Dogs Love Running! - the blog for pet owners and pet professionals
Pet Sitting vs. Dog Walking Franchise: Which Is Best?
Are you investigating the pet franchise industry and wondering how a pet sitting franchise might compare to a dog walking franchise? Are you wondering which might be best for you?
Here's a quick and easy overview on how to compare the two so you can determine which may be the best choice for your particular situation.
First of all, it's important to note that many consumers use the terms "pet sitting" and "dog walking" interchangeably. However, from a business owner's perspective, these are actually two different types of services and often have different objectives. Let's take a look at both of them.
Pet Sitting:
"Pet Sitting" would typically be defined as providing a service where you'd visit a client's pet(s) at the client's home while they're away. It does not entail the client bringing their pet to you (this would be more of a "pet boarding" service). How many times you vist the pet would depend on how long the owner is away. If they were gone for a 24-hour period, dogs typically would receive 3 or 4 individual visits. Cats, fish, and other similar household pets might only need 1 visit during that same amount of time.
Dog Walking:
"Dog Walking" is also a service where you'll visit the client's home. Owners are typically away at work, school, or another place during the day that makes it difficult for them to get back home easily and quickly to tend to their dog. So, they'll have you come and take the dog out instead. You'll usually visit just 1 time during the day and it will probably be somewhere around the lunch hour.
So, Of The Two, Which Is The Best Type of Business?
The "best" opportunity is largely dependent on what you're looking for in a business. Here are some things to keep in mind when determining which might work for you:
- There are generally more internet searches going on for "pet sitting" related terms than for "dog walking". So, there are many sitting clients to be had out there.
- Sitting clients typically only need you 1, 2, or 3 times a year since they're not often away from their home for more than a day. This means that you're only working for them a couple times during an entire year.
- There are lots of peaks and valleys in pet sitting demand. You'll be very busy a few times a year, like for holidays, but not very busy at all during other parts of the year.
- When providing a sitting service, your activities will typically be related to pet care, such as feeding, medication, bathroom breaks, and ensuring the general safety of the pet.
- Dog Walking clients will generally use your services all year long because whenever they're at work (or wherever they are during the day), they'll need your help.
- Walking clients might use you 2, 3, 4, or even 5 days a week.
- Because walking clients use you multiple times per week all year long, walking services generally provide a more stable and predictable revenue stream. This also makes scheduling for you (and your staff) easier because you know far in advance of what visits need to be made.
- Walking visits are typically less focused on feeding and care and more focused on letting the dog stretch their legs, providing some exercise, and breaking up an otherwise boring day with some love and attention.
- Some walking clients might be especially interested in the exercise aspect of things and may even prefer a dog running service.
There really is no "best" way to go because both types of businesses have their pros and cons. For our dog walking franchise opportunity, we focus more on the walking/running service because it fits our particular business model best. As long as you know what you're getting into and why, either can work for you.