Home Dog Boarding Business

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eschifer

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Hi, My Partner and I are thinking of starting our own Home Boarding Business with 1-2-1 dog walking and possibly dog day care for those who wish.

We have looked into various sides of it and know about certain areas.

We need some advice on the other, more business side of it, so for anyone who has an at home boarding business, could you offer advice on what we need to do.

Inland Revenue
Council Tax
Insurance
How you take payments and bookings (do you take non-refundable deposits and pre-book)
Should we have a small business bank account?

Anything about the business side would be helpful.

Thank you in advance. Esch :-)
 
I do home boarding and really enjoy it. So do our guests! We have a maximum of six dogs in the day for day care. Three at night.

Inland Revenue - you need to register as self employed with the name of your business.

Insurance - is a must. We are insured with Clivertons.

How you take payments and bookings (do you take non-refundable deposits and pre-book) - payment in cash or electronic transfer. We will take a cheque if we know the client well. Bookings are taken after we've met the dog to assess their suitability. And if it's a full stay of a week or more we take a £50 non refundable deposit. We offer a discount for two dogs from the same home.

If the first question they ask is 'how much?' them they can't afford you.

I find out as much as I can on the phone on the initial enquiry and if it all sounds good invite them to come and meet us. It's only at that point that they're given our full address.

Should we have a small business bank account? - yes, and quite a few banks offer a good small business account with low or no charges.

Anything about the business side would be helpful. - decide on your market. Ours is small dogs, as ours is small and i don't want her bounced around by bigger dogs.(We will however take larger quieter dogs). When we meet the dog if our dog says 'no then so do we. Don't be afraid to say no.

Find out about your competitors, but also introduce yourself. I work with two other home boarders in the sense that we refer to each other (if we're full/think the dog is a better fit there/here ect.

You need to be licensed.

I don't take bull breeds.

Dogs must be vaccinated and neutered/ spayed.

There is a really good new book out available from Amazon called Starting Your Own Dog Home Boarding Business. By Tamsin Stone.

You won't get rich, but if you're happy to work hard, enjoy the outdoors and dogs you'll enjoy it.

Any other questions - just ask.
 
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Thank you amymay for the information and giving such detail. It has helped a lot.

I never thought to introduce ourselves to our competitors, that could be a useful business practice.

If we think of anything else I will be sure to ask,

Once again, thank you.
 
I think AmyMay has a very sensible approach , and I speak as a bullbreed owner so wouldn't get in lol but I would have far more respect for a day crèche who is choosy to make sure dogs are compatible than a pile em in I just want the money type operation.
 
I think we would have to take small breeds a well as our dogs weigh 3.45kg and 4.75kg so are small and although I could handle a bull breed, my little one shy's away from much larger dogs

I would hate for them to get squished by a Great Dane!
 
Ours go to a family in the village. We pay cash, up front for the week/weekend/block of walks.

We have a greyhound and a terrier, they have three labradors of their own. The dogs love it, and come home pkaye out!!!
 
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