The practice of keeping pets is quite popular across the world since time immemorial. Man is known for keeping a variety of pets but dogs are the most preferred. The purpose of keeping pets is entirely different from what it used to be earlier. This change can be attributed to the modern lifestyles and fast pace of life. Today people, especially aged, are more inclined towards keeping pets for companionship and even as a status symbol. This trend is not just limited to the elite; in fact middle income group people have also started keeping pets. Realising this increasing craze for treating pets as family members, people have also become very conscious of their pets’ well being and grooming. Considering this trend and having experienced pet grooming services internationally some entrepreneurs have developed this concept in India and have opened ‘pet grooming centres’. Acknowledging the response and success rate these entrepreneurs are expanding the concept via franchise route.
Need for pet grooming
The age old notion of giving animals a secondary position has now been overcome. Pet grooming which was considered to be a luxury has now become a necessity. Prominent factors contributing to this change are:
- Awareness and change in attitude
- People have realised the importance of clean and well-kept pets
- Status symbol
- Increase in middle class income
- Need for professional help
- Emergence of pet grooming brands
As shared by Sanjeev Kumar, Founder, Scoopy Scrub, “We have always been passionate about pets and animals. The moment the idea of pet shops and grooming parlour came to us, we dropped our careers and got on with doing something we have always enjoyed doing the most, simultaneously making a living out of it as well.” Irene James, Founder, Whiskers and Tails, pet grooming franchise shares, “Few dog owners still may continue to think that professional grooming and maintenance of their dog is a luxury. I would put it this way, use of mobile phones was a luxury when it was launched and today it is the most basic necessity.” Moreover there are a lot of ardent dog-lovers who do not consider pet grooming, a wastage. Rather pet grooming centres add to the beautification and well-maintenance of dog
Low cost opportunity
Taking up pet grooming franchise is a low investment and high return business opportunity. The minimum qualification required to be own a pet grooming franchisee is love for dogs. Also the location required for these centres is not necessarily malls and high street location, rather residential areas. James said, “The qualities that we look for in our franchisees are that they should be ardent dog lover with oodles of patience to deal with dogs. The minimum investment needed by prospective franchisees is Rs five to seven lakh apart from a place.” Similarly Kumar also shared, “The top most qualification for anybody to get our franchise is that they have to be ardent pet lovers ready to serve the pet world besides being ready for hard work with total dedication. Investment will always vary in terms of the location and city, a basic level start-up requires not more than Rs three to four lakh (approx.) in the beginning.”
Franchising: best foot forward
If any cherishes to be an ardent animal lover then taking up a franchise of a pet grooming business is the best foot forward for him. Kumar said, “As the pet industry is growing at a very fast pace with a lot of well educated, well established individuals stepping into this field, the Indian pet Industry is set to grow further and so will the franchisees.” Pet grooming franchisee will be living his passion while earning profitably. Starting an independent pet grooming business is quite challenging as lot of training modules and expertise will be required. In case of franchising the entrepreneur will get readymade, well established business identity with expertise of the franchisor. In addition to this pet grooming can lead four to five streams of income for aspiring entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur can serve all pet needs in his grooming centre like; pet products (accessories and toys for pets), pet supply (sell exotic and pedigree breeds of dogs and other pets), dog training (making dogs well-behaved), kennel franchise (taking care of pets when owners are out for long period of time), breeding or mating of dogs (breeding of exotic breeds) etc. A pet grooming centre offers these and more benefits, therefore making it as a wholesome animal business.
Players in this sector
Being in its initial phase with a few players pet grooming business is offering lucrative business opportunity. The couple of players in this arena who have taken the franchise way for expansion are:
Whiskers & Tails: Whiskers & Tails started by Irene James began its journey in 2010. In six months, the company has opened two salons for dogs and has received great response from clients. The brand exclusively deals with dogs and their maintenance. It aims to open 40 successful outlets via franchising in the shortest possible time.
Scoopy Scrub: Scoopy Scrub, a professional pet grooming parlour was started in 2007 by a young couple, Sanjeev Kumar and Preeti Kumar. The couple started from a small pet shop called Pet Bytes. Seeing the popularity of their shop and profits they earned, the couple explored wider avenues in this field. They eventually opened a professional pet grooming centre. The business has grown manifold since its inception. Presently, the brand has five company-owned outlets in Delhi/NCR and three franchises in Jaipur, Hyderabad and Pune. Moreover, the company plans to open 30 to 40 franchised centres in coming years.
All you animal lovers, here is an opportunity for to live your passion and also make profitable returns out of it. So what are you waiting for explore the world of professional pet grooming.
