Pet Service Franchises are Taking a Bite Out of the Multi-Billion Dollar Pet Care Industry

Pets are beloved family members that occupy a special place in peoples’ hearts. As families become increasingly busy and juggle hectic schedules, caring for their pets is a responsibility they’re often outsourcing. Just as people hire someone to clean their house or mow their lawns, consumers are hiring experts to train and clean up after their dogs. Many pet franchises are capitalizing on this trend. The opportunity for pet franchises is tremendous. It is estimated that in 2008, $3 billion will be spent on pet services, much of it with pet franchises.

With 45% of U.S. households owning at least one dog (according to the 2007-08 National Pet Owners Survey), the need for dog training services, like those provided by Pet Depot and Canine Dimensions franchises is growing. By changing dogs destructive behaviors they help transform chaotic households into blissfully peaceful homes where people and their dogs coexist happily.

“There are no statistics on the number of dog trainers in the country, but the Association of Pet Dog Trainers only has about 5000 members. So with an increasing population of 74 million dogs in America, there’s lots of room for good dog trainers to enter the field,” explained Phil Guida, President of Canine Dimensions In-home Dog Training.

One of the most compelling reasons that dog owners seek professional help with their dog’s behavior is aggression. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that dog bites cost the public about $1 billion annually. With the number of dogs on the rise, the number of behavior problems rises accordingly, along with the need for qualified trainers like the franchise owners at Canine Dimensions. A love of dogs is helpful, but previous experience working with dogs is not required to own a dog training franchise.

Cleaning up After Dogs is Big Business

Even once pet parents have gotten their pooches behavior issues under control there is still the pesky, never-ending chore of cleaning up after their dogs to contend with. Smaller yards, stricter pooper-scooper laws and increased awareness of the health hazards of dog excrement have boosted the dog waste removal business. Busy families prefer to spend their time playing with their pets rather than cleaning up after them. Dog waste removal franchises like Doo Care and Pet Butler have responded with professional pooper scooper services.

Pet Butler and Doo Care franchisees don’t actually scoop poop themselves; instead they hire and manage a staff that performs the work. A typical dog produces 274 pounds of waste each year. That, combined with the more than 74 million dogs in the U.S. and the general dislike of what our furry friends leave behind has made pet waste disposal a tremendous business opportunity. In addition to being part of the multi-billion dollar pet care industry, pooper scooper franchises are also environmentally-friendly businesses. The consumer movement towards leading ‘green’ lives and caring for the environment is huge. Pet waste removal franchises combine two issues people are extremely passionate about- caring for their pets and the earth.

Whether you choose to own a dog training franchise or waste removal business, the market potential for pet service franchises is as enduring as the relationships between people and their pets.

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