How to Start a Doggie Daycare

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 4, 2021 References

Working with animals is a dream job for many people, and running a day care for dogs is certainly more achievable than becoming a scuba-diving dolphin biologist. But even a dream job can be a lot of work when you're talking about forty dogs at a time, five days a week. Depending on where you live, you might be able to dip your toe into this industry by taking on a few four-legged clients in your own home.

Question 1

Question 1 of 5:
What do you need to start a doggie daycare?

1
Meet the legal requirements. A local business attorney or staff at city hall can advise you on red tape specific to your area, but in general you'll need to do the following:
- Form a legal business entity such as a sole proprietorship or an LLC
- Get a business licence and any permits required by your local government. A zoning permit is especially important if you will be working in a residential neighborhood.^{[1]
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- Purchase liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance so you're prepared for injury to dogs or staff at your daycare.
2
Prepare for the dog's needs. Daycare for dogs requires more than just a backyard and enough food and toys. Staff members should have experience in dog handling and communication. Dogs in a large group need close supervision, and a structured schedule for rest and play times. A variety of indoor and outdoor spaces is ideal to reduce behavioral issues—and of course, all these areas must be thoroughly prepped to make them dog-safe and sanitary.^{[2]
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- You and your staff members should take a pet first aid class to prepare for medical emergencies. Also establish a relationship with a nearby vet.^{[3]
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- Consider a dog temperament assessment (plus a review of vaccination records) before agreeing to take on a client. It's okay to turn down large or hyperactive dogs if they are beyond the limits of your facility.
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3
Make a marketing and networking plan. Word of mouth and online dogsitting sites are often best for new dog daycare owners.^{[4]
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Research source} Spread the word at dog-related events, and put up fliers at groomers and other pet businesses. A good eventual target is a regular client base five to seven times as large as your max capacity, and that won't happen without effort.^{[5]
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Question 2

Question 2 of 5:
Can you run a dog daycare out of your home?

1
Look up local zoning ordinances. The biggest obstacle to taking in clients' dogs at your home is residential zoning laws. These are local issues, so contact your city or county government, or try to find them online at https://library.municode.com/ (if you're in the US). Some areas limit the number of pets allowed in in-home businesses, require special permit approval, or ban the practice completely.
- If you do not own the property, the owner (such as the landlord or UK council) will have to give permission.
2
Make sure you have enough space. Aim for 60 square feet (5.6m²) per small or medium dog, and 100 square feet (9.3m²) per large dog. You'll also need enough space to separate dogs who need alone time, or to isolate dogs who get sick. Unless you are starting with only a few dogs, you'll also need space to keep groups in different areas: during play time, it's best to allow groups of no more than ten dogs.^{[6]
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- The UK and some US states have higher space requirements than those listed here. Check local law.^{[7]
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Question 3

Question 3 of 5:
How much does it cost to start a doggie daycare?

1
Initial startup costs average US$2,000 to $10,000. These are rough numbers, and a lot will depend on your situation. A small business run out of your home will be cheaper to start than a dedicated warehouse space converted into a larger dog daycare center.^{[8]
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- This number is for independent dog daycares. Franchise options usually require much larger capital investments.
2
Staff will likely be your biggest ongoing expense. You might start out working alone, but you'll need to hire someone if you want to work with more than a handful of dogs at a time. For basic pet care, you'll need at least one staff member for every 6-10 dogs, or one per 11-15 dogs if you have a large outdoor enclosure that reduces walking needs.^{[9]
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- Since you'll need to operate longer than a regular work day, you'll probably need two shifts of staff per day.
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Question 4

Question 4 of 5:
Is owning a doggie daycare profitable?

1
The average owner salary is US$57,000, but this is far from guaranteed. This number is the average for independent dog daycare owners in the US, but there is a wide spread of income, with 8% of owners making no profit at all.^{[10]
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2
Calculate your costs. Step one of writing a business plan is an estimation of all your costs:
- Startup costs are one-time costs such as acquiring permits and licences and setting up the daycare space.
- Payroll will likely be your biggest ongoing expense. At minimum, you'll need one caretaker for every 6-10 dogs, or one per 11-15 dogs if you have a large outdoor enclosure. Hire two shifts per day, since dogs will be around from early morning until after work hours.^{[11]
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- Other ongoing costs include insurance, food and cleaning supplies, marketing, and maintenance/repair of equipment and facilities. Aim high on this last estimate, as dogs wear a space down fast.
3
Estimate your profits. Continue your business plan by estimating how much money you can bring in. Local industry averages in your state or country will help if you can find them, but here are some general guidelines for the US:
- Income per dog per day is typically $18 to $32.^{[12]
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  Research source} But this can be $70 or more if you are looking after large dogs in a high cost-of-living region.^{[13]
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  Research source} Look at local competitors' prices for more accurate data, and write down a slightly lower average rate than you charge to allow for discounts.^{[14]
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- Don't expect to be able to fill every available space with dogs. The average dog daycare operates at about half capacity in the average month.^{[15]
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- Include separate estimates for other services if you offer them (such as overnight boarding or grooming). Keep in mind that these require additional staff, and that boarding profits will be much higher during the summer and holidays.
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Question 5

Question 5 of 5:
How much space do you need for a doggie daycare?

1
Plan for at least 60 square feet (5.6m²) per dog. Large dogs need 100 square feet (9.3m²) each.^{[16]
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Research source} An indoor/outdoor enclosure is ideal.
- Check national and local law to be safe; the UK and some US states mandate larger space requirements.^{[17]
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2
Have areas available for solitary activity. Eight hours of running around with other dogs will only stress your visitors out. Rest areas where dogs can retreat and relax without being bothered by other canines are important.
- You'll also want a plan for isolating a dog if it comes down sick while staying with you.
- In the UK, each dog is required to have access to its own room, even if it doesn't use it. This must be be a proper, interior, human-sized room with a window and door, not a hallway, balcony, or garage.^{[18]
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3
Be able to separate groups. Anything more than a handful of dogs (ten at the outside) should be separated into different playgroups. Divide the space so staff members can each handle one group of animals, and so you can separate dogs who aren't getting along.

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