For many pet lovers, opening a kennel feels like a dream come true: spending time with animals, creating a safe haven for furry guests, and being your own boss. But behind the wagging tails lies a harsh reality—kennel ownership comes with unexpected financial demands that passion alone won’t cover.
Without a clear understanding of the hidden costs involved, even the most dedicated pet-care pros can find themselves in the red. These aren’t the obvious startup costs like cages, food, and cleaning supplies. We're talking about those sneaky, recurring, and sometimes invisible expenses that can quietly eat away at your profits.
In this blog, we’re shining a light on six of the most commonly overlooked costs of owning a pet kennel. Whether you're just getting started or looking to tighten up your operations, understanding these financial curveballs can help you plan smarter and grow stronger.
To stay ahead of it, budget for ongoing maintenance—not just when things break. Regular inspections and proactive fixes will save you money in the long run and keep your space safe and welcoming.
It’s not the most exciting part of running a business, but it’s one of the most essential. Depending on your location and services, you may need specific kennel permits, zoning approvals, inspections, and insurance coverage. And they’re not one-time fees—they often renew annually.
Skip these, and you're looking at fines or even shutdowns. Work with a local expert to map out what’s required and set calendar reminders to avoid last-minute scrambles (and late fees).
In pet care, a great team makes all the difference. But let’s face it—hiring and keeping top-notch staff isn’t easy. Turnover means you’re constantly retraining, rescheduling, and trying to maintain consistent care standards. That affects not just your budget but your brand reputation.
If you want to reduce churn, think beyond hourly pay. Invest in team culture, training opportunities, and tools that make daily tasks smoother. Empowered staff stay longer, and happy employees lead to happy pets (and pet parents).
Instead of trying to do it all, focus on what delivers. A well-optimized Google Business Profile, a simple email newsletter, and a consistent stream of five-star reviews often go further than pricey campaigns.
Kennel bookings aren’t consistent year-round. You’ll likely see peaks during holidays and summers—and noticeable dips in the off-season. When things get quiet, your bills don’t. Rent, salaries, software, and supplies still need to be paid.
Plan ahead with a 12-month forecast. You might also experiment with seasonal promotions or year-round daycare subscriptions to help flatten those revenue valleys and bring in a steady income, even when demand slows.
Still relying on notebooks, sticky notes, and manual reminders? Those small inefficiencies can lead to costly mistakes—double bookings, missed vaccine checks, and frustrated pet parents. Not to mention all the hours spent on admin work that could be automated.
Modern kennel software can change that. With features like automated booking, customer profiles, and scheduling tools, you not only save time—you reduce errors, improve the customer experience, and keep your operations running like a well-oiled (or well-brushed) machine.
Running a pet kennel is rewarding, but it comes with more hidden expenses than most people expect. From maintenance costs and staff turnover to surprise regulations and slow seasons, these costs can sneak up and take a bite out of your bottom line.
But here’s the good news: once you know what to look for, you can plan for it. And when you pair that preparation with the right tools, your business isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving.
Revelation Pets was built to help you do exactly that. With our kennel management software, you can automate bookings, simplify admin work, and stay on top of the details that make or break a pet-care business.