APRIL 2006

It’s a Doggie Dog World

(MS) — Dog lovers can attest to the joy that a wagging tail, furry grin and a pair of inquisitive eyes can offer. Dogs have always been beloved members of the family, but in recent years, dogs are being fawned over and given more attention than ever before. Career couples now think twice about leaving the family pet alone all day, and as a result, the pet-care industry continues to see a steady increase in revenue. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans spent $34 billion on their dogs in 2004. Experts predict the industry will grow by more than five percent a year for the next few years.

There are many businesses that have been able to profit from the pet-care industry. Trainers have seen an influx in business from pet owners who haven’t the time or the skills to properly train their animals. Another area of the pet-care industry that has seen considerable popularity and profitability is daycare for dogs.

Dog owners are busy individuals. Many work full-time and their jobs require that they are out of the house at least 12 hours per day. Rather than leaving their pooches to their own devices all day long, daycare allows dogs of all shapes and sizes to interact with each other and have fun. This type of socialization and interaction has many benefits for the dogs and their owners. Dogs who are allowed to exercise regularly are less likely to engage in bad behavior, such as incessant barking or chewing, and won’t feel separation anxiety from owners who are away from home all day. Socialization with other dogs — especially at an early age — teaches dogs to be friendly toward other canines and be less aggressive and more comfortable around other dogs. Owners have a more well-rounded and happy pet as a result.

Daycare operations like Gulliver’s Doggie Daycare, based in Burlington, Vermont, have started franchise programs for would-be entrepreneurs. It allows you to enter the consistently growing pet-care industry with relative ease and build a business centered solely on caring for and enjoying dogs. The rise in popularity of doggie daycares provides a unique business opportunity for entrepreneurs who are also dog lovers.

“Why not do what you love?” asks Patricia Clark, who founded Gulliver’s Doggie Daycare, one of the nation’s first daycare facilities for dogs. Entrepreneurs like Clark are now developing their hobbies into successful businesses. Clark added, “This successful business creates and keeps customers and offers franchisees a great opportunity to succeed in a business they will love.”

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A DAYCARE

If you are seeking a facility to care for your pet while you’re at work or during travel, consider these tips from Gulliver’s Doggie Daycare:
• Visiting a daycare is the best way of judging the facility. Make an impromptu visit and observe the dogs already in care. Do they look happy and well supervised? Is the facility clean, and does it smell clean?
• Make sure you are comfortable with the facility’s policies. Do they ban certain breeds deemed too aggressive? Do they charge extra for special care, bathing or feeding? Are the hours of operation compatible with your schedule? A great daycare will allow you to stop in at any time during the day to drop off, pick up, or just have a surprise visit.
• Inquire about the staff. What type of training do they receive? Ask how they discipline dogs who are unruly. And find out what they do in case of a medical emergency — do they have a veterinarian on call?
• Most centers will require certain vaccinations for dogs. Find out what they are. This ensures your dog and the others will be safe during play. Many facilities won’t allow dogs which haven’t been spayed or neutered, so check that as well.
• Does your dog have any special needs? If so, a good daycare should take care of any medication administered at home for no additional charge.

The right doggie daycare offers peace of mind to dog owners looking for a safe and entertaining environment for their beloved pets. For more information on Gulliver’s, visit www.doggiedaycare.com.