How do you start a doggy daycare business in 2027?
Startup costs: $80K-$400K+ for a real facility (lease build-out, rubberized flooring, fencing, HVAC with high air exchange, cameras, nap rooms, software like Gingr or PetExec). Add $5K-$15K in initial staff training (dog body language, fight breakup, CPR through PetTech). Permits/licenses/insurance: zoning is the gating issue (industrial or commercial zones with sound studies often required), state kennel license, fire marshal sign-off, animal-care liability ($1K-$3K/yr), workers comp, bite-incident endorsement. Customer acquisition: Google Local Service Ads, Yelp, vet/groomer referrals, Nextdoor, free temperament-test day, corporate HR partnerships in walkable downtowns. Revenue model: $30-$55/day, packages $300-$550/mo, add boarding upsell. Year-1: gross $120K-$350K, often unprofitable until 50%+ capacity utilization in yr-2.