Thread: Dog Day Care Business, Sitges, Spain

Hi

I have had an excellent business idea sprung from my own personal experience, I am moving to Sitges in Spain at the beginning of July and I am taking my little yorkie over with me. The problem being that I am starting a new job in Barcelona and I will not have my family around me who usually help me look after him while Im working etc, so I was desperately trying to find someone who runs a business that can "dog-sit" for me during the day, they have them in the UK and USA, and there was nowhere! I found one lady who hadnt fully got it set up and that was in barcelona.

Then it occured to me that I could set up my own, why not? There obviously is not much existing, and in such a dog loving place such as Sitges where the dogs are equally as well dressed as the owners(!) theres def a market for it. Im sure many people would jump at this service, how many people go to work feeling guilty about leaving their dogs? or purely dont have one for this reason?

My idea is to rent a large villa type place with a large area of open space, have a live in dog groomer and dog trainer (accomodation as part of the employment package) and "dogsit" for owners during the day, small dogs only, with the added optional service of dog grooming/training, and a hired dog walker to walk the dogs throughout the day. Ideally there would be seperate areas: a shaded rest area with luxury beds, a small "pool", grassed area, grooming area etc. all outside The dogs would receive the best care and attention, have the best food etc. I would ideally charge approx 20euros per dog per day. Like ahome from home so owners have peace of mind their dogs are well cared for

Now heres my problem, Ive never ran a business before and I have no idea where to start, I do speak fluent Spanish and I adore dogs and I know this is something I would put everything into. My main hurdles are:

Funding- where would I go to get the money to start this up? Could I get a Spanish business loan? I dont have any savings.

Premises- how difficult would it be to rent a property from owners who would allow me to do this? How could I go about it? Paying a business fee to them?

Legalities-I have no idea what would be invloved in starting such a business?! Taxes, licenses etc?

Current services- does anybody know if this service currently exists in or around Sitges? Any dog owners in Spain, would you be interested in this service?

any help or advice please!

Much appreciated
Sarah

WOW what a detailed first post :-)

Firstly good afternoon and welcome to The Absloute Spain Forum, I hope you find answers to all your queries.

I am a 'rescued in Spain' dog owner but way too far away from you to know about the area and what business you may attract.

I know I would ONLY EVER use licensed and checked my me kennels for my pet.
I would only use one that NEVER mixed dogs in runs or anywhere else.

If it did not require and ask for my pet to be ALL up to date by the laws for Spain and provide all the necessary papers, I would not use it.

We have heard too many stories about pets being killed by other dogs in NONE registered licensed properties (nothing more than peoples homes with a few sheds for shelter or worse they all stay in the house) run by people who are sadly lacking in brain cells sorry.

I am not sure if many owners would allow their premises to be used as such even with payment.

The cost of building a proper kennel block with all the necessary runs etc would be very high I think. There are quite a few for sale I noticed recently.

I think funding for this is unlikely but really have no idea.

I pay 9 euros a day for inside dry,clean and secure kennelling, she gets well fed and excerised in a run when her kennel is cleaned daily. It is family run and they know their business well.

Hi Val

Thankyou for your post and for your feedback

Im asking for advice because I want to do this properly, with all the necesarary licenses, all above board and legal, and above all in the best environment for the dogs, Im not doing this to make money, I just want to make a living and if theres an opportunity for me to do this doing something i love, then I want to grab the opportunity. I looked into kennels but to be honest I didnt my dog to be stuck in a run all day, he may as well be stuck in the house all day, I want somewhere where he can run free as if he was at home with me, with constant company, and thats where my idea was bourne from. I would have maximum 10 toy or very small dogs supervised at all times outside so they can be easily controlled. Like I say I would have a dog groomer on site, as well as a dog trainer, and a dog walker so if the dogs are not being groomed, they are being walked, if they are not being walked they may be in a trianing session, if they are not in a training session they will be just playing or resting in the open area with me. It would be completely open for owners to visit or pop in any time. I personally cant think of a better environment for my dog to be cared for in, and im sure there are many dogs owners out there that love their dog as much as I love mine that think the same. Not that you dont love your dog Val, but my dog is very tiny, hes not built for kennels bless him. Dogs love to be in packs, and if you can exert the neccessary control over them, its a great opportunity for them to socialise.

In Spain licensed kennels may NOT mix any dogs without the written permission of the owner because of the risk of injury/death if one dog turns on another for any reason. It only takes a few seconds and there are plenty of examples where exactly this has happened in unlicensed/insured premises. My dog is a very small dog all 6 kilos of her but she is looked after well in local kennels who actual specialise in training and showing german shephard dogs.Whenever we take her to the kennel we must deposit our up to date papers showing she has been vaccinated etc If they have a dog on the property without papers when inspected they run the risk of being shut down.

What you are talking about could be possible, but have you considered for example carrying insurance in case something does happen to one of your guest dogs. We know of an ex pat not far from us who used an unlicensed dog sitting business and came home to find her dog had been killed by another in a supposedly supervised run. No insurance, loved pet lost for good and one very distraught lady.


Your last statement frankly astonishes and frightens me ' Dogs love to be in packs, and if you can exert the neccessary control over them, its a great opportunity for them to socialise. ' Sorry but to me this is an accident waiting for a place to happen.

Suggest you look up Rsce.es - Bienvenidos a la Real Sociedad Canina de España rsce stands for Real Sociedad Canina de España a good source of information for your research.

The very nature of my business would be that dogs would mix, be able to run free and not be locked up, so any owners wanting to use my service would have to want this too as standard and would have to give consent. I am very aware of the dangers of dogs mixing together, and I would not take on any dogs that I was not able to control, as such that is why I would only specialise in toy breeds, yorkies, chihuahuas, pomeranians, etc. The dogs would be expected to be well behaved around other dogs already, and all dogs would be vetted. I would also expect them to be castrated if male, for social and biological reasons!

Insurance for the dogs would go without saying, and all vacinations and health care would be the least I expect, again, I want to do this all above board. My dog is fully vaccinated, flea and worm treated, so I would expect that all dog owners using my service would have treated their dogs the same, especially if they are coming into contact with my little man. I know how owners worry about the welfare of their dogs, my idea is to make daily videos throughout the day that owners can watch on picking their pets up and to give them peace of mind.

My business will be a licensed business, and with regards to the dogs being in packs, very small packs maximum 10, I am a great fan of the Dog Whisperer, I dont know if you know it? I think his views and attitudes are amazing, and the dogs in his care are the happiest Ive seen, socialising, running and playing together, the most well adjusted dogs, because dogs have a pack instinct, its natural to them, and he has complete control over them being the pack leader. These dogs are rehabilitated pitbulls, rottweilers, german shepards that would have otherwise been destroyed and they live in harmony together. If this is possible, then surely it is possible with toy breeds that are already well adjusted. This is honestly my dream, not just a money spinner, and I want to put everything Ive got into it.

From my own experience of SOME 'toy' dog owners they would not consider putting the dog on its own legs in public never mind mixing with others ! SOME seem to be dressed like babies and carried around in baskets etc hardly dog behaviour. I have had experience of several poms and owned one which had to be re trained in social behaviour.

I cannot see how you can make the basics of this work, that is just my opinion and therefore I think it will be best to agree to disagree on this subject.

Good luck in following your dream.

I know some toy breed owners "spoil" their dogs which is why these dogs would be extremely well cared for, but at the same time they would given the respect they deserve as dogs, not little humans

Thank you for your feedback, whether good or bad its all constructive, I know Ill make it happen one day

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to the Absolute Spain Forum.

A few tips regarding your new business idea...

- 20 euros per day sounds like a ridiculous amount. If I had a dog (which I don't) and would work 5-6 days per week, then this would work out at around 400-500 euros per month. This is not a time for anyone to be spending 400-500 euros per month. Most people in Spain don't earn over 1500 euros per month so I'm sure NOBODY would spend 30% of their salary on their dog! If you are planning on targeting "the rich" then you would need to find someone who earns 4000-5000 euros per month. Somebody who earns that generally has a family or staff who can take care of the dog.

- Funding if you have "nothing", is as good as impossible in Spain. No bank will lend any money.

- Getting premises licensed for such a business would also be very tough. In many rental agreements in Spain, it specifically states that you are not allowed to have animals (pets) or make noise or any other activity that could annoy neighbours.

I hope I haven't burst your bubble. On the other hand I hope I have motivated you to think critically about your business venture before you embark upon a disaster journey...

For more insightful tips, I suggest you purchase my e-book.

I would contact your local mayor and ask if any of his mayor friends would like the service. They are the only ones who can currently afford it!!!! Provided that is they are not doing porridge in which case their dogs would want 24 hr, 7day, 12 months continual care!!
Only jocking but I must agree that you are in an uphill struggle with this idea, costly and probably not viaqble for reasons already given. Don't give the day job up in Barcelona.