How to Start a Dog Daycare in Clark County, Washington

Starting a doggy daycare in Clark County Washington is a feat that requires a lot of diligence. Why? Setting up any business, especially a doggy daycare, requires a lot of legwork. So you need to prepare yourself to do a variety of tasks over several weeks. Here’s a guide as to what you need to do.

Things You'll Need

  • Business License
  • Insurance
  • Dog Supplies
  • Employees
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Create a business plan. It should include a mission statement, description of your business and an outline of how you plan to succeed in your doggy daycare business. You can download a few “free” business plans off of the Internet. It will help you. By the end of this process, all the details of your new business should be mapped out for future implementation.

    • 2

      Plot out the funding for your doggy daycare. Clark County Washington can be an expensive place to conduct a business in. Keep this in mind as you list out the necessary funds required to start your doggy daycare. On a piece of paper or ledger, list out the cost for housing, supplies (toys/play sets/food/emergency medical kit), advertising, employees, insurance and emergency situations.

    • 3

      Bring in your funds. You can do it by using your savings, a small business loan or help from a rich friend. This path is the usual one most business owners take. Decide in advance which path you will walk and understand that most people underestimate the cost to start a business.

    • 4

      Get a business license. You can do this by visiting the Washington State License website. It will show lists of business licenses that you can get for a nominal fee. It’s important to take this step in order to legitimize your service.

    • 5

      Buy insurance. You will want to set up insurance for your doggy daycare based on it’s size, number of dogs and potential employees. You will need to consider three kinds of insurance: commercial, health and liability. All of these will protect you from the unforeseen.

    • 6

      Find a place to run your doggy daycare. If you plan on running a small facility (under 5 dogs), you probably can do it in your back yard. If your doggy daycare is big, find another spot. It should be a place with adequate land and a fenced off area. Also, the interior should be up to building codes and include a kitchen, bathroom, dining room and rest area. In other words, the facility you choose to run your doggy daycare out of should be fit for dogs and humans.

    • 7

      Hire employees. You can find them off the Internet at places like Hot Jobs or at the local unemployment office. You can also ask friends and family if they know anyone who is looking for work. Just be sure that you follow a formal process in hiring them that includes an interview and background check. Your works need to be dog lovers and people that you enjoy being around.

    • 8

      Buy supplies and set up your doggy daycare. Your supplies should include doggy toys, doggy play sets, brushes and other items. You can get a lot of it at PETCO. Be sure to list out the items before you start to shop. Also, bring an employee along for the ride. They can help you pick up and unload your supplies. This person will also need to assist you in setting everything in it’s proper place after you return to your doggy daycare.

    • 9

      Advertise your new business. Go around the neighborhood and hand out flyers. Be sure to stop at the places where people with dogs frequent like dog parks and the local vet. Use all of your resources to drum up business.

    • 10

      Open up for business. This step is the easy part of this entire process. All you have to do is turn on the lights and flip an “Open for Business” sign on the front door.