opinions please?

Question

in about a year im going off to college to major in business.
should i open a doggy day care .. or a non-kill animal shelter?
ive always wanted to open an animal shelter but can i make a decent living on it? i mean its not really about the money, i just wanna make enough to survive on. or maybe i could do both and have a doggy day care AT the shelter.
i dont know.

and how would i go about doing this? and what classes should i take once i start college? *if this helps* i wanna go to North Carolina State University, and plan on opening up a business.

thanksss

obviously i know about dogs if i want to open a shelter. i have 3. im almost 18 and just because im a teenager doesnt mean i dont know anything about dogs. its what i WANT to do and thats the only business i wanna get into.

and obviously if i was going to put a day care and shelter together they're going to get vet checked before even ENTERING the day care part.

im not that stupid.

thanks to everyone else who actually helped me with this question and to anyone else to answers after this.

Answer 1

Ok ,,,, you will be learning this in school, but I am going to emphasize it.
Until you invest in property to put your business on, the only thing you will have at night when you go home is the cash that is in your pocket. After you invest in property to put your business on, investments becomes your business and what you put on the property becomes secondary. So you are really worrying about the wrong things.

The way I designed my kennels was to accomplish almost exactly the same thing as you, except the separation was between my dogs and clients dogs.

The trusses (roof) is 32' across with a 12' wide building down the center. This allows for 10' outside runs under the roof on both sides and 4' runs inside on each side with a 4' isle down the center. this way each dog has a outside run with a 4' bed aria inside. And I can segregate my dogs on one side and clients dogs on the other.
see pic
http://www.hunt101.com/img/438579.jpg

What I am trying to emphasize is don't limit your business to just one thing, take your time and think it all through.
and good luck to you

Answer 2

If you want to open a shelter/doggy day care, it would be a really great idea to do a vet nurse course (may be the same as vet tech in US?). Courses in animal psychology, behavior.

If you wanted to cater for all, you could open a "complex" similar to where I volunteer.
It has the council pound (for both dogs and cats), dog welfare (those for re-housing), cat welfare(those for re-housing), boarding kennels (that also has doggy day care), boarding cattery, vetinary clinic.
All are on the same site, but totally seperate buildings.
There are a core of employed people, but most of the work is done by volunteers. It is certainly not a money making venture. The boarding facilities and vet clinic help support the welfare area. Even with all the facilities that bring in money, it is never enough. Stray and unwanted cats and dogs continue to come in.

Your heart is in the right place, but to start a business where welfare animals are involved, you need to start with lots of funds.

By the way, the only reason any of ours are put down is temprement or major health issues. (Mind you a lot find their way to the volunteer's homes .... LOL)

Answer 3

Most animal shelters are LUCKY if they make enough to cover their costs before even thinking about paying any employees. Most require volunteer workers and donations just to keep their doors open. No-kill shelters have even higher operating costs....due to supporting long-term residents, many of whom have chronic medical care expenses. I wouldn't count on being able to make a living at it.

My suggestion? It's entirely too early in your life to decide exactly WHAT business you want to go into. You need to get some business and management courses under your belt first. Talk to your guidance counselor in high school, and when you get to college. They'll be able to help you. Also...interview current business owners.

Answer 4

Well if I were you I would open a no kill shelter. there are many places that you can take a pet to be pampered and they offere services like day care. My heart has always been set on saving animals, I have six dogs all which I have rescued except for my Maltese. It all depends on where your heart is. if you are not in it for the money and you want to make enough just to survive, you can apply for all sorts of government grants for small buisnesses. once you are established and known in your community you can get donations from local buisnesses. To get you started you might want to get involved in a local shelter to learn the basics. Its hard work. but worth it.

Answer 5

You will not make a lot of money. Finish your business degree and work on a business plan for your animal care dreams. You could try dog sitting while in college to help you develop your business plan as experience is an excellent teacher.

Answer 6

if you want to make ANY money do not go into the "business" of dog rescue. Unless you want to be haunted for the rest of your life, and go to the grave still owing thousands upon thousands of dollars to the local vets...and yeah... not a good idea to mix rescue and "doggie day care"... one diseased dog... one kennel cough... one parvo virus... and yer done. By the way... do you know anything about dogs?

Answer 7

well u can start this but u should somewon else with u also so that in your absence he/she can take care of the dogs....