How Your Small Business Can Get Pet-Friendly
Culturally, we’ve never been more obsessed with our pets — we love them, treat them like members of the family and spend billions of dollars on them per year. We also like being able to take them wherever we go, whether that’s out shopping or out to dinner. Pet owners are attracted to local businesses that also welcome their furry friends. That’s why adopting a pet-friendly attitude at your place of business is a great way to attract pet-owning customers.
Let’s start with some stats. According to a survey from the American Pet Products Association:
Pet-friendly households
- 37–47% of households have a dog
- 30–37% households have a cat
Pet-friendly wallets
- 95% of pet owners consider their animal companions a member of the family
- $60 billion dollars was spent on pets last year
Pet-friendly business experience
- 28% of dog owners reported staying in a dog-friendly hotel
- 9% said they had dined in a pet-friendly restaurant
The stats show that regardless of what small business you own, it’s likely that nearly half of your customers are pet owners. However, it’s not that easy for pet owners to find businesses where their pet is as welcome as they are. To stand out from the crowd, here are some pet-friendly strategies you can put in place in order to get more pet owners in your door.
Puppy Patio
Own a business with a patio? You can turn it into an outdoor area for dogs — water bowls, treats, toys and shaded areas is all you need. It will give dog owners somewhere to hang out with their dogs, and can even give them a safe space to leave their dogs to play while they’re inside of your business.
Doggy Waiting Areas
Maybe your business doesn’t have a patio, or dogs aren’t allowed on business’ premises in your city. You can still show that your business is pet-friendly! If you operate a business where people tend to leave their dogs waiting outside, you can turn the front of your business into a dog-friendly waiting area. Like the Puppy Patio, you just need to provide clean water bowls, treats and toys to keep man’s best friend entertained. You can also consider having shaded spots to tie them up safely and comfortably.
Pet Treats
Leaving a jar of treats on the counter is an inexpensive and easy way to make sure your customers’ pets stay included in your customer service. Even if they can’t come into your business, it’s something for a guest to take away. Both owner and pet will appreciate the gesture.
Pet Products
Think about stocking your shelves with a few pet products to appeal to your pet-loving customers. For example, if you run an auto-repair shop, selling doggy seat belts or car accessories for pets is a great way set yourself apart from competitors. Plus, pet owners will love that you’ve considered the animal members of their family.
Dog Days
There’s a good chance dog meetups are happening in your city — why not host one at your place of business? It’s a great way to let customers and their dogs know that your business is pet-friendly. You can host special parties for customers to bring in their canine companions to bond with other dogs, while the owners enjoy themselves and bond with fellow animal lovers.
Remember: It’s wise to do your homework before em-bark-ing on any big changes. Many states’ policies and regulations differ when it comes to allowing pets in businesses, so be sure to research your state before adopting a pet-friendly stance.
Even if you aren’t allowed to make your business entirely pet-friendly, there are still ways to make sure our four-legged friends are being taken care of. Whether it’s offering a safe space for animals to wait or throwing events specifically in their honor, being more pet-friendly can attract new customers and keep loyal customers coming back with all of the members of their family.
