The population of the U.S. is growing, and that includes our pet companions. There are over 70 million dogs, 90 million cats, 140 million fish, and over 30 million other small animals across the United States. If you are a pet lover, there’s an exciting career waiting for you in pet franchises. Smart entrepreneurs are following a growing trend on catering to pets. Find an area of pet care that matches your skills and interests, and then create a niche within an existing franchise that stands apart from the rest of the competition.
Start a mobile pet grooming franchise. Think beyond the basics and offer pet grooming parties for friends with cats and dogs. Host a special event in coordination with your local SPCA to groom pets up for adoption. Customers will get to know your service, but more importantly, get to know you as a caring member of the community.
Gourmet dog treats and food is another growing pet franchise opportunity. As Americans increasingly watch what they eat, it is no surprise they are becoming more health conscious about what they feed their pets too, and owners are willing to pay. Americans collectively spend over $40 billion per year on their pets, and that’s double what they spent ten years ago. Pet food franchises offer flexibility too. You can run the operation as a mobile business, or open a retail store, depending on the demand in your community.
Maybe you can find a niche as a dog trainer. Help frustrated pet owners master obedience training and behavior modification in the comfort of their homes, or meet regularly in a local park. 40 percent of dog owners reveal that dog ownership motivates them to work out regularly. Turn your dog training business into fun exercise time for pet owners too. For example, encourage everyone to wear a pedometer to track their fitness progress. Offer a discount for the owner who logs the most miles per month with their pet.
Pet owners indicate that the number one reason they own a pet is for companionship. Host family pet lodging is a growing franchise opportunity because some pet owners want an alternative to traditional pet sitting services. Match pets with host families so owners can vacation without worrying. Understanding why people own pets in the first place will help you understand what they need to feel comfortable leaving their pet in your care.
Put it all together with a pet franchise business that provides a wide array of dog care services, including doggy daycare, on-site grooming, dog training and overnight lodging. Team up with a vacation planner to offer travel planning for dog owners. Create a niche by understanding and meeting the needs of dog owners who travel. Some owners wish to lodge at dog-friendly hotels, while others will travel alone if they know their pet is being cared for safely.
There are so many options for pet franchises. Ask for more information today about one that interests you. Talk to other successful pet franchise owners to learn about their experiences in the industry.