How to Start a Pet Transportation Business
Pet Transportation Services are essential as the number of pets in the U.S. is growing tremendously over the past few years. According to the U.S. Pet ownership and Demographics sourcebook, you'll find an estimated 60 million dogs and 70 million cats in American homes today. Aside from that, households which own pets happen to be recorded to spend 36% more in 2001 in comparison with 1996. With this, owning a business that caters to your dog market, including a pet transportation service has lots of potential for healthy growth.
It's because the fact that many Americans move the country yearly and so would require pet transportation services to go their pets as well. On a smaller scale, pet transportation services may also cater for local residents who want these services to transport their pets both to and from the vet, in just a local area or even to the crematorium for pets which have died.
Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:
Financing can be obtained from investors who might be interested in the potentials for these a business. Other than that, lending institutions such as banks can be approached to obtain a loan for that business. As with any business start-up, an extraordinary business plan must be produced for potential investors and financiers, indicating the possibility growth as well as the estimated annual costs and revenue in the business.
Promoting:
As you are targeting owners, the best marketing approach would in promoting in locations where owners would go. Reading material for owners as well as events which are attended by the same target group. Placing brochures within pet stores and possibly awarding pet stores with commissions for each customer they recommend to you personally would be a good idea. Advertising in pet magazines or receiving a write up on your services will be helpful. Of course, classified ads in the Yellow pages really are a must in order to make it easy for customers to locate you.
Other channels of promotion would be participation as a vendor in dog shows or exhibitions. It will help increase awareness on the existence of the business. Additionally, utilizing associations such as the American Kennel Association would create and improve visibility to pet breeders and pet store owners. Especially when you take part in events organized by these associations.
Launching a web site and allowing customers to get instant price estimates out of your website would be also a great idea.
Essential Equipment
Ecommerce requires a fair level of equipment, in which the most critical would be the vehicle that is utilized to transport the animals. As well as that, other equipment including crates, kennels and carriers may be needed as some customers will not have these items with them. The size and usage of these crates must be according to the guidelines set by the Independent Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA).
Handlers and drivers must be employed to care for the animals when they are in transit. Other equipment required will be built-in sinks within the vehicle to allow for easy cleaning and water refills.
Recommended training, experience, or needed skills:
There isn't any extensive training necessary for a pet transportation service business. However, good and responsible drivers and animal handlers need to be engaged. It would be best if you have a background and expertise in handling animals during travel so you can train your staff and ensure that they are handling animals inside the correct manner. As well as that, your staff must also can deal if they encounter problems throughout the journey, and should also be equipped with the latest kennel and vet location information in the case of emergencies.
Apart from that, the company owner must be well informed on all legal requirements pertaining to pet transportation. By way of example, there are IPATA guidelines on the size of crates and wire crates which are required by law. Moreover, all pets has to be accompanied by an inter-state travel certificate that is certified by a veterinarian.
Income potential:
The wages potential of this business is dependent on how large the business grows to. A larger business with multiple offices and destinations are able to sustain a higher sales volume. With this, the pet transportation business should be able to generate at least a six- figure income each and every year.
Target market:
Pet owners, pet stores and animal breeders.
Success tips:
A pet transportation business requires investment as well as a passion for welfare of animals for it to be successful. As it is additionally a niche market, lots of promoting need to be invested in the business in order to create the notice of the services.
