Instructions
Starting a Commercial Boarding Kennel
Check the local laws in your area to be sure a commercial dog kennel is allowed on the property you are planning to use. Call insurance companies to get the best business insurance for your company and get a lawyer to draw up contracts and agreements for clients to sign when bringing in their pets.
Draw up a business plan that includes all of your expenses as well as potential profits. This will not only give you a good idea of what to expect over the coming months and years, but, if you need to get a loan to start up your business, it will show financial officers that you have done your homework and know what operating a kennel entails .
Design your facility to be light and airy as well as providing plenty of ventilation. Consider the type of flooring carefully. The actual kennel facility is best set on a concrete slab foundation, because it is easier to keep clean and harder for dogs to destroy. Linoleum is easy to clean, but dogs can tear it up. Make sure each individual kennel run is accessible for cleaning but provides the ability to feed and let dogs in and out to their runs without contact, in case an animal is aggressive. Include a separate feed storage and preparation room, a grooming room with tub and water, and a reception area.
Contact a local veterinarian and arrange to have him on call for emergencies and required care. Have clients sign a release that allows your veterinarian to provide care when needed if they cannot be contacted.
Understand that your daily routine will involve feeding and cleaning each animal and its kennel and that there are no days off. Dogs must be fed and cared for 7 days a week.
Protect your clients' animals by making sure all of your equipment and kennel facilities are always in good working order.
Provide extra services such as grooming, obedience training, day care for owners who want their dogs cared for when they can't be at home during the day, and sales of dog products like collars and leashes, food, grooming supplies and clothing.
Starting a Commercial Breeding Kennel
Choose your breeding stock wisely. Pick registered animals that are a good representation of their breed and, if possible, with a show record that indicates their quality.
Show the offspring of your animals in kennel club dog shows to develop a reputation for producing quality animals.
Learn about the various types of testing for your particular breeds to ensure they are healthy and without hereditary illnesses or conditions.
Have your lawyer draw up a reasonable guarantee against illness and hereditary disease for the puppies you sell --and be ready to back it up--to protect your customers .
Provide extra services as your own skills develop by offering dog grooming, obedience and breed show training. Handling services combined with boarding of client dogs while being shown offer a very nice income for a commercial kennel.
How to Start a Commercial Dog Kennel
If you have a love for dogs and like dealing with their owners, beginning a commercial dog kennel is a great career choice for you. There are a lot of things to consider when starting up a commercial dog kennel, but if you do it right it will be a smooth-running business that is enjoyable and fun to run. Besides boarding dogs there are side services you can include in your commercial dog kennel to make it more profitable, while providing more benefits to your clients.