Dog Daycare & Boarding
Americans spend more on their dogs than their kids' extracurriculars
Dog daycare and boarding facilities provide supervised daytime care and overnight stays for pets while owners are at work or traveling. The U.S. pet care industry surpassed $150B in 2024, with boarding and daycare as one of the fastest-growing segments. BizBuySell data shows median revenue of $569K and a 34.2% profit margin in 2025 — and these businesses sell for 3–4x earnings due to recession-resistant demand and strong repeat clientele.
Avg Revenue
$500K
Profit Margin
30%
Acquisition Multiple
3x - 5x
Startup Cost
$80K - $300K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
Dogs are dropped off by owners for daytime supervision or overnight stays. Facilities charge $30–$60/day for daycare and $45–$85/night for boarding. Revenue is amplified through add-ons: grooming, training, one-on-one playtime, and retail. Memberships and packages create recurring revenue and smooth cash flow.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 812910 · Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | NC | $870K | $1.0M | 23 | Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming |
| Dec 2025 | MN | $2.2M | $2.5M | 31 | — |
| Dec 2025 | OK | $912K | $1.1M | 33 | — |
| Dec 2025 | ME | $989K | $1.2M | 5 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NC | $1.5M | $1.8M | 8 | — |
| Dec 2025 | PA | $328K | $386K | 15 | — |
| Nov 2025 | NV | $535K | $629K | 3 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $135K | $159K | 13 | — |
| Nov 2025 | MN | $30K | $35K | — | — |
| Nov 2025 | MN | $215K | $253K | — | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Recession-resistant — pet spending holds even in downturns
- +Strong repeat business: loyal customers come weekly
- +Multiple revenue streams: boarding, daycare, grooming, retail
- +Low-tech operations with high margins once at scale
Cons
- -Zoning and kennel licensing can be restrictive
- -Requires staff who are reliable and animal-experienced
- -Liability risk from dog bites or illness incidents
Best For
Animal lovers who want a semi-passive business with community ties
Operating Costs
Staff wages represent 40–50% of revenue. Major costs: rent/mortgage, liability insurance, supplies, utilities, and veterinary relationships for health protocols.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Largest marketplace for dog daycare and boarding businesses for sale
Browse pet care and boarding business acquisition opportunities
New franchise opportunity for branded dog daycare with national support
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $1.5M–$2.5M
Buyer's Toolkit
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