Dog Daycare Business Plan: The Ultimate Guide for 2021

If you love dogs as much as we do and want to start a dog daycare business, you are in the right place! Opening a dog daycare business is an excellent way to turn your passion for animals into a successful venture. But to get your dog daycare business up and running, you have a lot of work to do. (But, it’s worth it, we promise!) A solid business plan builds the foundation for a profitable enterprise, and this guide provides everything you need to create your dog daycare business plan. So, let’s dive in!

Why do I need a dog daycare business plan?

While your instinct is to snag every dog toy imaginable, wait! The first thing before starting any business is to write a business plan. The main reason you need a business plan is to secure funding. Investors or institutions through which you try to take a loan will request this to determine your qualifications for running a business.

Dog Daycare Business Plan Template

Your business plan should include eight sections. But don’t worry! We created this template to help.

Company Description

Include a short mission statement detailing your dog daycare business goals. Following the mission statement, include the following necessary information about your business:

  • Company name
  • Type of ownership (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.)
  • Who will manage the business and their qualifications
  • Location
  • Products and services you will provide
  • The market you will service
  • Number of employees
  • Customers you will serve

Products and Services

This section should be explicit about what you will sell and who you wish to sell it to. Say you want to open an all-natural, green dog daycare business specializing in natural and organic pet products. Your target audience is educated pet owners who are seeking the healthiest environment and products for their pets.

In this case, you should include a statement to support your mission: "Due to widespread pet food recalls and the rise in sick or dying pets because of poor quality pet foods, there is significant demand for organic pet products. This market is currently underserved." This statement is explicit about what your business will do, and it indicates how your business will satisfy a specific need in an underserved market, filling a void.

Market Analysis

The market analysis details:

  • Demographics
  • Target Market
  • Market Need
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry

Additionally, highlight statistics about the booming dog daycare industry, and include annual pet spending statistics. Include as much data and statistics as you can to illustrate that your dog daycare business would be in demand and successful in your market.

Marketing Strategy

Your marketing strategy details how you will promote your dog daycare business, including:

  • Marketing and advertising methods
  • How you will achieve business growth
  • Your plan to attract and retain customers

Management Summary

The management summary details the management team or if your business is a sole proprietorship. Include:

  • Who is managing what
  • Their qualifications
  • Resumes

Financial Analysis

Estimate business operating costs and how much funding is needed for optimal operation. You can also detail possible profit-and-losses.

Appendices and Exhibits

This section contains information to make your business attractive:

  • Demographic, research, and marketing data
  • Statistics
  • Media about pet spending
  • Pictures of work you have done
  • Case studies and testimonials

Executive Summary

The executive summary comes at the end of your plan as a summary of the business plan. The executive summary contains the name of your business, its location, and the products and services the business will provide.

Opening a Dog Daycare Checklist

Once you’ve created the business plan, it’s time to get into the specifics. Use this handy checklist to get started:

  • Location
  • Startup costs and how you will obtain these funds
  • Mission statement outlining your business purpose and goals
  • Rates and pricing menu
  • Marketing and advertising strategies
  • Hours of operation
  • Services you will provide
  • Supplies (cleaning products, toys, treats, etc.)
  • Hiring needs
  • Insurance
  • Licensing requirements: Consult licensing requirements and zoning regulations where you plan to open your dog daycare business to determine if there are restrictions.
  • Legal needs: A business attorney will help you through the process and ensure you follow the law.
  • Logo: The fun part! Create something memorable and eye-catching!
  • Dog daycare business software: Cut down on staff costs, lessen the risk of error, and stand out from the crowd with customer-facing features like easy payment processing and reservation booking.

Tips

Choosing the right software from the start sets your business up for success. Revelation Pets created the best pet care software platform for business owners like yourself. Check out all of the great features that will make Revelation Pets your new (non-furry) best friend.

While a lot of blood, sweat, and tears go into opening your dog daycare business, all of that hard work pays off when you welcome your first furry guest. 🐶