13 Tips on How to Start a Dog Kennel Business

Posted by Gerald Njuguna on September 18th, 2007 at 03:55pm

The kennel business is not a small business undertaking, even if you have worked in a kennel before or you think you know much about kennels. This article below gives you tips and guidelines to help those of you want who want to go into the kennel business. Perhaps you might learn a thing or two that you haven’t considered before.

1. Funding - This is pretty obvious. Before going into this business do consider the costs involved in opening up this business and ensure that you have the financial backing to support this venture. Have enough capital set aside for a few months or more before your business can take off.

2. Building - The building to be used to house your kennel needs to have all the facilities needed (space, fixtures, etc.) or that it can be easily modified to accommodate your needs.

3. Location - Make sure the location of your kennel is zoned for that use.

4. Permits - Ensure that you have applied for all the necessary permits relevant to your state or country. Don’t be ignorant to the regulations and statutes that govern kennel operations in your state and make sure you adhere to them.

5. Standards - Go above the minimum standards required for your kennel. Not only does this ensure that you are following all the required regulations but it has the added advantage in that you potential customers will be attracted to your attention to detail.

6. Insurance - If you plan to have extra employees, you might need to have and insurance plan for them. Some businesses pay for a portion of employee premiums. Should your pocket not be deep enough, you might still be able to negotiate a lower group insurance rate for you and your staff.

7. Workman’s compensation insurance - Please learn all there is to workman’s compensation insurance. Should you have employees, you will need to pay for this insurance yourself. You cannot deduct it from the paychecks of your employees. This type of insurance is a must in every state in America and in case your employee is injured it will offset the medical bill, even if the injury is the employee’s fault.

Workman’s compensation insurance also covers the wages of any of your injured employees. Should you provide your employees a safe workplace & minimize the number of accidents, you might qualify for lower premiums.

8. Advertising - We all know without people knowing about your business you will go under. Market your business using low-cost advertising methods to spread the word round about your business. A great way to get you started is through neighborhood newspapers and flyer’s. Did you know that Word-of-mouth advertising is a very powerful form of advertising. you can also create a website to advertise more of your business.

9. Provide Multiple Services - Offering multiple services like grooming, pet supplies, obedience training can increase your customer base, which in turn will cause existing customers to visit you more often.

10. Trained Handlers - Ensure that all of your employees are trained to handle dog sin all types of situations including crisis. Inexperienced handlers can cause the dogs to be nervous which can result in aggressive behavior with the dogs.

11. Play- Provide the dogs with a kennel that will give them the freedom to play daily on a set period of time. Also make sure that the dogs receive adequate exercise.

12. Safety - Make it known to the dog owners that should their dogs become a danger to the employees, you will be unable to board the dogs again. Ensure that you sign a contract with the dog owner clearly stating your obligations to the pet and vise versa.

13. Get Accredited Through the American Boarding and Kennel Association (AKBA). - When you get accredited with this organization, you make potential customers to trust you by showing them that you are committed to providing the best possible facilities and care for their dogs.
American Boarding and Kennel Association will thoroughly examine the following areas of your business & facilities: your personnel, your office, the reception area, how you keep your records, the kennel grounds, work areas, the kennel area, the procedures you follow in caring for your animals, level of sanitation, sewage disposal methods, pest control procedures and availability and diversity in the animals boarded.

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