Holistic Care for Animals by Taranet

How To Build Your Horse or Dog Care Business - 7 Tips





Do you want to develop your pet care or equestrian business? It can be overwhelming knowing where to start. Below are seven top tips to help give you some focus developing your business.

Top Tips to Help You Build Your Equine or Canine Therapy or Care Business



1 Are You a Member of a Professional Association?

If you've not already, do join a professional association relating to your specialist area of work. You should get a wealth of different membership benefits. Plus being a member of a well-known association will help give confidence to both Veterinary Surgeon's and other potential referrers of the quality of your skills. And of course your potential customers.

2 Location, Location, Location - How Well Known Are You In Yours?

Decide on the geographical area where you want to focus your business, and make contact with all Veterinary practices within that area. So that they know who you are and the services that you maybe able to offer their animal customers.

Also see if you can promote your service in local animal feed or country stores or saddleries, etc.

3 Are You Networking?

Make contact with relevant local animal businesses and groups - e.g. kennels, livery yards, saddlers, farriers, riding clubs, dog clubs, etc. Develop a good working relationship with them - could you work in partnership with them too, perhaps offering some customer incentives mutually beneficial to you both?

4 It's All About the Price!

Be clear on your pricing policy! But don't offer too many discounts - if you don't value yourself (& your business) then why will anyone else?! It's a balancing act, but make sure you consider offering discounts for group bookings (eg more than 2 animals at one site) or a "loyalty card" (e.g. after 10 treatments, your customer gets something useful for free for example another treatment session).

5 What's Your Website Telling People?

Take an objective look at your website, as if you have never seen it before. Is it a clear and informative website? Does it provide clear details of how to contact you, what areas you cover, what animals you work with? If you have them, add case studies/testimonials from your customers!

Check out my website tips here for more info

6 Hold Client Evenings

Whether you're a veterinary surgeon or an animal physiotherapist or another animal care professional, consider hosting a client evening on a regular basis. Either do a talk yourself on a seasonal topic, or get some of your fellow professionals in - e.g. another veterinary surgeon or nutritionist, or animal care professional to inform your clients (and potential new ones!) and give them a chance to ask questions and feel valued!

7 Plan Your Business Goals

watch this short slideshow for some tips!


Listen to my podcast for lots of tips and ideas - like this "Developing your Animal Care Business"



You Can Get More Help With More Of My Advice Pages Here Too:

Next? Do you want business coaching to develop your horse or dog care business? Email me (Suzanne) at info [at] taranet.co.uk to discuss your requirements


Would you like to get more help and advice on setting up your animal healthcare business? Get my e-book below!