Entrepreneurs – Want To Open A Kennels And Not Sure If Is Needed?

You want to open a local kennels and are not sure if it will be needed or if you will be a success?  What do you do? 

Well the answer if market research. There are several ways you can do this - I suggest that you try all of them.

·         Go to the local vets and ask them for an idea of how many animals there are.  If you have more than one vet - that is a good indication that there are numerous animals that need homing during vacations. While you are there ask them if they ever get asked about kennels and if you start one can you advertise on their board.  If I was looking for a kennels and there were no local adverts – I would go to the vets as my next option.

·         Go where the dogs get walked - the park, beach etc and ask the dog walkers.  Take some business cards or postcards with you to hand out giving details of the service you will be starting.  You can get these from your local printer or from sites such as vistaprint.

·         Put an advert in your local paper or magazine.  People always book ahead of time.  Your reply will give you an idea and if you start the business you have wasted nothing and if you don't start a business you have saved a costly mistake.  Adverts take some time to get results so be patient.  You might put in a yellow pages advert if it is that time of the year.  This is slightly more expensive but is the best place to advertise if you start.

You will need to know what size of kennels you will be most profitable and this will help you. In a small area you might also look at a cattery and small animal enclosure as well.

If a kennels is not a viable proposition, look at home sitting – where the dog stays at home and you visit to play with it, feed and walk it. If this does not work – then you have option of dog walking, which itself can be a profitable business.

Sometimes the first in a small town is the profitable one so do your research and good luck.