Starting Up a Kennel to Board, Groom Dogs

By Dennis A. Hartman.

A dog grooming and boarding kennel can be a lucrative supplemental or full time business which requires little acreage.

Aside from a love of animals and willingness in an emergency to be on call at any time through the day or night, you must also have a thorough knowledge of dogs, their management and grooming, and a keen business sense of responsibility. The experience of having worked for a kennel operator will also be valuable.

To be skilled in grooming, attend a professional grooming school. It is important to learn grooming from a qualified instructor so that you may pick up correct procedures rather than learn some good and some bad techniques from an unqualified person. There are over 120 different breeds of dogs which vary considerably in hair coat, size, and temperament, thus complicating the task of learning to groom.

Gross income of a boarding and grooming kennel will vary, depending on size and efficiency of management. Boarding and grooming fees also differ within a locality as well as between areas of the United States. Fees are less outside a metropolitan area. On the other hand, building space and labor also cost less. Check building, operation, and boarding fees of your area to gain an idea of net income possibilities.

As a prospective kennel operator, you should know the negative aspects. Several years may be required to build up a clientele. Someone must be present at all times. Since holidays are busy periods, it is difficult to be away then. Customers often break appointments. Cleaning pens and runs is hard work. Some personal attention must be given each dog. Dogs may bite the operator. Dogs may come in very dirty or loaded with parasites. Some dogs may never be picked up.

Before building a kennel, check with the zoning authorities in your town or county. Some areas have sanitation, noise and nuisance laws. You may be required to purchase a special license.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a similar service provided by your state have the responsibility of inspecting kennels twice yearly.

Right Location

Having your kennel available to sizable population areas is most important. It's best to locate on a main access route so customers may leave and pick up their pets without undue travel. The kennel area should be landscaped attractively and have adequate parking space with a driveway. Buildings must be kept in good repair and well painted.

Major clients of a boarding and grooming kennel are families in the middle age group. The dog is sometimes a substitute for children, or for children who have left home.

Customers, therefore, insist upon clean and well managed kennels in which their pet will receive the same loving care received at home.

Time spent in planning your kennel will pay big dividends. Most kennels are begun on a small scale and enlarged as the business grows. So design your plans for easy extension. Minimize the labor involved in feed handling, feeding, and cleaning of pens.

Many dog food companies have plans for kennels and pamphlets for feeding and managing dogs, free for the asking. You will also get many ideas from visiting kennel operators in your state who are at a distance and not competitors.

Design of your kennel may be dictated by the investment you are prepared to make. In some instances it may be economical to rebuild existing buildings. However, this can often be costly. Adding insulation, drains, new flooring, and many other necessary changes can be more expensive than new construction.

Concrete 'block construction is suggested. Kennels made of wood are susceptible to chewing and cannot be sanitized as completely as those made with concrete blocks. Thus savings in low construction costs are not necessarily the best for a long-term operation. Building cost estimates will not be given here because of the many variables. Get several construction estimates before building.

Put your kennel on a high, dry spot which permits drainage in several directions. Design of the kennel will depend upon personal preferences. However the work area should provide rodent-proof storage space, space to prepare food, sinks, and a refrigerator and freezer if fresh meats are to be fed. Dog stalls should be arranged for easy access through the central service area.

Concrete floors are recommended as they may be easily cleaned and sanitized. Vinyl tile on the floor of the reception and grooming area is useful as you may need to damp mop several times daily to control dog hair.

Insulation Important

Roof style is a matter of choice. However, insulation is important as it will reduce the cost of heating in cold climates and prevent excessive heat from the sun in warm areas. Ceiling insulation will also absorb noise.