I love animals very much and want to work with them. I am going to be getting out of the military soon and I want to move back to Texas and open a doggy daycare or a no kill animal shelter. Which would be better and how would I go about opening one of these?? Any ideas?
2006-10-08 14:08:01 · 15 answers · asked by CH 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Why not both? Open up mainly as a doggy daycare and do some boarding too. Work on finding one or two dogs a home at a time. By providing boarding services you can keep a these adoption pets at the kennel and let them into daycare for lots of good interaction.People who bring in pets for daycare will tell others about your up for adoption pets. Make sure to show them to people during tours and things. You don't really need much startup in texas(lots of land) Just find a building with the right zoning. Work with your bank and ask about business loans.
2006-10-08 14:12:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I say weigh your options on both of these.
Dogie daycare Is overall a much cheaper operation to start and run. 2-3 large outdoor play areas for the different size dogs. Large indoor play areas. A camera system so pet owners can view their pets on web cam. A groomer and other staff.
A no kill shelter you will need plenty of staff. Lots of volunteers and a strong gut to turn away animals when your shelter is full. You will need some real strict guidelines for your animals and staff.
If you have been reading previous post. A woman posted regarding a problem she was having with a very aggressive pit bull she was trying to rescue from the shelter she volunteered at. A very dangerous situation. So with a shelter your liability will be much higher.
And not all your volunteers will be in the best interest of the shelter. You will get some real nuts and will have to know how to deal with them.
2006-10-08 14:42:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll find that it's very hard to make a living working at an animal shelter (unless you're an Executive Director) so my advice would be to open a doggie daycare. An added bonus: by offering the doggie daycare, you're offering pet owners an alternative to surrendering their pets to the local shelter because they can't deal with separation anxiety -- or they're just too busy or lazy to exercise their dogs. You could, in fact, be doing double duty!!!
Best of luck to you!
2006-10-08 14:30:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! You've chosen one end of the spectrum to the other. Either venture will require a strong knowledge of dog behavior.
Doggy daycare is becoming very popular but most are staffed with people that have had years of experience with dog behavior, nutrition and health.
A no-kill shelter is a vast undertaking, there's lots to consider like finding a facility, staffing it, funding it, having access to a veterinarian to treat sick or injured animals.
Consider volunteering at a local shelter to get some experience and you could also become a foster for a local rescue group. Rescue groups are always looking for fosters, this would be another way to gain knowledge and experience.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
2006-10-08 14:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by trusport 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do BOTH!!
Doggy Day care with a shelter. You could easily combine the two. Not only would the shelter dogs benefit by having "play mates" and learning social skills, but the money from the day care will help fund the shelter. You may be even able to adopt out animals to the clients of your day care- word of mouth is a GREAT advertiser. I am not sure how it would work out as far as the details go- but this is what came to my mind..
2006-10-08 14:11:57 · answer #5 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shelter may give you state and local assistance with the funds. Plus you are really helping the problem with over population and abandonment.
I will say the day care is cool but you do know some people are very picky about their pets and you will have to be on top of the whole pampering bit. But a shelter you are helping make families and saving lives.
2006-10-08 14:17:32 · answer #6 · answered by Thetruthbetold 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Working for a no kill shelter will give you the experience you'll need to start a doggie daycare business of your own without any of the costs. If you start your own business you'll have to deal with insurance issues, certification issues, zoning and kennel licensing issues, the costs of dog food, toys, etc... You'll also have to know how to handle dog fights; unwanted pregnancies; lawsuits from disgruntled owners...
2006-10-08 14:15:39 · answer #7 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a doggy daycare could be a great source for income, in regards to how to get it running, perhaps you could get info from the Humane Society or local Town Hall.
2006-10-08 14:35:00 · answer #8 · answered by buddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in simple terms hit upon a generic boarding kennel, or board him at your Vet medical institution. BTW, i don't think of you should open a domestic dog day care till you will get your 3 year previous to give up hitting your person canines. hi, you are the only that asked that question purely a couple of minutes in the past. preserve what's under your person roof first in the previous bringing in extra havoc which you will not administration. So no, your thought would not sound like relaxing. It looks like a nightmare.
2016-11-27 01:43:50 · answer #9 · answered by ison 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doggy Dar Care sounds better and more fun! An Animal Shelter sounds mean...(Not that I don't know what it means or anything)
2006-10-08 14:12:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋