and being able to take
pet in this country that outnumbers dogs.
them on walks allows you to give them
Again, according to Statista.com2, there
exercise and get them used to respond-
are 94.2 million cats in the United States.
ing to you in public. However, most
While cats may outnumber dogs,
THERE ARE
owners are less interested in teaching
when it comes to perceptions about
them obedience than they are in ad-
feline trainability, people have very
dressing behavior problems, including
different ideas. Common sentiments
such behaviors as litter box training,
m
EUTHANIZED EACH YEAR
regarding cat training include: “You can’t train cats!”, “They don’t care about pleasing you”, “They’re not like dogs” and “What would you even train a cat to do?” This perception is costly for cats and the people who love them. Shelter and rescue statistics illustrate part of the challenge. Roughly 3.9 million dogs wind up in shelters each year in this
Your Customer UP Service Game!
Wanna pick Phillip’s brain for an hour? Need crisis management ASAP? Need quick advice about an office, pet or business issue?
country. Many shelters have working
Phillip will answer all your questions!
relationships with dog trainers, and
Simply Complete the Online Form!
some even have training classes on site. Dog shelters have long understood the relationship between training and adoptability, not to mention reduced recidivism. Training helps dogs get
Let our experience take your business higher!
adopted and stay in their forever homes. In some cases, it can prevent them from
www.PhillipParisConsultants.com
winding up in shelters in the first place.
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
39
Many cat owners find it difficult, if not impossible, to take their cats to the veterinarian, groomer or boarding
animal trainer and founder of Animal Behavior College (ABC), a vocational
facility because they can’t get them in a crate. This is a
school specializing in animal career
perfect example of a teachable behavior.
for people interested in becoming pet
scratching furniture, accepting other cats and dogs, spraying and learning to go in a crate. This last one is critical. Many cat owners find it difficult, if not impossible, to take their cats to the veterinarian, groomer or boarding facility because they can’t get them in a crate. This is a perfect example of a teachable behavior. For many cat owners, a well–trained feline is simply one who goes to the litter box, gets along with other pets in the home, doesn’t damage furniture, travels easily and comes when called. Every one of those behaviors is teachable! This is relevant to anyone who offers
40
Steven Appelbaum is a professional
boarding or grooming for cats. Start to search for cat trainers. Once you find them, reach out to them and begin to develop relationships in which all parties refer clients to each other. When done properly, such relationships are
training programs. ABC offers courses groomers, dog trainers, cat trainers, veterinary assistants and aquatics management specialists. They will be introducing a zookeeper assistant program in 2019. The school also teaches a variety of continuing education programs on subjects including; pet nu-
beneficial to all—and your cat–loving
trition, pet massage, dog walking, pet
clients will thank you!
sitting and training shelter dogs. Aside
References:
from managing ABC, Appelbaum works as a freelance author, lecturer
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/198100/
and pet business consultant. For more
dogs-in-the-united-states-since-2000/
information about Animal Behavior
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/198102/
College, please visit the website at
cats-in-the-united-states-since-2000/
www.animalbehaviorcollege.com
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
How do you protect the pets in your care and your staff from airborne disease? PetAirapy kills more than 99.9% of airborne and surface pathogens, and controls odors 24/7. Infectious pathogens can live in the air for extended periods of time. Our proprietary Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI aka UV-C) technology disinfects and sanitizes everywhere germs are found. PetAirapy prevents and destroys dog flu, canine cough, distemper, parvovirus, and more. We are dedicated to air cleaning exclusively for the animal care industry and custom solutions for your particular needs.
Ask For Our Studies EFFECTIVE AND RECOMMENDED FOR:
• Boarding and Daycare Facilities • Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals • Grooming Salons • Mobile Units • Shelters
Upper Air Systems
• University studies and EPA-approved laboratory testing show PetAirapy systems can eliminate 99% of pathogens in the air and at the source. • Field study from the Arizona Humane Society shows an 87.3% URI reduction in kitten nursery installed with PetAirapy.
Mobile Service Systems
Whole Building Systems
Surface Disinfectant Systems
For details on products, studies, and testing – just ask!
1-866-994-2473 PetAirapy.com/pbd PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
41
FACILITY
YOUR By Teena Patel
The significance of staff training cannot be overstated; it is one of the most important components of growth and development of a successful dog daycare or boarding program, whose focus is on providing more than just supervision.
D
oggie daycare programs are evolving rapidly, and as their focus becomes
No matter who you speak to in our industry, whether a small doggie
more behavioral, owners of doggie
daycare averaging 15-30 dogs a day or
daycares and boarding facilities seek
a large doggie daycare averaging 150-
to provide their dogs with more mean-
200+ dogs per day, it's not uncommon
ingful stimulation in an attempt to
to hear them describe their new-hire
defeat boredom and keep high-energy
training process as “on-the-job training”.
dogs from “bouncing off the walls.” Regardless of the type of interven-
While the initial investment of time and loss of money can be huge, this is
tion, with the focus becoming more
a temporary sacrifice and well worth
and more centered around the “whole
it for adopting a proper, step-by-step,
dog”, staff training has to become an in-
sequential staff-training plan.
tegral part of enhancing your program.
We take for granted that our
Educating your team is a respon-
subjects want to learn; that they are
sibility in and of itself. There are no
eager for our assistance. But without
shortcuts around this. Many people
a careful and considerate approach to
try, and even avoid the process entirely,
facilitate learning, members of your
but there is no getting out of this
team are likely to experience anxiety,
commitment if you want to decrease
lack confidence, become frustrated and even defensive.
staff turnover, build a rock star team
42
and lessen your responsibilities.
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
PetExec + PetExec Mobile App
Imagine the Paws-Abilities MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR PET DAYCARE BOARDING • GROOMING TRAINING • RETAIL OTHER SCHEDULED SERVICES
• Cloud based, powerful, and fast. • Support by phone, chat, or email by our USA team. • Paws On Board Coaching gets your paws on the right track fast. • PetExec Mobile app for pet parents with scheduling, messaging, web camera access, contracts, and so much more. • Customer portal for pet parents saves your staff hours of work. • Automatic emails generated for appointment confirmations, reminders, new owner greetings, and receipts. Text reminder options are available as well. • Report card functionality. • Integrated credit card processing and recurring billing.
PetExec.net Facebook/petexec Rather Bark? 1(888) 738-3935
• Log in from any device (computer, smart phone, or tablet). DEMO PETEXEC TODAY
Get your paws on the future. Join our pack! PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
43
Here are five preliminary questions
Think of each team member as a
you can ask yourself as you evaluate
gear; each gear functions in a particular
the efficacy of your new–hire on–
way, doing specific things that help
boarding regimen:
move all the other gears, giving us the
1. Do you have a plan?
momentum to do more, offer more.
2. What does it entail?
Think of each team member as a gear; each gear functions in a particular way,
3. How long is your new hire training program/protocol? 4. Ultimately, after the training, what will this prepare your new hire for? 5. Will what they have learned be fulfilling for your needs and
1. Who will be responsible for your new hires’ learning? 2. When and how will you evaluate their learning as well as your teaching?
your team’s needs?
doing specific things that help move all the
Now you are ready to address the next two big questions:
Training your team and not leaving It is imperative that each member of
them under–resourced is truly the most
your team fully understands their role
powerful and impacting contribution
and that role’s relevance to your goal.
to growth. And, it’s an important way
the momentum to do
Then, it becomes very clear for them to
to honor the people who bring your
more, offer more.
focus on the why, and develop proficien-
vision to life by helping them grow in
cy in the how (in time, with training).
confidence, aptitude and leadership.
other gears, giving us
ON THE FENCE
K-9 II & K-9 III
WITH FENCING?
BLOWER-DRYERS now both available in
VARIABLE SPEED!
When it comes to keeping play yards safe, secure and inviting there’s no better guide! “Boarding Kennels: The Design Process,” features color photos, helpful diagrams, blueprints, glossary and more! Protect your fence from wind
and lateral forces. This
fence uses plantings for screening.
they must be strong enough not to bend. Like for a wood fence, horizontal members must be kept low and high to prevent acting as steps, providing a foot hold and aiding a dog in climbing the fence.
• MASONRY & CONCRETE Masonry is a good choice for an outdoor fence. A split–face block and staggered or offset blocks are good choices too for sound absorption. I don’t like to use masonry for kennel enclosures because it is very high maintenance. Masonry is porous and a finish must be applied and maintained unprotected are more susceptible to it isand where urine wind loads keep water from getting inside placed The building code identifies the local forces the lateral The down. being blown to Out–of–doors, your specific area wall. this is not as critical open–type and the wind exposure loads for as rain are substantial, even for an fenceaway be designed for willon wash any signs of urine. can pass of the country. All fences should like chain link, where some wind fence A fence is more A masonry fence should cantilevered these loads as a minimum guide. designed,fence as is through. In a wind storm, a be outside of the required, to prevent need to easily protected from the wind if located feet high canThe wind six to eightturn–over. load behind a building on astanding solid fenceforces per lineal path of direct wind, for example, like pounds this can 500–1000 of be substantial, lateral and large trees, the resist footingmore, in the wind. or swale, or where heavy vegetation, betoable keeptostanding resist that load. The foot or mustjust out in the open footing etc., help to break the wind. Those will prevent any dogs from tunneling out as well. The masonry voids, or cells, should be grouted solid with concrete 144 Boarding Kennels: The Design Process and rebar that is turned into the footing and sized for the application intended as engineered. Bond beams and control joints should be used according to the engineer’s design and local practices. The top of the wall should be tapered to shed water or melting snow. A cast–in–place concrete fence would use a similar structural design.
Manufacturers of the World’s Finest Animal & Industrial Vacuums, Blowers & Dryers Osseo, WI 54758 • 1-800-456-9821
GET IT TODAY
148
www.electriccleaner.com 44
• PVC & PLASTIC In the last ten years or so, PVC and other type of plastics have been appearing in the fence industry. The biggest reason is low maintenance. The surface can be in many configurations, even solid panels, which would be hard for a dog to scale. Often, the sun will deteriorate or discolor certain types of plastics making them brittle. Check with the fence company to be sure the material you choose will hold up over time. As noted before, some plastic fences are reinforced by wood posts. Wood fences, or wood used to reinforce a fence will deteriorate over time.
Boarding Kennels: The Design Process
WWW.BARKLEIGHSTORE.COM
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
LET THERE BE LIGHT Anti-Microbial UV Light Oven Pro Sanitizer Kills 99.99% of Germs on Grooming Tools Quickly & Efficiently • No Mess • Save Time • No Liquids • Use Between Dogs
www.ToolKlean.com PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
45
ANIMAL HEALTH
UNDERSTANDING THE
NUTRITIONAL
NEEDS OF PETS BY PROFE S SIONAL
PET BOARDING CERTIFICATION Professional Pet Boarding Council
Both dogs and cats need
Prescription Diets
diets made up of proteins,
Major pet food manufacturers offer prescription diets for the treatment of certain illnesses and disorders CERTIFIED in pets. Examples of health issues that may be treated with specially–formulated prescription diets are: • Kidney disease • Liver disease • Inflammatory C bowel E R Tdisease I F I C A T I ON • Diabetes • Bladder stones or bladder inflammation • Heart failure • Arthritis • Cancer • Dental tartar and gingivitis • Overactive thyroid • Food allergies If a pet in your care is on a prescription diet, you should take care to make sure it gets the proper food. If a pet receives a food other than its prescription food, it could suffer a relapse or worsening of its illness. Pet care facility owners often require that owners with pets on such a diet bring food from home for use during the pet’s stay.
carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water; however, they have different nutritional needs and should not be fed the same formulation. In addition, there are different nutritional needs depending on the pet’s age (puppy, adult, senior), pregnant or nursing, breed, size and health status. Pets may need to be on prescription diets for health issues, weight management diets or lowallergy diets.
46
Feeding The Right Proportions In addition to providing a well–balanced diet, part of your responsibility to the pets in your care will be to provide that diet in the proper proportions. Weight management of a client’s pet can sometimes be a very PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
47
The Overweight or Obese Pet An average Chihuahua should weigh around
6 LBS.
If a chubby Chihuahua weighs
12 LBS.
(6 lbs overweight), that is equivalent to an average human woman (5’4” tall) being
145 pounds overweight!
difficult job. If diet instructions say to feed, for example, “2 cups in the morning,” that means two level cups, not heaping cups. In addition, the cup should be a standard 8 oz. cup that would be used in baking, not a coffee cup, scoop or giant soda cup from the convenience store.
The Overweight or Obese Pet Just as human Americans are likely to be overweight or obese, so are our pets. No one wants to hear that their pet is morbidly obese, or that the special treats they so lovingly provide their pet could be harmful. Discussing obesity with pet parents should be done respectfully, without placing blame. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (https://petobesityprevention. org/) has good information for pet parents and pet care facility staff members. For example, an average Chihuahua should weigh around 6 pounds. If a chubby Chihuahua weighs 12 pounds (6 pounds overweight), that is equivalent to an average human woman (5’4” tall) being 145 pounds overweight! The Pet Obesity Prevention website also has calorie contents for many commercial dog and cat food brands. Different brands vary considerably— from 250 to 500 calories per cup!
The Special Cases Occasionally you will lodge a pet that needs to gain weight, although this is not as common. Some pets arrive at their proper weight, yet experience a change of eating habits due to the change in environment. In addition to providing these pets with extra attention in an effort to get them to enjoy the experience, you will need to make certain that they get adequate nutrition. In both of these cases, you may need to get a little creative to entice them to eat. 48
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
ANIMAL CARE FLOORING BY THE ANIMAL CARE EXPERTS
INVESTMENTS SO SOUND YOU CAN WALK ON THEM!
Our seamless, low maintenance surfaces are easy to care for and perfect for both large and small animals.
DECORATIVE HYGIENIC
SLIP RESISTANT FLOORS
DURABLE & MAINTENANCE FRIENDLY
Achieve the look, functionality and return on investment you want and need! CONTACT US TODAY! 937-780-1075 info@permatekcoatings.com
www.AnimalCareFlooring.com
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
49
Food Allergies Food allergies are common in pets as well as humans. In pets, food allergies most commonly cause skin symptoms (hair loss, itching, ear infections and rashes) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite). Pets, like people, can be allergic to anything in their food or environment, but the most common food allergens for pets are chicken, beef, dairy, egg and wheat. Food allergies are diagnosed with a “diet trial,” meaning that a hypoallergenic (low allergy) diet is fed exclusively for 8–12 weeks or more. Once stabilized on a food that does not cause an upset to the pet’s system, it is imperative that their diet be maintained. Even a single bite of a regular food to which the pet is allergic could cause a flare–up of symptoms. There are two main strategies for the design of hypoallergenic prescription diets. Some hypoallergenic diets, called “novel
protein,” utilize a major protein source that is different than the pet has previously eaten. Most commonly–fed over–the– counter diets contain beef, chicken and/or lamb, so hypoallergenic diets eliminate those animal proteins and use more unusual proteins. Examples are fish, rabbit, venison and even kangaroo meat! The novel protein foods also use non–corn and non–wheat carbohydrate sources, including green pea and sweet potato. Other hypoallergenic diets, called “hydrolyzed,” are treated so that the proteins and carbohydrates are broken up into such tiny pieces that the immune system “ignores” them, although they still provide all the nutrition the pet needs.
to sustain life. WATER. Although it contains no nutritional value, without it a pet will die. In fact, going without water will more rapidly cause serious side effects than going without food will. All pets should be provided an ample supply of fresh, clean water. Be careful to ensure that water bowls are clean and free of detergent residue. However, if a dog is to quickly lap down water, it can cause stomach upset and vomiting. In rare cases, drinking a very large amount of water can cause life– threatening electrolyte imbalances (cause water toxicosis). This can especially be seen in young dogs drinking water from a pool or hose. Some illnesses will cause a dog to drink excessively, such as diabetes
The Basic Element of Survival
and kidney disease, so the water should not be limited. If a dog tends to gulp
Last, but certainly not least—in fact, the most important after oxygen—is an element every living thing needs
down water too fast, you can try to slow it down by using multiple small bowls or putting ice in bowls to melt slowly. As humans become much more health and nutrition savvy, it’s not
Dog Kennel Floors
surprising we are making the same attempt with our pets. In today’s
Solving Your Concrete Kennel Floor Problems
health–conscious society, it’s no wonder pet foods abound in every size, shape and variety imaginable. Yet, not all are created equal. With so many pet foods to choose from, ranging from high–end premium foods and prescriwption diets
EXPERT HELP FOR
aimed toward disease management to generic brands labeled simply
EVERYTHING TO DO WITH KENNEL FLOORS
“dog food” or “cat food,” it becomes more and more difficult to determine which is best for the pets in our care. However, you should begin gaining the knowledge you will someday need
Planning • Problem Solving • Installation • Products Get Help to Do It Yourself
concerning the basics of nutrition and the importance diet plays on the overall health of the pet. For more information on PPBC visit
www.DogKennelFloors.com 50
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
C2002
Your One-Stop Resource for Kennel Floors
Grant@DogKennelFloors.com • (417) 733-4950 – Ask for Grant
www.PetBoardingCertification.com
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
51
NEW PRODUCTS CIRCLE PRODUCTS LAUNCHES THE BLEU PAW XL POOPER SCOOPER World’s easiest to use Sanitary Pooper Scooper, featuring Patent Pending Bag Adherence feature, allowing it to work with ANY type of plastic bag. Just slide device into a plastic bag, reach down, pick up and remove bag. The sleek design is extendable; 24”long closed & 30’’ long extended. Made of durable plastic & aluminum and works with kitty litter too. Bleu Paw represents a total sanitary solution to avoiding the bacteria encountered when picking up dog poop. This means that pregnant women and people with weak immune systems can still remove dog poop without the fear of contamination. bleupaw.com
LOOKING TO SHARE YOUR
NEW PRODUCT WITH OUR READERS?
Send your product info to JAMES@BARKLEIGH.COM for a chance to be featured.
SURE PETCARE LAUNCHES SUREFEED® MICROCHIP PET FEEDER Sure Petcare, the pet technology specialist, announced the launch of the SureFeed® Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, the next generation of the best-selling SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder, which monitors the eating behavior of pets. The smart feeder monitors how much and when a pet eats, sending real-time updates directly to the pet owner’s phone. The new product also features integrated scales, which enable owners to provide accurate food portions to their pet at every meal. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect records the time and weight of food consumed by a pet each time they eat from the feeder, reporting it directly to the Sure Petcare app. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect is available to purchase online across the U.S. at www.surepetcare.com
Wisdom & Grace A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Psalm 15:1 • NIV Bible
52
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
0 2 0 2
Febr uary 2 0-23
Pasadena CONVENTION CENTER
www.groomexpowest.com PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
53
54
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
55
56
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE