How to Have a Successful Pet Grooming Business

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Making a pet grooming business work is no different from any other; it takes time, commitment and dedication to make it work. In this article I look at some key points on how to make sure your pet grooming business flourishes.

1. Goals

As a business owner it is important to set achievable goals. Planning out targets for a day, a week, a month or a year is sensible, and a good way to make sure you achieve targets.

2. Employees

Hiring the right type of staff is key to your success. Whether you hire experienced employees, or you are willing to invest your time to train those new to the industry, the most successful pet grooming businesses have a workforce which cares about the animals and the entire business almost as much as you do.

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3. Networking

Join national, local and online groups related to your business, as well as any relevant small business groups which exist. These provide a great source of advertising, support, information and professional development.

4. Customer service

Make it a habit to communicate with your customers, talk about their pets, see if there are any problems and follow up on your services to make sure that they are happy with what you have to offer. Happy clients are the backbone of a strong business.

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5. Quality standards

Make it a priority to always deliver a high standard of service to all of your pet grooming customers. Always be punctual with your appointments, offer an outstanding service, and try to always go the extra mile. Training your staff to do the same is also important, to maintain the same quality standard at all times.

6. Make extra money

When you have a pet grooming business your main income will be driven by the standard relevant services provided. However, adding a few extras to the menu won't hurt. In fact, a few additional options available to clients could add up to a tidy sum at the end of the month.

Things that you could try are:

6.1 Accessories and toys:

Having a small stock of pet accessories, food, treats, and toys on hand encourages impulse buying.

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6.2 Affiliate marketing

Explore options for promoting certain third party services in your pet salon which will pay you a commission every time you send a customer to one of those service providers. These could include local veterinary clinics, independent pet stores and similar.

7. Pricing

The most successful pet grooming businesses charge realistic but financially viable rates for the services offered. Keep an eye on the rates your competition set by all means, but avoid price wars where you cut profit to the bone. Most pet owners are willing to pay a realistic fee for a top class service with a pet grooming service that cares about their animal.

Establishing and running a successful pet grooming business does take time, effort and dedication, but with thought, planning and determination the sky could well be the limit for your venture.

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Pet hotels – top tips on how to find a truly dog friendly hotel

Around 50% of Americans have a dog as part of their family, enjoying the companionship, fun and loyalty their pet provides. Quite naturally, many dog owners want to travel or take a vacation with their furry friend, only to find that locating a hotel which is dog friendly can be a challenge.

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Why settle for a pet friendly hotel that will just tolerate your dog, rather than a place which offers a genuinely warm welcome? If you are looking to pack your pooch along with a suitcase the top tips featured below will help you find a place to stay that is perfect for all the family.

What to look for in a good dog friendly hotel

Hotels which advertise themselves as pet friendly can range dramatically from those offering only the basics, say dog bowls for food and water, and a bed of some kind, to high-end establishments where dogs have dedicated spa treatments and room service options.

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Whatever the price range may be each hotel or chain will have its own pet guest policies, although these may not always be clearly displayed on their website. For peace of mind, and a positive experience make sure to ask about the following:

• Weight limits. Lots of places place a 25 or 50 pound ceiling on dogs, but this may not be obvious when you make a reservation.
• Extra fees. Ranging from deposits (often non-refundable) to additional daily cleaning fees, these soon add up. Not all hotels apply these surcharges, so it is usually possible to avoid, or at least minimize them.
• Room rules. Some hotels insist dogs are never left alone in a room. This can make family mealtimes impossible.
• Off-limit zones. Often random, but if your dog is not allowed in the grounds it makes exercising a chore.

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The good news is that there are plenty of hotels with a flexible and welcoming attitude, with staff keen to share information on everything from dogsitters to local, dog friendly eateries.

How to find a fantastic dog friendly hotel

Word of mouth is a great way to source the real gems, so make the most of your friend networks and relevant discussion forums or Facebook groups. If that is unrealistic or you simply want more choices an alternative method is to go straight to a specialist website.

Pettravel has a comprehensive website with details of over 35,000 pet friendly hotels, and a clever search engine which makes it easy to find the best place for you. A similar service is offered by Petswelcome. Although the results all feature dog friendly places it is best to call and check on the tips mentioned above, or check any policy statements available carefully.

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Finding a true dog friendly hotel really makes a vacation, so enjoy, as you can be sure your faithful friend will.

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How to Start a Pet Photography Business

If you love animals and have a talent for photography, you are already half-way to starting a pet photography business.

Thanks to cell phones, almost everyone has a camera, and pet owners may take hundreds of animal pictures. To be successful, you need to provide a product that your clients can’t create themselves: an image that captures the pet’s personality, but also serves as a beautiful work of art.

                                                          'Did somebody say cheese?'

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Good equipment and the ability to use it are critical. You may be called upon to photograph animals in motion, at rest, in the dark, in bright sunlight, in cages, and in glass tanks. At a minimum, you will need a DSLR with a fast zoom lens, backup batteries and memory cards. 

Try to use ambient light, but if you must use a flash, bounce it off a reflecting surface, not your subject. If you are not completely confident with your camera, take a course, and practice on your own pets or those of friends.

While you’re at it, build a portfolio and put it on your website. The photography business is wholly visual, and a website is an excellent way to exhibit your best work.

 In addition to business cards, calendars and greeting cards are also good ways to distribute examples of your work to pet-related businesses and potential customers.

                                                          'Make sure you get my best side!'

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Since pets are usually more comfortable at home than in an unfamiliar setting, there is no need for an actual studio. As a mobile photographer, you will travel to the pet and photograph it in its “natural” environment. 

If you decide that you do want your own studio, consider setting aside a room in your own home. Stock pet snacks and toys, and make sure there is a “facilities” area for the comfort of your animal visitors.

A standard job should start with a preliminary client meeting, during which you discuss the type of pet, the setting, and any questions the client has. At this time you also review the contract and have the client sign it and pay a deposit.

The contract should state what the client expects (number of shots, date to receive proofs, how many prints, date of final delivery) and what you expect (deposit, pet preparation and availability, final payment). Additionally, the contract should protect you from liability.

                                                            'I ike to think I'm photogenic.'

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On the day of the photo shoot, the pet will need time to get used to you. Sometimes an assistant is useful in distracting or engaging the animal. The pet should be made to feel comfortable and safe throughout the process.

When your photo shoot is finished, professional photo editing software is necessary for the meticulous work of filling, sharpening, and other minor corrections. 

The next step is sending a complete set of proofs to the client to review. Once they’ve selected which one they would like for the final portrait, that image is printed on high quality photo paper. Be sure to sign your work, and frame it if that is part of your service.

Present your client with their new piece of art, make sure they are happy with it, and ask them to tell their friends about you. Don’t forget your final payment! 

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Starting a Dog Training Business

Dog training services are getting more and more popular, as dog owners are always striving to improve the well-being of their beloved pets.

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If cats could talk …

I’m pretty sure that most pet owners feel they can communicate with their furry, scaly or feathered friends, and cat aficionados are no different. After all, why else would we bother having detailed and sometimes even heartfelt conversations with them?

Still, if you fancy having those daily chats in a mutual language you may not have long to wait, as a British company have developed something quite extraordinary that allows you to do just that – the Catterbox.

No, it’s not April 1^st, they really have designed a collar which they claim translates your cat’s meows into a language you can actually understand.

Currently at the prototype stage, I would bet there’ll be plenty of cat fans out there willing to fund this into reality.

Myself, I’m not so sure I am ready for that. I kind of enjoy thinking I already know what every squeal, purrrrrr and meow my Ginger Pudd is conveying. He very definitely has a Star Trek commander kind of approach, think clipped instruction like this.

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Top 13 Toxic trees to Horses

 

 Toxic plants & Trees and your horse

 

Thankfully, horses usually avoid toxic plants. After all, most poisonous plants are distasteful. Horses are also much larger than dogs, cats, and humans. So where a nibble of some plants may instantly poison you or your other pets, horses have a little leeway. In other words, your horse would have to consume a significant amount of certain less toxic plants to feel any effects.  Although it may not consume large quantities at any given time, the build-up from months of consumption can make the animal sick or may even be fatal.

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