Small animal boarding?

Question

Would I have to be registered and insured to start a small animal boarding business from my home? Any advice appreciated (UK only). Thanks

Answer 1

Step1.

Write a business plan that will assist in getting loan approval, enhance the growth of the business and outline the strategy for continued success.

Step2.

Determine the location of your boarding business. Before you start any paperwork or licensing, you must have a location in mind. Will you work out of your home, or will you build a kennel in a different location?

Step3.

Contact your local city planning and zoning office and ask about requirements for establishing an animal boarding business in the location of your choice. You may need to apply for a permit before you can build or establish a business. In some cases, it may take weeks or months for the permit to be approved.

Step4.

Choose a location to start an animal boarding business that has convenient access. The property should be large enough to provide the animals plenty of exercise room, but within the limits of your ability to maintain.

Step5.

Determine how you want to set up the boarding arrangement. For dogs, the options include cages, cage-free facilities, indoor and outdoor runs and private rooms. Cats require separate enclosures.

Step6.

Take into account the volume of business you can realistically expect in your locality. If animal boarding facilities are few or nonexistent, a larger facility may be required than in locations where there is competition for business.

Step7.

Anticipate the needs of staff to assist with the animal care you will provide. You may need addditional professional help if you plan to offer individual pet time, obedience training, yard playtime and grooming.

Step8.

Develop an advertising campaign to saturate the region. websites, newspaper ads, announcements on public bulletin boards and local veterinarian offices are places to promote your business

Good Luck and hope this is helpful

Answer 2

Your council can tell you. I was looking into breeding huskies and it depends on how many animals you are going to board. If you are over a certain amount of boarders legislation kicks in. You have to have kennels a certain size, heating, business insurance I think is mandatory as you are resposible and liable for accidents injuries to animals and their owners that enter your business. It affects your mortgage as it becomes a business mortgage which is a higher rate. Your home/building insurance changes. You have to look into noise regulations in your area re neighbours. You have to check your deeds to your house to see if it allows you to operate a business from your home. Phew...that's all I can remember but it's not as easy.

Answer 3

You would certainly need insurance, though not sure about the registering thing.

My mother-in-law runs a pet sitting business and is registered with NARP, National Association of Registered Petsitters and pays for insurance for herself and 2 helpers.

Though I'm sure you could run your own business freelance? But like I say, no-one will risk leaving their pets with you if you weren't insured!!

Answer 4

To start such a small business, you can always start small and build up.

If you want just to try it out, then go for it. You can get stuck on forever in details if you try to read everything on it, out there.

The most important thing for a business success is passion, so if you find you cannot deal with the whole small animal boarding, and you are still very small and not yet registered, it will be easier to jump out off it.

If after three months or so you see you love it, then contact the people at the small animals boarding at http://www.smallanimalsboarding.co.uk/

or at least check their website.

I left my rabbit there this year and it was very good. What I liked the most is how homey it felt, so being small in this business is a good thing. Knowing that you rabbit, hamster, etc... will be inside someones house, instead of a larger cold room with lots of hutches or even outside is definitely a plus.

If you will remain small and work alone, you will be alright without things like insurance, as long as you make sure to write an agreement where the owner of the pet signs agreeing that you are not liable for death of an animal due to diseases contracted before they were left with you or due to age, so on so for....

Go for it!