When considering whether to build or add a pet wash system to your existing wash location there are several items that should be budgeted in the planning phase. Spending time on these items will save you money in the latter part of the project and give you a more accurate idea of what revenue must be generated to cost justify the project. There are a lot items that are overlooked such as utilities, security, parking, vending, tub selection, signage and housekeeping. There is a lot more to starting up a pet wash than just having a building and a few tubs.
Utilities – Basic 120 volt service is required for your pet wash control panel. If you have multiple pet wash control panels on one breaker you will want to have a 30amp breaker. The dryer units draw a lot of amps on start up and are often overlooked.
The units require a hot water supply and there are a few options available. If you have an existing boiler you can run a line from it. If you don’t have hot water available you can use either a 30gal hot water heater or an on-demand water heater. Keep in mind your pet wash spray nozzle is rated for 1.5gallons/minute so the volume of hot water required is very small. Locations having multiple pet washes (3 – 4 units), a 5-7gallon/minute on-demand water heater or 30gal hot water heater would be ample. Ideally, you want your hot water source as close to your units as possible. Dogs can be startled by cold water which makes them jumpy in the tub. As the operator, you want to provide a relaxed environment for the dog and the customer. In the case your hot water source is a long distance from the units, you may want to consider installing a recirculation pump to keep the water warm.
Washing pets and dealing with large amounts of hair go hand in hand. Pet wash tubs come with strainers built into the tub. Most are common kitchen sink strainers that are removable. These trap a good portion of the hair from the pets but there is still a significant amount that gets by. When plumbing your unit I recommend installing an additional strainer downstream of the tub (similar to what is used for pools). These are not always included in your equipment quote so make sure to ask for one. If you chose to go with out the strainer you take the chance of plugged lines and sewer cleaning bills in the future. Strainers cost range from $70 – $90, definitely a good long term investment.
Conditioning the air in your pet wash center is very critical. A small heating/cooling and ventilation (HVAC) unit is a must. In the winter you will need to heat the room (65 oC – 70 oC) and cool in the summer (75 oC – 80oC). Just as important, you need to have a dehumidifier to keep the air dry in the room. This will help cut down on the strong pet odor that can develop. A small floor mount 120 volt unit will be sufficient. Secondly, an exhaust fan should be installed. During peak business the pet odor can become over powering to customers. Install a timer on the fan, running it more often during peak business and evenings when you are closed.
Security – Due to the surrounding liability of washing dogs, a security system is a worth while investment. There are several good security systems on the market. Features worth having are a digital recording system (DVR) and internet viewing capabilities. The DVR can record month’s worth of activity on its hard drive. This eliminates having to put in new video tapes each day. Everything is stored in one place and viewable at your convenience. Having your system set up on the internet gives you a specific and secure site to view your pet wash. Anywhere there is access to the internet you can view your pet wash, real time.
A great example – a customer called the posted cell phone number in the pet wash when they could not figure out how to use it. The owner, over the phone and using the internet, watched and verbally walked the customer through the pet wash operation. Simply done using the internet and a cell phone.
Your pet wash should have set hours of operation. If you don’t have an attendant to open and close the wash on a daily basis a good investment would be automatic door locks. This will help secure your location on a daily basis.
Parking – You should have at least one parking space per tub installed. I know it sounds simple but many times this is a detail overlooked.
If you are building your pet wash center at a current car wash location keep in mind the flow of traffic. You don’t want your customers walking across any traffic lanes to get to the wash. Minimize the risk of a customer or dog getting hit by incoming or outgoing traffic.
Signage – Pet wash centers are still a new concept to the general public. Banners and signs are critical to the exposure of your pet wash. Banners with large lettering, logo’s and vibrant colors always catch peoples eyes’. As an owner you want to strike immediate interest but keep the message simple.
New customers will have a lot of questions about how the wash functions, chemical selections and cost. As the owner you can answers a lot of your customers questions with the appropriate signs. Post your start up cost is and how many minutes of operation you get in return. Secondly, a instruction menu explaining to the customer the proper washing procedures. Additional signs explaining how each chemical works and the benefits to using it on your dog can be very helpful.
Vending – There are several items that can be vended using drop shelf vendors. Common items are dog treats, towels, antibacterial wipes and plastic ponchos for the user. Making room to mount a few single or three column drop shelf vendor is a wise choice.
Tubs
Housekeeping – When building your pet wash center you want to design it primarily for the customer’s use and secondly for easy maintenance/clean up. Start off with using ceramic tile or plastic wall board for your walls. The walls and ceiling need to be constructed of a material that can handle the humid conditions and periodic wash downs. The floor can be as simple as painted concrete with texturing or something more elaborate such as patterned tile. What ever you decide, make sure it can with stand being wet for long periods of time and washes down easily.
Do not have electrical and/or water utility outlets inside the pet wash area. Customers will bring in their own blow dryers or extractors to dry their dogs instead of using yours. If you have a water outlet they will bring in their own hose to complete the final rinse step. Don’t laugh – it has already happened to several current owners. If you do have these outlets in your pet wash area make sure you have a way to lock them out or disconnect them.
Liabilities – Saving the most important issue for last. As an owner of any business you need to be aware of what risks and liabilities you will be vulnerable to. Before you even get prices on tubs, construction costs or any other items you need to call your insurance agent and lawyer and discuss your plans.
If you are adding onto a current establishment chances are you will not see any increase in insurance liability coverage. Most car washes carry a minimum of two million dollars in liability coverage which should be plenty for the entire operation. Keep in mind some smaller companies don’t have policies to cover this type of operation and they may not be able to offer you coverage. When you do find a company that will offer you coverage don’t forget to mention you will have a recordable security system. You may be given a discount for having one.
After you get done with your insurance agent, contact your lawyer. Discuss the venture with him and brainstorm on issues that might arise and what you can do as an owner to mitigate risk. The most common items are animal bites and injuries to an animal on your premises.
Pet wash centers use a tub disinfectant which helps keep bacteria levels down. The down side to the disinfectant is it can be harmful to the pet. Make sure you have proper signage alerting the customer to this fact.