Pet care: Franchises purr-fect for animal lovers in the UK

Make pets your profession with some of the best in show

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Why investing in a pet franchise is a good idea

There are several types of animal-loving businesses, from kennels and veterinary care to pet grooming and pet food merchants. Animal-loving entrepreneurs can choose what type of business best works for them.

Location flexibility is another key factor in these types of businesses as franchisees may choose to operate their business from home, a fixed location or even go mobile.

3.2 million of us in the UK welcomed a furry member of the family into our homes during the pandemic as pet ownership hit a record high, bringing the total UK dog and cat population to over 12 million each. Pets are amazing when you’re looking to unwind and relax, particularly during difficult times, and pet owners are willing to spend the big bucks on keeping their fur babies happy. Pet businesses are, thus, a great way to combine your passion for animals with a career.

More than just an animal lover

A love of animals is necessary, but it takes a lot more than being a pet owner to make a successful pet business. Ultimately pet businesses are not simply petting dogs and snuggling with cats, therefore, franchisors seek out prospective franchisees who are willing to take on a lot more than just dealing with animals.

While a pet care franchise does value existing knowledge of animal care in its franchises, it does provide training, in both pet care and business and, in some cases, courses leading to qualifications.

The benefits of buying a pet care franchise

Being a franchisee is easier than beginning a pet care business on your own, partially because you must adhere to the standards governing pet enterprises.

Franchisors will help:

• If you manage a cattery or kennels or board cats and dogs in your own home, you will need a licence from your local authorities. Unlicensed operations can result in a fine or up to six months imprisonment.
• A DBS check if you hold keys to customers’ homes, so you can go in to feed the animals.
• Insurance, including public liability insurance, in case your business results in harm to a person or property, and employers’ liability insurance for staff.
• Planning permission if you’re building housing for pets.

Franchises also provide training, access to courses that can lead to qualifications, marketing materials and promotional assistance, expertise (many offer a hotline to a qualified vet), access to a network of fellow franchisees, business software, supplies (in the case of pet food delivery franchises), a uniform, vehicle livery, and a well-known name.

5 BEST PET CARE FRANCHISES TO INVEST IN

If you love all creatures great and small, perhaps it’s time to get your paws on a pet franchise and turn your passion into your career. There are plenty of business opportunities in the pet world, and much like a new kitten or puppy, this is a sector that will grow and grow. Here are some of the most exciting pet businesses on offer.

1. Pets 2 Places

The world’s first pet taxi franchise

Spotting a gap in the market for pet owners without cars, founder Claire Harris had the brilliant idea to launch a service getting people and their furry friends where they need to be. It’s a specialised operation for those with two and four legs to travel together to the grooming parlour, the dreaded v-e-t, or even a holiday.

As the world’s first pet taxi franchise, Claire has seen her business grow into a pillar of the Milton Keynes community. Pets 2 Places’ reputation as a trusted and trained service means it has developed plenty of loyal customers and its cars can be seen working with social services, Age UK, and even the police force.

Claire describes the company’s ethos: “Going above and beyond for our customers. Whatever we can do to make our customers’ experience with us as easy as possible, it’s our pleasure to do so.”

It is this approach that franchisees should look to emulate on their own patch. For just £5,000 and some small startup costs, you can claim your exclusive territory to operate as either a full-time sole trader or part-time with a team, giving you more time to play fetch.

Following the Milton Keynes model, it is very possible for franchisees to be profitable within the first year of operation and those who do well can apply for an increase in their area of operations. According to Claire, Solihull franchisee, Nicola Hughes, earned back 20 per cent of her franchise fee in just a month!

This is an opportunity that combines business with personality and someone with a clear love for animals and compassion for their fellow humans is bound to do well.

2. Bark Busters

‘A better way to a better dog’

The world’s largest home dog training company has come a long way from its 1989 beginnings in Wollongong, Australia. With a franchise network of over 250 people across seven countries, it has set tails wagging in the franchising world and helped over one million dogs.

Unlike other pet services, Bark Busters offers bespoke training for every dog, not in group classes, but in their own home. This approach follows the principle that dogs spend the largest part of their life at home so it is not only the best place for them to feel comfortable but also where owners want learned behaviours to take effect.

A directory of trainers by area allows customers to find someone near them who is sure to be qualified to help their dog back onto the right track. The results speak for themselves: Bark Busters has an incredible level of customer satisfaction, with 98.6 per cent stating they would happily recommend the service to a friend and 98.3 per cent agreeing that their dog responded to the training.

An £18,000 minimum investment can go a long way; with a proven business model, franchisees can reasonably expect to make over £70,000 per annum after just two years of operation. This return on investment, coupled with the obvious satisfaction of training dogs for a living, makes Bark Busters a compelling prospect. Plenty of business owners don’t enjoy their day-to-day, but anyone who loves canine companions will be like a dog with a bone.

3. Barking Mad

Temporary holiday homes for dogs with lifelong franchise support

Being a pet parent can often leave you feeling guilty for going away. With its first franchise launching 20 years ago, this pet care service is a trusted industry leader. With over 100,000 doggie holidays under its belt, the award-winning Barking Mad provides options for those pet owners who don’t want to leave their four-legged friends in boarding kennels. With a network of proven volunteers who are passionate about providing quality care for pets, Barking Mad is a boarding service that ensures that when owners go off on an adventure, so do their pets, a huge reassurance to potential customers. 

The average day for a franchise owner is a varied one. This is no ordinary doggy daycare, office work is one component but getting out and about to drop off and pick up pooches and recruiting new host families is a core part of the job and will embed you in the area as a pillar of the local dog-loving community. Franchisees should check up on hosts often and can even arrange regular group walks, lunches and meet-ups to discuss all things dog.

For your £15,000 investment, you will also receive six months of close support from a team of trained specialists and ongoing help for as long as needed, plus, access to regular workshops at the head office. Whether your handling skills need a refresher or your old IT skills have gone walkies, Barking Mad will get you in a position to thrive.

Barking Mad has also made strides into the dog grooming industry, with nine years now of operating mobile grooming salons. You can choose to undergo further training and get involved in this side of the business as well.

4. Oscar Pet Foods

The future of pet food

Founded in 1994, OSCAR has revolutionised the pet food business, circumventing pet stores and operating a delivery service direct to customers. Built on the value of honesty and trust, OSCAR is proud to display on its products not only the ingredients of its recipes but also the percentage of each ingredient. It is this transparency that has helped the Preston-based pet food business become the favourite of many pets across the nation and one of the reasons over 80 franchisees have joined the pet food business with OSCAR.

With low overheads and start-up costs (and just a £20,000 investment), OSCAR Pet Foods offers a clear model for franchisees to get started. By not taking any royalties on sales, just a fixed monthly fee, you get out what you put in with this exciting opportunity and have plenty of incentive to grow. But it’s not just about return on investment, people become franchisees for a variety of reasons. For Rachel Knight of OSCAR Pet Foods Northamptonshire, the OSCAR franchise package was a chance to improve her lifestyle. “I’m far less stressed and I have time for myself, my husband and my two dogs, Ted and Hannie, while enjoying new friendships with my customers,” she says.

Whether times are ample or lean, the pet food market is a constant, making this a resilient business with year-round income. With top nutritionists constantly innovating and refining recipes, there is an ever-expanding (currently 17) menu of meals with all British ingredients for many dietary requirements. You will learn from these experts (earning a unique formal qualification recognised by Ofqual) but also from those who have walked in your shoes. Regular area meetings are a great place to pick the brains of fellow franchisees and all members of the OSCAR family are given personal trainers to “ensure a smooth and effective start, we are with you every step of the way”. 

5. The Cat Butler

Purr-fect for feline fans

With 12.2 million cats in the UK, not all of them will be right for catteries. This is where The Cat Butler comes in. While their owners are away, cat owners need not worry and cats need not lift a paw as trained pet sitters come to their door to care for them. Set up in 2015 by Sandra James to save any upset for cats and their owners, The Cat Butler also offers a “complimentary home care and security service, giving owners peace of mind that their home is also looked after while they’re away”.

A love of cats and an initial investment of £7,000 will see you in a perfect position to start a business that offers incredible flexibility to fit around your life. For this sum, you will receive full rights to the The Cat Butler name in your chosen area as well as website coverage, an operations manual, a guaranteed listing on the first page of Google, and ongoing support from the experts. Bromley franchisees, Gregory and Romina, describe the franchisee package: “Essentially the complete startup package for those of us that love and live with our feline friends.”

With a predicted profit between £30,000 to £48,000 each year, The Cat Butler offers an excellent return on investment, whether it is maintained long term or the business is sold on for profit.

With low overheads and support from the brand, franchisees should have, “everything they need to get their business off to a flying start in their local area and start generating earnings immediately”.