Marketing a pet care business requires connecting with pet owners where they spend time and building trust. Here are proven strategies that work.
Local SEO
Google Business Profile
Your most important free marketing tool:
- Complete every field
- Add high-quality photos
- Respond to all reviews
- Post updates weekly
- Use Google Posts feature
Local Keywords
Target searches like:
- “[City] dog boarding”
- “Dog daycare near me”
- “Pet boarding [neighborhood]”
- “Kennel in [city]“
Review Generation
More reviews = higher rankings:
- Ask happy customers directly
- Send post-stay review requests
- Make it easy (direct link)
- Respond to all reviews (positive and negative)
Social Media Marketing
The primary platform for pet businesses:
- Post daily photos/videos of dogs
- Use relevant hashtags (#[city]dogs)
- Tag dog owners (with permission)
- Stories for behind-the-scenes content
- Reels for viral potential
Still valuable for local reach:
- Community group participation
- Local business page
- Events for open houses
- Targeted local ads
TikTok
Growing for pet content:
- Short, fun videos
- Trending sounds
- Day-in-the-life content
- Before/after transformations
Referral Marketing
Customer Referrals
Word-of-mouth is powerful:
- Formal referral program (£20 credit per referral)
- Easy referral process
- Thank both referrer and new customer
- Track referral sources
Veterinary Partnerships
Build relationships with local vets:
- Leave brochures in waiting rooms
- Offer to display their materials
- Cross-refer clients
- Consider exclusive discounts for their clients
Pet Shop & Groomer Partnerships
Other pet businesses can send clients your way:
- Display each other’s materials
- Joint promotions
- Bundled services
Content Marketing
Blog Posts
Build authority with helpful content:
- Pet care tips
- Breed-specific guides
- Seasonal advice
- Local pet-friendly guides
Email Marketing
Stay in touch with past customers:
- Monthly newsletters
- Booking reminders for regulars
- Holiday promotions
- Pet birthday messages
Paid Advertising
Google Ads
Target high-intent searches:
- “[City] dog boarding” searches
- Location-based targeting
- Call tracking
- Landing pages
Facebook/Instagram Ads
Reach local pet owners:
- Target by location and interests
- Carousel ads showing facilities
- Video tours
- Special offers for first-timers
Budget Guidance
Start small and test:
- £100-300/month initially
- Track cost per acquisition
- Scale what works
Customer Retention
Loyalty Programs
Keep customers coming back:
- Punch cards (10th night free)
- Membership plans (monthly unlimited)
- Anniversary discounts
- Birthday treats for pets
Communication
Stay top of mind:
- Post-stay report cards
- Photo updates during stays
- Holiday greetings
- Check-in on infrequent visitors
Exceptional Experience
The best marketing is great service:
- Exceed expectations
- Handle problems professionally
- Remember pet preferences
- Treat every pet like your own
Measuring Success
Track these metrics:
- New bookings by source
- Customer lifetime value
- Referral rate
- Review quantity and rating
- Website traffic
- Social engagement
Marketing works best when consistent. Small daily efforts compound over time.
Related: How to Start a Dog Daycare Business | Dog Daycare Software
