Working with dogs what would I need?

[BlackDiamond]

To run a boarding kennel? What would you like to see me have qualification wise?
I have experience volunteering in rescue kennels so have practical experience but wonderig what type of qualifications you'd like to see?

Also does anyone know where I could do a night course? Or part time course?

Thanks!!

 

[CAYLA]

I run a boarding business, im a nurse (animal) not human

, but I dont always tend to mention that unless neccessary, unless someone else has recommended me, and already told, I did attend an agricultural college when I left college of which part of the course was health and safety/regulations, kennel and cattery management,which basically covered everything from health and safety to kennel sizes, waste disposal, zoonotic diseasees e,t,c, I did ot want to run a boarding establishment back then

, it was just part of the course, Im licensed and regulated, otherwise the above are not manditory to run kennels, apart from the license and inspection of establishment to required standards,

just gives you a bit of insight if you have little experience.
It does help to have some knowledge, experience, as clients want to feel safe in leaving their pet in the care of boarding type establishments that come over as professional, but more so caring and responsible, you need good people skills too.

You can do courses for kennel/cattery managememt, some home based learning courses, if you wanted some certification.

If you need any info, give me a shout, I will try and find the name of the college that my friend did her animals management courses from.

 

[BlackDiamond]

Thank you Cala, I think yuo are very right saying that a huge amount of the decision as to where customers leave their pets - is where THEY feel comfortable and safe! I am totally energised by my new career path and cannot wait to get started! How did you find your kennels - did you have it before?

 

[CAYLA]

I was pretty lucky, and I had a fantastic business route/contacts, my mam is head nurse in a private practice, and manages about 4 in all, and she also runs a rescue, I take all of the rescues back for their holidays aswell as what I class as private clients (non rescue/vets clients, to be truthfull I have never advertised for my business, due to this ready made contact route

, and I have been very successfull, to the point OH has given up his job to help run the business.
I have a huge garden, with a big cattery for my boarding cats and I have a doggy room for boarding dogs with an outside play area, I don't kennel my boarders, which is why I am always fully booked I think, I have not had a single day of the year where I have not had a boarder in, Im all for socialising/mixing all my dogs, so aslong as the dogs are all vaxed, they all mix, they are not kept seperately, unless Im not here to keep an eye on them.

I also train/doggi walk and groom, so being able to branch out has helped....my OH now does the doggi walking, and I groom a few times a month, the few clients I choose to keep on after giving up working in my grooming salon due to a serious illness at the time.
I work as a night nurse 2 nights a week, so added benefit no vet fees for me

Good luck, it really is a fab job, and is one of the better paid business options within the animal industry.
If u need any advise, just give me a shout.

 

[BlackDiamond]

Thank you - thats great. I am feeling really positive - Im sure I'll be bugging you soon!!