Could you pal up with a pet (Daily Mail franchise story)

Could you pal up with a pet?

Daily Mail

By: LINDA WHITNEY

A LOVE of animals could be the basis of a good business — but make sure you also have a sense of humour.

'Nothing is too much for our clients. One customer asked us to wave to their tropical fish, swish around their water and ensure they did not miss East- Enders,' says Monica Loosely of Pals4pets.

When not entertaining fish, franchisees match pets with people who provide home boarding and petcare. You need management skills and you must be sales-minded.

'The key is building up relationships with cash-rich, time-poor clients,' says Mrs Loosley, whose clients include Maureen Lipman and members of the Royal Family. Set up cost is £10,000.

Karen Sibson, Bury franchisee with pet services company Petpals, says: 'I was asked to introduce myself to a client's cat down the phone, then hug its owner when we met in person, to show the cat we were friends.'

Petpals franchisees offer pet visits, dog-walking, housesitting, pet-boarding, pet transport, foods and supplies. The £12,500 franchise cost includes training and insurance.

As well as a way with animals, pet franchisees need a way with people, too. Marcus Woodward of Bark Buster, whose franchisees tackle dog behaviour, says: 'It's about training the owners to retrain their dogs, so you have to be good at dealing with people.' Start-up cost, £17,250.

The range of pet services is expanding. Animals At Home franchisees already provide numerous pet services, and offer pet cremations.

Most franchisees start as owner-operators but are encouraged to move into management.

Set-up cost, £14,000.

If you like the outdoor life, consider the Dog Walking Company. Its franchisees collect dogs, walk them, and return them clean and dry. The £15,000 fee includes weatherproof clothing and the deposit on a gas-fuelled van.

Bugsie's Mobile Dog Wash franchisees offer dog washing from a specially adapted van at customers' homes. It can be tricky. 'One dog has to be tempted with cheese,' says franchisor Martin Curry. The £11,995 cost covers equipment and training, including a microchipping course.

Franchisees with The Bunnery run a hotel for rabbits and other small furry animals.

The £8,975 set-up cost includes animal pens, and you will need spare space, such as a garage.

New franchise Kirsty's Horses offers horse-sitting services.

You need a British Horse Society Stage One, or equivalent, horse care qualification and the £4,995 investment includes a mentor and training.

PEOPLE OFTEN ASK FOR ADVICE'

HUGH and Julie Allam, pictured with their Rhodesian ridgeback Beka, run an Oscar Petfood delivery franchise from their home on Knaphill, Surrey.

'Sometimes we take Beka with us on the delivery round. Customers look forward to seeing him,' says Hugh, 56.

It involves more than just delivering pet foods and accessories. 'We talk to our customers about their pets and give nutritional advice. Some customers call us about pet problems, and Oscar's has a veterinary hotline we can ring for help,' says Hugh.

You need more than just a love of animals. 'It is about selling,' says Hugh, 'but not the hard sell. I enjoy knocking on doors to market the service.

People are almost always keen to talk about their pets.

'We also promote the business at local dog shows and fetes. Selling pet supplies is a people business — you must be able get on well with pet owners,' says Hugh.

The Oscar franchise costs £14,995..

• Request information from the Oscar Pet Foods franchise here!
  
• Pals4Pets 0208 201 1606
• Petpals 01264 326 362
• Animals at Home 08701 126 613
• Bark Busters 0808 100 4071
• Dog Walking Co 01323 871 121
• Bugsie's 0800 169 2288
• The Bunnery 01527 873 467
• Kirsty's Horses 0845 050 7946