Petpals – where passion for pets meets a great business opportunity
About Us
As the UK’s longest established multi-service pet care franchise, we know our way around the marketplace. We have been helping franchisees achieve their goals for over 20 years and we can help you capitalise on the nation’s love of animals to build a strong, profitable business.
Whether you choose to start your business as an owner-operator or decide to invest in a team from the outset, our management franchise gives you the system for success. As a Petpals franchisee, you benefit from the knowledge and experience that has kept our franchise model as the market leader for the last 20 years.
Across our network of 50-plus franchisees, we have both single and multi-territory owners who come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have one thing in common – a dedication to pet welfare. In a UK market where 59% of all households own a pet, including 12.5 million dogs, 12.2 million cats and another 8.1 million small pets*, our services are in high demand. You will grow a team delivering our best-in-class services which include:
- Cat and small pet sitting
- Dog walking
- Pet home boarding
- Puppy and elderly dog care
- Pet taxi and domestic pet transportation
Franchise Overview
Developed from the original pet care business model operated by our founder in the late 1990s, Petpals offers much more than a home boarding or dog walking service; it is a professional, tried and tested, successful business format which is fully supported by the Petpals team and nationwide network of franchisees.
We have a successful track record of both franchise renewals and resales and are proud to be full members of the bfa.
The Franchise Opportunity
Your initial fee of £9,995 + VAT includes:
- Your franchise licence fee
- Your exclusive territory
- Substantial head office and on-site training including business, operational and technical aspects
- Business coaching
- On-site business launch support
- Comprehensive pre- and post-launch PR and marketing programme
- First year’s business insurance
- Full set up and first year’s subscription to QuickBooks online accounting
- Your territory pages within Petpals’ website
- Pet care equipment, uniform, ID badge, accessories and stationery for your team.
You will also need short-term working capital and we will advise you on securing a vehicle that meets our Petpals standards.
Reasons to Invest
As well as delivering a great return on investment, being part of our established national brand brings you many additional benefits:
- A low-risk, supported way to set up your own business
- Full training for you and your management team in the Petpals systems, code of ethics and values
- Guidance through the comprehensive legislative requirements of the industry
- Pre-launch and ongoing support
- A regular income stream with great growth potential.
“Being involved in a franchise network provides reassurance and confidence and, as long as you follow the working model, you’ve got a blueprint for the business. The standing and the quality of the Petpals brand was one of the reasons we decided to invest in a franchise in the first place. We’ve followed the operating process rigidly and stayed on brand throughout. After 15 years, we manage a successful and profitable franchise. There’s no magic formula – if you follow the system, it works. If you want to be associated with quality and want to provide a meaningful service, then Petpals is the franchise for you!” - David Gray, Petpals Darlington franchisee
Franchise Benefits
Once you have launched your Petpals business, our support continues for the life of your franchise. We are committed to your success and our expert team will support you to maximise the value of your business:
- Regular business development reviews
- Recruitment and team development support
- Accounting support and advice from our qualified Quick Books’ accredited trainer
- Access to the Petpals franchisee forum and network support
- National franchisee conference
- Social media and marketing support
- Access to further business coaching and development.
“One of the most valuable resources we have access to is the franchisee forum – it provides a great arena for sounding out ideas with other franchisees or asking for advice about the daily operations of the business. Knowing I have the support of my peers and the franchise support team is so reassuring. We’re all so happy to see each other’s businesses succeed, which is probably my favourite thing about being a Petpals franchisee – the sense of camaraderie.” - Ray Hipwell, Petpals Chislehurst franchisee
Petpals – every pet’s best friend
We carefully select and train the right applicants who are committed to the delivery of our brand values and code of ethics. This is essential to ensure we maintain the highest standards in the delivery of our services in the interest of our customers, their pets and all our Petpals members. Pet ownership is a privilege, not a right and the welfare of pets in our care is our priority. As a franchisee, you will quickly discover the satisfaction of growing the value of your business whilst giving clients peace of mind that their much-loved best friend is in safe hands.
With an unrivalled return on investment, we are now looking for people to join us as we enter our third decade in the thriving pet-care market. Multi-territory opportunities are available for the right candidates.
Training & Support
Our training is both classroom and field based, including time in the field with an experienced franchisee. Training includes 4 days at our head office in Hampshire along with pet first aid and practical dog handling skills. Topics covered include operating procedures, administration, accounting and marketing.
Ongoing support includes: head office support throughout the franchise term, regular business development reviews, annual conferences, invaluable knowledge and encouragement from fellow franchisees.
Daily Life of a Franchisee
Day-to-day activities will be largely based around caring for clients’ pets, walking dogs or visiting cats/small pets.
You will also need to find time to visit clients in their homes to discuss their pet’s requirements and carry out assessments for new business, plus all the usual administrative and marketing functions required to run your own business. With a head office team and a network of experienced franchisees to call on, support and advice is always available.
* Pet Food Manufacturers Association’s Pet Population report 2021
The Next Steps
Learn more about this exciting franchise opportunity by requesting further information:
- Your franchise licence fee
- Your exclusive territory
- Substantial head office and on-site training including business, operational and technical aspects
- Business coaching
- On-site business launch support
- Comprehensive pre- and post-launch PR and marketing programme
- First year’s business insurance
- Full set up and first year’s subscription to QuickBooks online accounting
- Your territory pages within Petpals’ website
- Pet care equipment, uniform, ID badge, accessories and stationery for your team.
You will also need short-term working capital and we will advise you on securing a vehicle that meets our Petpals standards.
Two fetch-ing additions join the Petpals network
Despite the sun’s reluctance to shine this summer, Petpals has plenty to beam about.
Continuing a year of success, the Petpals network has warmly welcomed two enthusiastic new franchisees. This month, Charlotte Arnold and Suzie Mossman are the latest pet lovers to realise their dream of merging their passion for animals with the excitement of business ownership.
Charlotte’s journey to Petpals began after a career as an events manager in the finance industry. During lockdown, she met her partner and decided it was time to settle down. At the same time, struggling to find a reliable pet sitter for her two much-loved labradors, Lola and Tia, Charlotte decided to take matters into her own hands.
“I’ve always dreamed of running my own pet care business, but I figured I’d have to wait until later in life to make it happen,” explained Charlotte. “But when I saw how much the community needed a reliable pet care service, my partner and I realised there’s no perfect time to chase your dreams. So, we decided to take the leap and start Petpals Sidcup. And the rest, as they say, is history!”
Choosing Petpals was an easy decision for Charlotte, inspired by her friend Ray Hipwell at Petpals Chislehurst. “I used to live across from Ray and often saw him busy on the job,” said Charlotte. “He was always fully booked, which made it clear that there was a high demand for dog sitting and other pet services in our area and neighbouring Sidcup.
"It takes a lot for me to trust someone with Lola and Tia. I need to know that the pet carer is experienced, fully insured, licensed and knowledgeable. Ray and Petpals Chislehurst stood out to me as the most professional pet care company in our area, which is why I chose them. Everyone at Petpals receives comprehensive training and operates with the highest standards, setting them apart from the rest."
Suzie’s path to franchise ownership with Petpals had its own unique twist. Since its launch in 2018, Petpals Sefton, under the loving care of its previous owner, Sharren Redmond, quickly became a favourite among local pets – earning Sharren the Great British Franchisee Award in 2022. When Sharren decided it was time for a new adventure, it turned out that the perfect successor was closer than she had imagined.
“I spent 20 years working with Sefton Council and, while I enjoyed it, I felt like it was time for a change,” explained Suzie. “I realised I wanted to do something that truly made me happy. Given my lifelong love for animals, starting my own pet business just felt like the perfect fit. I started exploring options like doggy daycare and other pet-focused opportunities.
“As fate would have it, my mum and Sharren’s mum are really close and often have coffee mornings together. During one of their chats, Sharren’s mum mentioned that her daughter was looking for someone to take over her business. I contacted Sharren, and we hit it off right away! It was clear to me that Petpals was the perfect match. Since then, I’ve completed all the required training and have been busy meeting the dogs, going on walks and doing cat visits to get acquainted with all the local pets before officially taking over,” explained Suzie.
“My family is so supportive, and if it wasn’t for my mum putting the feelers out for me to take over the business, none of this would have happened. I’m incredibly grateful.”
For Suzie, the key to her successful launch this month lies in the steadfast support and comprehensive training she received from Petpals’ head office and her predecessor. “Like Charlotte, I completed canine first aid, feline care and home boarding courses,” said Suzie. “It was great to go through the training with her as we were able to support each other throughout the process. The sessions were intense, covering everything from animal care to business operations, but the knowledge I gained was invaluable. The support I’ve received from discovery day to launch day has been incredible.”
While it is still early doors for these two new recruits and while one dream has been achieved, Charlotte and Suzie still have big dreams for the future. “I’m hoping to reach the heights of Petpals Chislehurst,” explained Charlotte. “It’s one of the standout success stories in the network, and I’m aiming to join those ranks within the next five years. My goal is to expand as much as possible and make a difference for as many animals as I can!”
“I’m excited to start by keeping things as they are for the first year to get a feel for how everything runs,” said Suzie. “After that, I’m looking forward to gently expanding – maybe adding another van, bringing in more team members and stretching our reach a bit further into neighbouring Formby. It’s all about growing carefully, building on the solid foundation that’s already been laid.”
For Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, this dynamic duo are the perfect additions to the already buzzing network of franchisees. “Our recruitment process is designed to find franchisees who align with our core values and, most importantly, have a deep love for animals and a passion for business,” said Kevin. “Charlotte and Suzie embody everything we stand for at Petpals. I’m excited to see how they will drive their businesses forward, contribute to our pet-loving community and enhance our network’s success in the years to come.”
