No need to be barking

No need to be barking

By: Linda Whitney

LOVE animals? A pet care franchise can make animals your business. Be prepared for a quirky life, full of variety.

'Pet care is an industry that brings you a lot of laughs,' says Monica Loosley of Pals4Pets.

'We have had clients asking us to put the television on as company for pet fish, a dog that jumps into a basket to be transported up and down stairs and a cat that jumped on to a desk, pressed the telephone's memory key and dialled its owner who was in South Africa.' Pals4Pets franchisees provide a range of services for pet owners including dog walking, puppy care, animal sitting, arranging boarding with host families and even cat cuddling — sending someone round to fuss over your cat when you can't be there.

Before you start, think about what skills you bring to the business, and whether you want a small business or something you can grow.

'We look for people keen to get into management who will ultimately recruit staff to do the day-to-day pet care,' says Monica Loosley, who is looking for more franchisees with £20,000 to invest.If you prefer animals to people, think twice about getting into business with pets. 'Every animal has an owner and the ability to deal with people is as important as a love of animals,' says Lee Southern from home-from-home pet care franchise Barking Mad.

Lee's franchisees find and check host families for pet owners looking for an alternative to kennels, so you are not looking after the animals yourself. You need administration and marketing skills and an investment of £11,500. You also require a broad mind in this business.

'You cannot afford to look at an owner as if they are crazy if they ask you to put a dog in a jumper before taking it for a walk,' says Victoria Reinthal of new pet sitting franchise Paw Pals. 'Some animals have a vast and expensive wardrobe.

One dog we know of has a dressing-gown to put on after returning from its walk.' It is not just dogs and cats you may be dealing with.

'Our franchisees have accompanied a pony being visited by the vet and bottle-fed two lambs,' says Victoria. 'We have had interesting requests such as putting on the radio as company for a budgie.' For Paw Pals you need an investment of £6,500.

Happy Tailz is a new franchise that involves providing pet care services for small animals.

'It is not just dogs — our franchisees have looked after cats and reptiles,' says founder Rachael Taplin.

You have to be the outdoor type as you'll be offering dog walking. It can be a full or part-time business and may suit mums who can fit the job in round the family.

If you love rabbits, consider The Bunnery, a business that involves providing a holiday home for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals. You need a garage or large shed big enough to house a range of pens that arrive as flat packs. The cost is £8,975.

¦ Pals4Pets 020 8201 1606, Barking Mad 01524 276476, Paw Pals 01793 770759, Happy Tailz 0870 0622214, The Bunnery 01527 873467..

'I'M TAKING A CAT TO ITALY'

RAY WALL, 48, is the Animals At Home franchisee in Manchester.

'I have always been an animal lover and once was a trainee RSPCA inspector — so after a career in motor finance, I decided to set up in business with an animal franchise,' says Ray from Worsley.

He provides cat feeding, pet sitting, veterinary visits and dog walking, but most of all enjoys animal transport.

'I have collected a pug from Belgium and will soon be taking a cat to Italy,' he says. 'But be realistic: it is not all sunny walks with dogs. It can be cold and wet, and taking animals to the vet can sometimes be a oneway journey. You must be empathetic with pet owners because they love their pets.' Denis Chirgwin from Animals At Home says: 'We look for franchisees who are businessminded animal lovers. You must be keen to grow the business.' Animals At Home provides veterinary hospital training and is a full-time job costing from £12,500. Call 08701 126613.

¦ MARKETING is vital to franchise success, so it pays to choose one that is good at it.

This year's franchise marketing awards included Cash Converters, MRINetwork, NBC Bird And Pest Solutions, Gymboree, Tumble Tots, ReactFast and Prontaprint..