![How to plan and track the budget of your doggie daycare center [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-5_78710b81-5597-462f-a0e5-ac62ffaa44b1.png?v=1715856497&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your doggie daycare budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for doggie daycare owners, we saw a lot of daycare owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having a steady stream of clients.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your doggie daycare's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for daycare centers
Most daycare center owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for daycare centers
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a doggie daycare center, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for daycare facility | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for lighting, heating, and cooling | $600 | $7,200 |
| Water | Water usage for cleaning and dog hydration | $150 | $1,800 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $100 | $1,200 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and pet waste disposal services | $200 | $2,400 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $50 | $600 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $400 | $4,800 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Dog Handlers | 4 | $2,500 | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Groomer | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Receptionist | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $24,000 |
3. Supplies & Equipment
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Food | High-quality dog food and treats | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Toys & Enrichment | Toys, puzzles, and other enrichment items | $200 | $2,400 |
| Bedding & Crates | Beds, crates, and blankets | $150 | $1,800 |
| Grooming Supplies | Shampoos, brushes, clippers, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $500 | $6,000 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $200 | $2,400 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of daycare equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and aprons | $150 | $1,800 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses, health permits, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Software Subscriptions | Management and booking software | $200 | $2,400 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
Some daycare centers make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best daycare centers in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a doggie daycare center?
Be mindful of these potential pitfalls. Here are five major costs every doggie daycare owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Pet food and suppliesThese can take up a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with perishables and consumables, and prices can vary based on brand, quality, and availability. To keep these costs in check, focus on bulk purchasing, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for premium brands that don’t add enough value.
- Your daycare staffYour staff is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always high because you need a certain number of employees to provide excellent care and keep operations running smoothly. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and utilities of your daycare centerPrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more clients. Utilities like electricity, water, and heating are essential but can add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too luxurious for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your doggie daycare, but advertising can be expensive, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we provide in our pack. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Facility equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from play structures to cleaning supplies. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and client satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your doggie daycare center?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a doggie daycare owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Pet Food | Partner with local pet food suppliers for bulk purchases at discounted rates. |
| Staff Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install LED lighting and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your doggie daycare and collaborate with local pet influencers for free exposure. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of cleaning supplies to reduce waste. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of play equipment and grooming tools. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Pet Supplies | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly pet supplies and offer discounts for customers bringing their own items. |
| Play Equipment | Purchase high-quality, durable play equipment that can withstand frequent use. |
| Management System | Choose a management system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and donate excess supplies to local shelters. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional grooming appliances and utilize daycare management software for bookings and records. |
| Linen and Laundry | Partner with a cost-effective linen service and consider reusable towels and bedding. |
| Signage | Use digital boards or QR codes for information access to reduce printing costs. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan pick-up and drop-off routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music and host local pet events during off-peak times. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
Copy the tactics of the best daycare centers in the world!
There are daycare centers that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a doggie daycare center
Yes, some expenses for your doggie daycare center are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to improving the care of the dogs or enhancing the customer experience.
| Daycare Expense | Reason It's Unnecessary |
|---|---|
| Luxurious Decor | Overly lavish decor doesn't necessarily attract more clients and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Dog Treats | Unless you are catering to a very high-end clientele, most dogs are happy with standard treats. |
| Excessive Toy Varieties | Having too many types of toys increases inventory costs and can lead to clutter. |
| High-End Grooming Equipment | Top-of-the-line grooming tools are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your doggie daycare. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for music or magazines often go unnoticed by clients and their pets. |
| Exclusive Dog Food Brands | Using rare dog food brands can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Furniture | High-end furniture is not always appreciated by clients and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Items | Personalized items like bowls or leashes are a minor detail that most clients overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most clients are content with filtered tap water for their pets, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Transport Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Centerpieces | Elaborate centerpieces in the reception area are often ignored by clients and add to the cost. |
| High-End Pet Accessories | Luxury pet accessories are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by clients. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Marketing Materials | Frequently redesigning marketing materials is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Training Equipment | Specialized training equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your doggie daycare center!
Managing a budget for a doggie daycare center when funds are tight can feel overwhelming. It's like being trapped in a cycle where any unexpected expense can throw everything off balance.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more resources to improve your services.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of doggie daycare centers just like yours. Get them now!
Make your doggie daycare center more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best daycare centers in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
