Equipment and Supplies Checklist for Starting a Dog Daycare

Starting a dog daycare and kennel business can be an exciting venture. It's also a pretty lucrative venture if you do it right. It's one thing to imagine opening a dog daycare or kennel business. It's another thing entirely to actually get the process started. That said, it's important to have a comprehensive list of all the equipment and supplies you'll need in order to ensure the well-being of the dogs in your care and the success of your business.

In this blog post, we'll go over a basic equipment and supplies checklist for starting a dog daycare and kennel. This isn't going to be a 100% comprehensive list, that's just too long to write out. You'll also realize that you need certain things once you get started. Maybe you're convinced you need a digital entry system at the start, but you realize that it actually wasn't really needed. Best to take it slow and just get the basics first. No need to blow your budget on unnecessary equipment.

Indoor and Outdoor Play Areas

Having designated indoor and outdoor play areas for the dogs is essential for their physical and mental well-being. The outdoor play area should be secure and have ample space for the dogs to run and play. The indoor play area should have enough space for the dogs to play and socialize with each other. If you're lucky enough to have property around your facility, you're set. Fence it in, build a security fence and you're golden. If your business is located in an old strip mall or similar, you're not going to have any outdoor space but you can focus on making the indoor space the best possible.

Sleeping Areas

Each dog should have its own designated sleeping area that is comfortable and secure. You'll need to provide each dog with a clean and cozy bed or crate. It's best to keep your dogs separated when they're sleeping. This way, you can breathe easily knowing that there won't be any fights during nap time. If you have slots, you can assign a pet to each slot. If you're a house boarder, you can put each pet into a different room or into their owner-provided crate.

Feeding and Watering Stations

Adequate feeding and watering stations are important to ensure the dogs are well-nourished while they're in your care. Make sure to provide each dog with its own food and water bowl. Just like for sleeping areas, the feeding areas should be separate. Feeding time is a prime time for dogs to fight one another, so it's best to feed all the dogs in separate areas so that each dog gets their food in a stress-free environment.

Leashes and Collars

Having a variety of leashes and collars on hand is important in case the dog's owner forgets to bring one. Make sure to have different sizes and styles of leashes and collars to accommodate all sizes of dogs. Obviously, you're going to want your clients to provide their own leashes and collars. However, you're always going to have that one client that forgets to bring their leash when they drop off Fido for his boarding appointment. It's best to have extra equipment on hand so that you can make sure you always have enough leashes and collars.

Cleaning Supplies

Having a good supply of cleaning supplies is important to maintain a clean and sanitary environment for the dogs. This includes disinfectants, paper towels, and trash bags. For certain areas of your dog daycare, you're going to want to use pet safe products. For other areas, you can rely on Windex and standard cleaners. You get the idea.

First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is a must for any dog daycare and kennel. Make sure to include items such as antiseptic wipes, bandages, and a thermometer. You never know when you're going to have an incident. This might be a dog incident or it might be an employee that cuts themself while opening a bag of dog food. Having a first aid kit is a must.

Toys and Chews

Providing the dogs with a variety of toys and chews will help keep them entertained and mentally stimulated while they're in your care. Head on over to Reddit to see what people are saying are the best chew toys. The list is constantly changing, so it's nice to see what's popular these days.

Computers and Software

Having a computer and software to manage the day-to-day operations of your dog daycare and kennel is essential. Look for software that can handle scheduling, billing, and record-keeping. DoggieDashboard is a great option for new businesses that are looking for low-cost software that gets the job done.

Marketing Materials

Having a good supply of marketing materials is important for promoting your business and attracting new customers. This can include brochures, flyers, and business cards. Work with a graphic designer to design all your marketing materials at the start. They can give you all the necessary files and then you just need to print out more flyers or business cards when the time comes.

Insurance

It's important to have insurance coverage to protect your business and the dogs in your care. Look for insurance that covers liability, property damage, and any injuries or illnesses that may occur while the dogs are in your care. Talk with a dog daycare insurance provider to make sure you're covered for different types of incidents. Having a good policy will give you peace of mind.

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