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Pet Care Franchises

Date AddedAugust 11, 2010 01:06:36 AM

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CategoryPet Franchises

ANIMAL lovers can make a business out of their fondness for their pets with a pet-care franchise. Almost half of UK households own a pet, so there is plenty of scope.

Services offered by franchises include caring for pets when owners are not at home, arranging hosts to take in dogs while owners are away, mobile dog washing, delivering food and accessories and even providing a pet ambulance.

Experience of caring for pets is essential, but you also need to be business-minded and able to promote your service.

'You are not buying a job with animals, but a business that you should be growing,' says Mark Booty from Animals at Home.

Its franchisees provide services that include an animal ambulance and transport, pet feeding, dog walking and even pet cremations, and they deal with all kinds of pet from cats, dogs, small furry animals, reptiles and fish to micropigs and chickens for the growing number of 'garden farmers'.

Franchisees also promote a new telephone pet health advice service from veterinary nurses.

The [pounds sterling]14,000 franchisee fee includes initial and ongoing training in business skills from experts in marketing, accountancy, and how to employ staff.

Franchisees with Oscar, who deliver pet foods and accessories to pet owners' homes, also get help to develop their business.

'The franchise package now includes visits from a marketing consultant, to show franchisees how they can boost their local community marketing,' says Janet Walmsley of Oscar. The franchise costs [pounds sterling]14,995.

You must be prepared to help clients - whatever the hour. 'Franchisees occasionally get out-ofhours calls when a pet must go to the vet quickly or an owner is taken into hospital and emergency pet care is needed,' says Kevin Thakrah of Pet Pals, whose services include pet sitting, dog walking and dog boarding.

The [pounds sterling]12,500 investment comes with training. 'Just being able to walk a dog is not enough, so you must be willing to undertake training,' says Mr Thakrah.

Pet Pals franchisees are trained to get a certificate in animal first aid, as well as dog handling and business skills.

You must be able to communicate with people as well as pets, but being a pet owner yourself helps.

'Our franchisees often take their dogs when promoting their business at dog shows or outdoor events,' says Sue Reid of Trophy Pet Foods, whose franchisees deliver pet foods and animal supplies to clients.

'You can even market your business while walking your own dog, because dogwalkers naturally talk about their pets.' The franchise costs [pounds sterling]13,995.

Dog lovers can turn dog washing into a business. Dial a Dog Wash looks for hardworking people to run mobile dog grooming parlours, where the dogs can have a haircut and bath, usually outside the owner's home. The cost is [pounds sterling]12,499.

There's even a franchise for horse fans. Franchisees with Kirsty's Horses offer services that include feeding, mucking out and riding to horse owners, livery yards and riding schools.

'You must be experienced in daily horse care, and all franchisees must have the British Horse Society stage one qualification or an equivalent.

But we will mentor suitable people through the training,' says Kirsty Ricketts, the founder of the [pounds sterling]4,995 franchise.

n Animals at Home: 08701 126 613. Oscar: 0800 068 1106.

Pet Pals: 01264 326 362. Trophy: 01367 243 434. Dial a Dog Wash: 0845 123 5843. Kirsty's Horses: 0845 050 7946

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