The pet resort industry consistently grew year over year between 2016 and 2020, seeing greater than 6% growth during those years. Currently estimated at $8 billion per year for non-vet pet care, the forecast is for continued growth in this lucrative niche market.
With greater than 38 percent of U.S. households owning dogs and more than a quarter of American households owning cats, the desire for pet owners to provide quality care for their pets in their absence is a wide and growing market. During the pandemic, people stayed at home with their pets, but now that they are beginning to return to the workplace and travel again for both pleasure and business, they’ll need pet resort services soon. If you like animals, this may be a good time to explore owning this type of business.
What pet resorts offer
Not familiar with pet resorts? They come in many flavors, but at the core, they are places for pets to stay and be cared for while their owners are away. Like hotels or resorts for people, these come in all levels of services and quality. Some are simply clean, safe places for pet owners to board their pets, while others offer a variety of extra services (think “high-end spa”). While the most common clientele for pet resorts are dogs and cats, some will also provide daycare and/or board other small animals. Over 90%+ of pet resorts offer all services: lodging, daycare, enrichment activities, grooming and some training. That is what sets a ‘resort’ apart from a ‘kennel’ that is mainly overnight boarding. When boarding, pets are typically staying a couple of nights to a couple of weeks at a pet resort, but some offer more extended stays of up to a few months. Understanding what is appropriate for your market will take a little research.
As pet owners are becoming more tech-savvy, some trends in the pet boarding and resort industry are setting businesses apart from the crowd. For example, with online reservations, pet owners are able to log in to see availability and schedule their pet’s stay 24 hours a day. This is a perk that many busy pet owners highly value. They also love resorts that capture and stream video footage, allowing owners to check in on their pets at anytime from anywhere. These are beloved members of the owner’s family and they want to be able to confirm they are well.
Other extras that help a pet resort stand apart from others, as well as increase profitability, includes offering services that set them apart: activities that are customized for each pet; pick up/drop off service for busy pet owners; and upholstered furnishings that help pets feel at home in their vacation accommodations. Pet grooming, “paw-dicures” (pet pedicures and nail trims), and similar spa services add value for the customer who is looking to simplify their busy lives. It’s also an additional revenue stream for you.
