Pets are the top dogs in most households. From lounging on the furniture to zooming around the yard, you can find a dog or cat (or bird) in many homes nationwide. Luckily for these fine-furred and feathered friends, pet care franchises are booming — and pet parents are paying. 

The pet care industry currently boasts an estimated worth of $195.69 billion. And the industry is poised well for growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate of around six percent between 2024 and 2032. This trajectory will catapult the industry’s value to nearly $327.83 billion by 2032 — all thanks to the strengthening bond between modern families and their treasured pets, spurring increased demand for premium pet care.

As of 2024, approximately 65.1 million U.S. households are proud dog owners, making dogs the most popular pet in the country. That’s why dog care franchises have emerged as a top choice for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the thriving pet industry and start a company with a time-proven business model. 

Keep reading for details on the hottest pet care franchises of the year. We’ll highlight some of the best pet care franchises leading the pack with their unique offerings, dedication to pet well-being, and impressive market presence.

Hottest Pet Care Franchises of 2023-2024

1. The Dog Stop®

All-in-one Care for Your Canines

At The Dog Stop®, dogs get the care they need. As an “all-inclusive indoor/outdoor dog care facility,” the franchise offers a host of services from grooming and daycare to boarding, in-home care, obedience classes, and pet retail. With more than 12 separate locations in 12 states, from Alabama to Washington — and 50 more locations opening in the future — The Dog Stop® is on the move.

Giving Owners Confidence

Recognizing a lack of transparency within the pet care field, The Dog Stop® owners dedicated multiple years to in-depth research, surveying the needs of local pet owners, and meticulously designing a comprehensive facility. Their mission? To create an all-inclusive facility that offers the pet owners confidence. Safety and fun are two key goals of The Dog Stop®.

Available Franchise Resources

If you love dogs, have a great work ethic — and are willing to follow a proven business model, you might be the perfect fit to become a franchisee. The Dog Stop® supports their franchisees from day one, offering:

• Employee Administration
• Financial Administration
• Business Operations
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Customer Service
• Retail Best Practices

The Dog Stop® Franchise Summary

• The Dog Stop offers grooming, daycare, boarding, in-home care, obedience classes, and pet retail.
• The total investment to open a The Dog Stop® franchise can range from $543,000 to $1,010,100.
• Franchise fees are $49,500. There’s a discount for veterans and Wounded Warriors.
• The royalty fee is 6% of gross sales, paid weekly.

2. Camp Bow Wow

At  Camp Bow Wow, your dogs can stay the day, board, or receive training or in-home care. You can also purchase dog food and merchandise at this premier pet care facility.

Pampering Plus

Camp Bow Wow not only provides climate-controlled play areas for your dogs but also webcams to monitor your pup, as well as has CPR-certified employees in case your pooch has a medical emergency.

With more than 200 locations nationwide, there’s likely a Camp Bow Wow near you — especially if you live in the southern part of the country. Camp Bow Wows can be found in 33 states, according to FranchiseGrade.com.

Resources for Franchisees: Lots of Training

When you franchise a Camp Bow Wow, you can expect training both in the classroom and on the job. No previous experience is necessary to become a franchisee! But having an aptitude for following procedures, great customer service skills, and a passion for dogs are all great assets that can help empower your growth and success in the dog hotel business.

Feeling Charitable

Camp Bow Wow has a nonprofit called Bow Wow Buddies Foundation® dedicated to providing medical care funds to pet parents who are struggling to cover their veterinary bills for serious ailments. The Foundation also helps shelters and rescue organizations that need assistance to cover necessary medical treatments for dogs awaiting adoption.

Camp Bow Wow Franchise Summary

• Camp Bow Wow offers dog daycare, boarding, in-home care, grooming and training, along with dog food and retail merchandise.
• The initial franchise fee is $50,000, with a total investment range from $1,012,000 to $1,708.500.
• The royalty fee is 7%.

3. Dogdrop

Top-Level Dog Daycare

Dogdrop’s tagline is “A place for your dog to hang out with their friends,” so it’s safe to say, this franchise is all about dog daycare. Dogs with the required vaccinations can go in for a “Good Dog Fit” test run at the daycare facility, then they can enroll or use the drop-in service. The company’s philosophy is that dogs thrive with “exercise, social interaction, and basic training.” There are locations in Los Angeles, California; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Denver, Colorado today — and the owners are open to franchises in new markets.

Starting from Scratch

The story of Dogdrop is simple. The owners couldn’t find the right dog daycare; flexibility, cleanliness, and level of care were just a few of the issues. So, they started their own dog care business. Dogdrop believes that dogs — and their humans — deserve more than what the industry has to offer. That’s why the business focuses on delivering a consistently high level of care, an improved parent experience, and an extended network of locations, so that more people have access to great and convenient dog care no matter where they are.

Now, you can franchise a high-quality Dogdrop location — and help provide your community with state-of-the-art dog care.

Resources for Franchisees

Dogdrop offers daycare with no overnight boarding, keeping staffing and operational costs lower. There is a focus on clean, streamlined, and modern design aesthetics, as well as a dedication to earth-friendliness. With a franchise, you’ll enjoy:

• Customized tools
• Digital playbooks
• Continuous technological innovation
• Comprehensive training (design-build, team training, marketing guidance, and more)

Dogdrop Franchise Summary

• Dogdrop offers high-quality, clean, flexible daycare for dogs.
• The initial investment to open a Dogdrop is $302,000 to $568,000.
• Franchise fees are $50,000.
• The royalty fee is 7% and the brand fund is 2%.

4. Dogtopia

Award-winning Utopia for Canine Companions

From daycare and overnight boarding to spa services, Dogtopia does it all. With more than 180 locations throughout the United States, Dogtopia is the largest provider of dog daycare services in the country. The franchise is also set to open more than 400 centers by 2024.

Dogtopia holds awards from business and franchise organizations such as Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise Times magazine, and Franchise Business Review.

A Step Above

Dogtopia says its style of recreating indoor dog parks is what drives its success. The doggie daycares also include webcams so you can peek at your pup during the day and make sure they’re having fun. If you’re in a hurry, an employee can bring your dog out to you (in certain locations) at the end of your day. Additional services include booking via a mobile app, so Dogtopia truly is tech-savvy.

Franchisee Resources Aplenty 

The franchise also provides tons of resources for franchisees, including: 

• An extensive training program
• Strong tech platforms
• Modern branding and positioning assistance (including key PR and social marketing partners)
• Support from experienced leadership

Fetch It Forward Program

Dogtopia has its own charitable program called The Dogtopia Foundation’s Fetch It Forward program. The Foundation funds three programs, including those focused on service dogs for veterans, literacy programs for youth, and employment initiatives for adults living with autism.

Dogtopia Franchise Summary

• Dogtopia offers dog daycare, boarding services, and grooming services/spa services.
• The initial franchise fee is $49,500, with an initial investment range of between $688,312 and $1,806,803.
• The royalty fee is 7%.
• The company has a Fetch It Forward charitable program and a 10% veteran discount.

5. Dog Training Elite

Training the Best in Show (and Service)

With plenty of experience training dogs, the owner of Dog Training Elite started the business in 1995 and began franchising in 2015. The franchise offers “elite, award-winning,” extensive training opportunities for basic training (leash work and sit/stay, puppy training, barking, and more) service dog training, aggression, and therapy dog training. These services are offered in-home or in socialized group training. The company now has 50 franchises around the country, and military personnel and veterans can also receive service dog training through Dog Training Elite. 

Empowering Owners with Unique Training Offerings

Obedience, service dog, and puppy training are Dog Training Elite’s top three courses. Whichever services owners choose, the goal is to strengthen the bonds between the owner/family and the dog. Owners can request an assessment online to get started — and training courses are tailored to the unique and individual needs of the canine and its family.

Available Resources

Dog Training Elite offers two pet franchise ownership options, allowing you to choose the best program that fits your goals. The semi-absentee franchisee route is available, enabling you to supervise a dedicated team of dog trainers and actively contribute to the well-being of dogs and their owners — all without engaging in training personally. (With this option, you could even keep your day job!)

If you’re looking for a more hands-on franchisee experience, you can opt to be an owner-operator and work as the lead dog trainer while managing the operations side of the business — offering the best of both worlds. No matter which route you choose, you’ll receive:

• Training
• Ongoing support
• Field support
• Marketing support

Honoring Those Who Served

Dog Training Elite also has a non-profit for healing through canines; it’s called The Malinois Foundation. The Foundation provides service dogs for veterans and individuals with specific needs, such as those suffering from conditions such as PTSD and physical disabilities. In addition to their service dog program, The Malinois Foundation is committed to raising awareness in communities about the importance and effectiveness of service animals.

Dog Training Elite Franchise Summary

• Dog Training Elite offers a variety of levels of training, addressing aggression and anxiety, as well as training for service and therapy.
• The initial investment to open a Dog Training Elite franchise is $59,000 to $185,750. The net worth requirement is $200,000, and the cash required is $120,000. 
• Franchise fees are 10% off for veterans.
• The royalty fee is 8% and the ad royalty fee is 1%.

Fetching Financing for Your Pet Care Franchise

Pets are family members for most families. That means they require love and care — which means the pet care franchise business will continue growing, just like our furry companions. As long as those lovable canines need daycare, overnight care, training, grooming, and fun, these franchises will continue to flourish.

And what better way to get on board with the pet care boom than with a dog care franchise? Remember: When you franchise, you don’t have to have the same concerns as starting a business from scratch. You get help with every step of the process, from marketing to an established location and building a reliable customer base with a time-proven business model. If you love dogs (and who doesn’t?) and have an entrepreneurial spirit, dog care franchises are a perfect fit for you and Fido.

If you’re ready to take the leap into a pet care franchise, talk to Guidant Financial — we can help. Pre-qualify now for business financing.

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