Top 7 Myths About Pet Business Franchises

Posted on September 06, 2008 by Ginger Watford

There is a saying that "there’s a kernel of truth in every lie" and when it comes to the business world, often times fallacies can arise and discourage an eager entrepreneur, when at their core, there is very little truth behind them. These false beliefs limit the business opportunities of otherwise fully capable businesspeople by turning them away from franchises that, realistically, are perfect matches for their personalities and would provide for their needs excellently. Here are some of the more popular myths about the pet industry and how to avoid the potential problems.

1. "It’s Just A Dog"
If you said that to a dog lover (who statistically make up about half of the American population), it would be advisable to step back a couple feet in order to avoid any physical reactions to such a statement. Though some people really don’t care for animals, those who do care, care adamantly, often considering their dog, cat, or canary a part of the family. And these people are the reason that the pet industry exists; as long as they view their furry companions as children, there will be a huge market for pets and pet products.

2. "A Pet Business Can’t Possibly Be Profitable"
On the contrary, whether it’s a Wild Bird Centers store or an Out-U-Go! dog-walking home based business, every pet business is part of the $43.4bil industry in the United States. I’m sure at some point in our nation’s history, the notion of a store that only sold pet products was laughable, but today it’s a hugely profitable industry with no prospect of dwindling: 63% of America owns a pet, and where there’s a pet, there will be a continued need for pet services and products.

3. "You Need To Have Previous Experience"
This has to be one of the most common misconceptions in all of franchising, which is ironic, because nearly every franchise requires little to no experience. When a new business owner starts his Dogsmith dog training franchise, the franchisor comes alongside to teach him everything that founder Niki Tudge knows about training and business operations; there is no need for him to have anything but the innate desire to succeed in business ahead of time. Although experience in a particular field can only help you new franchise business, it is rarely necessary.

4. "I Couldn’t Possibly Afford A Kennel Or A Storefront"
As a simple statement of personal financial capability, that may be true, but the presupposition that a pet franchise requires a kennel or storefront is far from true; there are plenty of work from home franchises available in the pet market. One good example is Canine Dimensions In-Home Dog Training, a business in which the owner trains both pets and pet owners in their own home. All work is done in your home and the homes of your clients; no storefront required.

5. "A Pet Business Will Be All Play All The Time"
This is akin to saying; "having a baby will be all play all the time" it’s more than a little inaccurate. Pet Supplies Plus, a pet retail business, and Dogtopia, a top-grade canine spa, are both serious businesses. They require large initial investments, meet the needs of hundreds of animals and owners a week, and take constant effort on the part of the owner, just like any other business. The fact that you get to work with dogs and play with kittens is certainly a perk, but in this busy industry, running a serious business will earn you some serious profits, but it will be far from all play, all the time.

6. "All Pet Businesses Are Either Dog Training Or Retail"
Those may be two of the more popular corners of the pet industry, but they are by no means the only options. One option is the Muddy Dog Wash & Coffee Bar. This unique franchise opportunity provides dog grooming and great coffee. A section of the store is setup for retail sales, but the bulk of the business will come in the form of making the dogs look and smell great, and keeping the owners caffeinated. There are few more creative combinations of business models out there, and neither aspect of this particular shop is concerned with training dogs or selling pet food.

7. "You Have To Love Animals To Run A Pet Business"
While it might make more sense to start a business in an industry that you like, it’s not absolutely necessary for a pet business franchisee to be crazy about pets. There is one particular field that comes to mind that would be fine for someone who doesn’t particularly care for pets: waste management. That’s right, businesses like Pet Butler and Hound Mounds work only with the doggy leftover, not the dogs themselves, and while these businesses may not seem glamorous, there is big money to be made in this business as more than 60% of Americans own dogs and 100% of those dogs poop. What’s more, you can run either business in a managerial role and escape personal contact with both the animals and their waste, yet still reap the benefits of the labor.

Whichever myth has kept you away from a franchise in the pet market, it doesn’t have to. This is as viable an opportunity as any other, and equipped with enough information, you can make the pet industry work for you.