The best pet franchises of 2024

Looking for an animal-focused business? Here's everything you need to know about the top UK-based franchise opportunities

The UK is a nation of animal lovers, and many owners are prepared to spend big with pet-focused franchises.

In 2023, 57% of UK households owned a pet which amounts to 12 million dogs and 11 million cats. Beyond this, rabbits, indoor birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, tortoises, lizards, snakes, and domestic fowl are all popular British pet choices, according to Statista.

There are plenty of franchise brands tapping into this market, including pet shops, veterinary practices, dog groomers, walkers, and animal boarding facilities.

In this article, we’ll outline pet franchise opportunities in the UK, how to choose the right business for you, and what it takes to launch your own successful pet business.

Types of pet franchises for sale in the UK

Consider what type of business you’re looking to open. What kind of lifestyle would you like to have? How much money do you have to invest? Is there demand in the location that you’d like to launch? The answers to these questions will be crucial as you evaluate the franchise opportunities available in your area.

Pet grooming franchise

Dog and cat grooming is a popular service offered by many franchise brands. Some opt to include grooming as part of a wider service (for example, Barking Mad - minimum investment £14,950), while others will choose to specialise.

Brands may sell pet toiletries, dog clothes, and luxury pet treatments, such as dog facials, to create additional revenue streams.

A pet grooming business will usually require you to invest in specialist equipment and train in cutting a variety of dog and cat hair in multiple styles.

It’s common for franchisees to launch a mobile business with a specialised van, or from an tailored shed in their garden. However, some do opt to open a bricks and mortar store or pop-up within an existing pet store.

Pet spa franchise

Pet spas are essentially pet grooming businesses with a focus on providing luxury treatments. This often includes blueberry facials, de-shedding mud masks, nose and paw balm, nail polish, and ultra teeth cleaning – all for your dog.

Pet massage franchise

Pet massage businesses are a more recent development in the pet care world. They’ve become popular following an increase in pet chiropractors online.

These brands focus on providing relief to animals who may suffer from aches and pains. While it’s an option – it’s one limited to specialists in this space and shouldn’t be conducted without proper veterinary qualifications.

Pet wash franchise

Self-service pet wash franchises are slightly different to grooming businesses. They usually offer cleaning facilities to dog walkers – operating as a vending business. This is a hands-off business model. The franchisee will set up the self-service cleaning facility in a prime location and keep it in good condition.

Pet sitting franchise

A lot of brands offer pet sitting services alongside dog walking. Some brands may require a staff member to live in the pet’s home for the duration of their care, while others may require the pet to come to the staff member’s home.

Pet boarding franchise

Pet boarding businesses are similar to pet sitting services but usually care for more animals at one time. These franchises will have boarding houses for the pets staying in your care, and you’ll be responsible for keeping them happy and healthy during their stay.

Dogs and cats are the most popular customers. However, there are franchise brands that specialise in providing boarding services for smaller animals.

For example, Now Boarding enables franchisees to look after rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets via a big, heated shed in their garden.
Visit the What Franchise directory to find the latest pet boarding franchise for sale.

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Pet sitting and boarding franchises for sale

1. Wagging Tails

A family-run business that’s been operating for 17 years, Wagging Tails is a dog boarding company that offers exclusive holiday homes to dogs while their owners are away.

Four-legged guests enjoy their own exclusive holiday, staying in the family home of specially selected licensed and insured dog carers.

Running a Wagging Tails franchise is a home-based opportunity that’s suited to dog lovers with great communication and management skills.

Franchisees receive full ongoing training and business support, guidance on the legal and ethical requirements of operating in the pet care sector, award winning marketing support and training in dog behaviour and first aid.

Wagging Tails offers large, exclusive territories, allowing franchisees scope to develop successful local businesses. The company is looking for hardworking, ambitious, disciplined and outgoing people who are motivated by the idea of building their own business with their dog by their side.

2.  Barking Mad

Delighting dog lovers since 2000, Barking Mad provides professional home dog boarding services.

The business is searching for dog lovers and new branch owners who want to grow their own businesses. The Barking Mad system focuses on building regular, repeat custom with flexible working hours.

A full member of the British Franchise Association, Barking Mad has won accolades including ‘BFA Franchisee of the Year’, ‘Franchisor of the Year’, an ‘Amazon Growing Business Award’, and a ‘Best Franchise 5 Star Satisfaction Award’.

The franchise’s cash flow positive trading position means customers pay in advance. Franchisees also enjoy a healthy home/work-life balance.

3. Petpals

A British Franchise Association member since 2001, Petpals is a multi-service pet care franchise in the UK.

The business began in the 1990s and sold its first franchise in 2001. Now, there are more than 68 franchisees operating in territories from Aberdeen to Bournemouth.

Petpals franchisees offer customers a variety of pet care services, including dog boarding, dog walking, cat visits and small animal boarding or visits.

Although cats, dogs, rabbits, etc make up the majority of a Petpals’ business, franchisees have also been known to look after peacocks, lambs, and goats.

A love of animals is the number one prerequisite for any Petpals franchisee, who on joining the company spend three days at head office receiving business, operational and technical training, which is followed by three days of on-site support during their launch week. They also receive additional specialist, off-site training.

Franchisees also receive support from a professional digital and PR agency, who use video and social media to promote the business and a modern website with regular fresh content.

4. Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel

Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel franchisees aim to provide five star, spacious, cats-only accommodation for feline guests while their owners are away.

Each of the spacious suites come with their own thermostatically controlled bedroom areas, wrought iron beds, and semi-outdoor play areas.

Abi Purser, founder and owner of Longcroft Welwyn, says: “Our talented team is experienced, innovative and forward thinking. Our training is bespoke and at the highest level to ensure consistency across all our beautiful locations.

“Having founded Longcroft after struggling to find a suitable place to leave my own cat and successfully running the founding Longcroft hotel for seven years, I can honestly say this is my dream job.”

The franchise now has 22 franchisees, as well as an in-house vet.

Investment:

£50,000-plus (plus VAT).

5. My Best Friend

Starting a new business can be tough and while becoming a My Best Friend dog care franchisee will be hard work, it’s also rewarding.

The company offers a proven and profitable business model with an industry leading level of support to give you every opportunity to succeed. Services include home boarding, doggy day care, dog walking, pet sitting, and pet transportation.

The franchise system aims to give franchisees everything they need to start and run a successful and profitable operation in their own exclusive territory. You’ll have the security of ongoing help and support from the My Best Friend team.

The company is looking for people who share its passion to provide the best dog care and want to help My Best Friend grow into a nationally recognised brand.

Investment: £14,995 (plus VAT).

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Pet day care franchise

Doggy day care businesses are an essential cost for those who don’t work from home. These brands will usually provide a facility to host multiple pets throughout the day.

However, some franchisees may operate their business from home. You’ll be responsible for ensuring all the pets are happy and protected.

In-home pet care franchise

Franchises that offer in-home pet care will usually require staff to visit a pet’s home throughout the day. They may keep them company, feed them, walk them, and give them any medication they require. This is a mobile business.

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Dog walking and training franchises for sale

1. We Love Pets

This company’s network of franchisees offers dog walking and pet sitting services to thousands of happy customers.

We Love Pets training encompasses pet behaviour and hands-on instruction with different pet species in an animal training centre.

Plus with a vet, pet experts, marketing specialists and business mentors on the franchise team, We Love Pets says its franchisee support is second to none. A free solicitor phone support service is also provided.

Investment: £12,995+VAT.

2. Dogknows

A Dogknows franchisee spends their day with all ages and breeds of dogs, delivering knowledge-led, skill-based support for their dog owning customers - clients who trust, rely, and have complete peace of mind as a result of their professionalism.

Franchisees work with a qualified UK dog trainer to develop the necessary training techniques and dog behaviour know-how. This support is ongoing, unlimited, and includes weekly coaching, a dog advice helpline, one-to-one on-site training days, and off-site group training workshops.

This provides a pathway to becoming an accredited dog trainer, should this be an ambition.

Pet food delivery service franchise

Pet food franchises allow you to build up a regular customer base within your area. You’ll then be responsible for delivering to your clients, while the brand’s head office will supply you with stock. This type of business can often be run flexibly or part-time.

Your business will likely be selling branded products from the franchise, so it’s important you believe in what you’re selling. For example, raw food, organic, and natural products are all gaining a growing market.

Check out the What Franchise directory to find the latest pet food franchises for sale.

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Pet food franchises for sale

1. Husse

Husse (pronounced hoo-say) is a global brand established in 1987 in Sweden.

The pet food franchise in the UK operates in more than 50 countries. Husse produces and sells a wide range of affordable premium pet foods, accessories, health and hygiene products for dog, cats, and horses.

Husse UK says it a 95% customer retention rate, along with a moneyback taste guarantee, and has ambitious plans to grow its franchise network further in the UK.

2. OSCAR

OSCAR is dedicated to providing a home delivery service that enables customers to enjoy the benefits of a range of nutritious pet foods, toys, treats, accessories and health care products, as well as advice from experts. While OSCAR keeps a firm focus on pet food manufacturing, it also devotes time to a rapidly growing network of franchisees, both new and existing.

On offer is a franchise package that’s tailored to suit individual backgrounds and life skills. Research has helped OSCAR establish a franchise that’s flexible, meaning there’s an option to choose a level of investment that matches your personal capabilities.

The core package provides all the necessary elements to launch a new business, plus a range of additional services to help develop your business to suit your needs.

Essential stock options and optional business extras can put the finishing touches to your personal package, which include innovative training, a formal nutritional qualification, full colour livery, a professionally branded corporate marquee, clothing and equipment and a selection of branded marketing materials.

3. Trophy Pet Foods

Established since the early 1990s, Trophy is a mobile pet food franchise in the UK.

The brand aims to provide the right skills, experience and know-how necessary to make every new Trophy delivery business succeed, with a head office team to train, support, and guide new franchisees.

Trophy’s tried and tested formula combined with a launch programme and support package is designed to ensure every new franchisee can grow and develop a local pet food business with the strength of a large organisation behind them.

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Pet shop franchise

Pet store franchises provide customers with everything they need to be a pet owner. You’ll need to have a good knowledge of your products as well as animals’ needs.

Most franchise brands will require you to find a high footfall location to launch a bricks and mortar store. However, there may be some pet supplies franchises that allow you to set up an e-commerce model to sell products remotely online.

Also, make a decision on whether you’ll sell animals as well as supplies. If so, you’ll need to ensure you set up a care plan for animals when the shop is closed.

Pet funeral home franchise

Pet funeral home franchises provide end of life support and cremation services for pets. Brands will often increase their revenue streams by providing memorial products.

This type of business will require a bricks and mortar location, as you’ll need specialist equipment. Many franchisees find running a pet funeral business a rewarding experience, and some even have memorial gardens for pet owners who don’t have anywhere to scatter ashes.

Veterinary franchise

Medical care franchises are a much more specialist investment, as such you’ll most likely need to be a qualified vet. You’ll need a bricks and mortar store, plenty of specialist equipment, and a full team of staff. Some practices also expand their revenue streams by selling pet products in the patient waiting area.

Can you franchise Vets for Pets?
Vets for Pets does not operate a franchise model. However, it does have a partnership model, which is like a franchise but slightly different. It means that you will partner with Vets 4 Pets to run your business using their brand name.

Yet you’ll typically pay a membership fee rather than up-front franchise fees, and you’ll have greater autonomy over decisions such as pricing. You’ll likely also receive support from Vets 4 Pets but it will be less structured than what franchises offer.

What pet businesses are currently franchising in the UK?

Numerous brands have become popular in the pet market, however not all of them operate under a franchising model. Others are also yet to make their entrance into the UK. Here we run through your most asked questions.

Does Aussie Pet Mobile franchise in the UK?

Aussie Pet Mobile is a popular franchise brand in the US, Canada, and Australia. However, it has not currently recruited franchisees in the UK – if you were interested in bringing the brand to the country you would need to approach the franchise team directly.

How much does a PetPals franchise cost?

Petpals does franchise in the UK. The brand offers dog walking, pet sitting, and boarding – and is estimated to have a total investment of £15,000-£25,000.

Does Pet Paradise franchise in the UK?

Pet Paradise offers a pet resort for boarding as well as other services such as vet care and grooming. It currently concentrates its franchising to the US, with no opportunities in the UK.

How much does a We Love Pets franchise cost?

British-based franchise, We Love Pets, provides dog walking, pet sitting, and small animal boarding services. Total investment is estimated to cost between £15,000 to £20,000 depending on your business location and other varying factors.

Does Pet Evolution franchise in the UK?

Pet Evolution is a US franchise that provides grooming and self-service pet washes, alongside premium products. It does not franchise in the UK, but you could ask the brand about whether they’d support an international expansion.

Is Pet Valu a franchise?

Pet Valu is a pet supplies retail franchise. It focuses its franchising on Canada and parts of the US, so franchise opportunities in the UK are unlikely to be available.

Is Absolute Pets a franchise?

Absolute Pets is a pet supplies retailer in South Africa. Although it has multiple locations across the country, it does not operate a franchise model – all its stores are corporate owned.

Does All American Pet Resorts franchise internationally?

The All American Pet Resorts franchise offers pet daycare, boarding, and grooming. It currently focuses on franchising in the US, with no opportunities in the UK.

Does All Paws Pet Wash franchise in the UK?

All Paws Pet Wash is a US based franchise offering self-service pet wash facilities. The brand is registered in the UK, so franchise opportunities may be available.

Does Best Friends Pet Care franchise in the UK?

Best Friends Pet Care has multiple locations across the US. However, it does not operate a franchise model and all its stores are corporate-owned.

How much is a Trophy Pet Foods franchise?

Trophy pet foods is a pet food delivery franchise in the UK. It is estimated to cost around £13,995 + VAT.

Is Earthwise Pet franchise a business in the UK?

Earthwise Pet is a US-based franchise which sells natural and healthy food products, as well as pet grooming and doggy daycare. It doesn’t currently operate in the UK.

Does Pet Planet franchise in the UK?

Pet Planet is a Canadian pet retailer which operates a franchise model. However, it does not appear to franchise in the UK.

Does Pet Wants franchise in the UK?

Pet Wants is a pet food delivery franchise predominantly operating in the US. However, it is reportedly exploring opportunities to open locations elsewhere.

Is Pets at Home a franchise?

Pets at Home may have multiple locations but it is not a franchise. The brand is a publicly listed company, and its stores are corporate owned. However, you can open a Vets for Pets under its partnership model.

Is Pets Corner a franchise?

Pets Corner is a retail chain operated and owned by the Richmond family. This means you can not sign a franchise agreement with the brand.

Is Pets ‘n’ Vets a franchise?

Pets ‘n’ Vets is a group of independent veterinary practices in Scotland which operate under a unified brand

Still interested in opening a pet franchise in the UK? You can find the latest list of opportunities in the What Franchise directory.