What will I be doing?

More than 12,000 kennels are now operated in the U.S. with the majority of them located on the same property where the owner lives. Running a kennel is an ideal home business.

There are many reasons why people use kennels: The owners are away for the weekend or for six months in Indonesia; the owner is in the hospital
or nursing home for a short stay or the animal must be quarantined in an approved facility for a few weeks.

What services do kennels offer? They provide lodging, food and care to pets on behalf of their owners. Kennels take care of pets, typically dogs, on a short-term or long-term basis.

What will I need to start?

To start a kennel you must first know and love dogs. You don’t have to be a veterinarian, but you will need to attend to the health needs of dogs in your care. You must recognize and sometimes treat health problems yourself.

Of course, you’ll need a fenced kennel structure where you can keep the dogs. The more business you intend to seek, the larger the area you will need to house the dogs as well as to permit them space for exercise. You may also have facilities for cats or other pets, depending on your interests and local need. Designs for kennels are available in books on dog breeding and from kennel builders advertising in dog magazines. Of course, make sure your kennel complies with local zoning and health regulations.

One other thing you’ll need: understanding neighbors. Don’t try to set up a kennel in a residential neighborhood where barking will annoy people.

Who will my customers be?

Customers for your kennel include individuals with pets as well as companies and retailers. For example, one successful metropolitan kennel catered to area pet stores who needed a place to keep animals they had purchased but couldn’t bring to the store, or animals under quarantine.

Most kennels offer services to the general public, working through local kennel clubs, advertising in newspapers and specialty publications and by referral from animal shelters.