Strategic partnerships with veterinarians, trainers, and other pet professionals can transform your boarding or daycare business. These relationships drive high-quality referrals, enhance your service offering, and build credibility in your community.
Why Partnerships Matter
The Referral Power of Vets
When pet parents ask their vet âWhere should I board my dog?â, that recommendation carries enormous weight. Veterinarians are trusted advisorsâtheir endorsement is worth more than any advertisement.
The Value of Trainer Relationships
Dog trainers work with owners actively investing in their pets. These are ideal customers for premium boarding and daycare services.
Mutual Benefit
Good partnerships benefit everyone:
- You get: Quality referrals, credibility, expert advice access
- Partners get: Trusted recommendation for their clients, potential referrals back, community relationships
Building Veterinary Partnerships
Identifying the Right Practices
Look for:
- Practices within 15-20 minutes of your facility
- Vets who board clientsâ pets themselves (they may want an alternative to recommend)
- Practices that align with your care philosophy (fear-free, positive approaches)
- Busy practices that need reliable boarding recommendations
Making the Approach
Donât: Walk in unannounced, immediately ask for referrals, or be salesy.
Do:
- Call to schedule a brief meeting with the practice manager or head vet
- Introduce yourself and your facility professionally
- Offer a tour of your facility
- Ask how you can support their clients (not how they can help you)
- Follow up with information about your services
What to Offer Vets
- Emergency contact availability: Be reachable when boarding pets have medical issues
- Clear communication protocols: How youâll notify them and owners of health concerns
- Transportation to their clinic: If pets need veterinary care during boarding
- Vaccination compliance: Assure them you enforce proper vaccination requirements
- Professional documentation: Share your health protocols, insurance, and licensing
Building the Relationship
- Regular check-ins: Visit quarterly, not just when you need something
- Referral acknowledgment: Thank them when they send clients (handwritten notes work well)
- Reciprocal referrals: Recommend their practice to your clients
- Joint education: Offer to provide information on boarding prep for their clients
Red Flags That Damage Vet Relationships
- Pets returning from boarding sick or injured without communication
- Ignoring vaccination requirements
- Being unreachable during emergencies
- Badmouthing other facilities or vets
- Expecting referrals without providing value
Building Trainer Partnerships
Types of Trainers to Partner With
- Puppy class instructors: New owners need socialisation and often daycare
- Behaviour specialists: Clients with challenging dogs may need structured daycare
- Private trainers: Work with committed owners who invest in their pets
- Agility/sport trainers: Engaged owners with active dogs
What You Offer Trainers
- Reinforcement of training: Staff who follow their techniques
- Structured socialisation: Controlled environment for behaviour practice
- Observation notes: Feedback on how dogs behave in group settings
- Referrals: Recommend their services to clients who need training
What Trainers Offer You
- Quality referrals: Owners already investing in their dogs
- Behaviour expertise: Advice on managing challenging dogs
- Staff training: Workshops on handling, body language, positive techniques
- Credibility: Association with respected professionals
Partnership Structures
| Type | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Referral exchange | Simple mutual recommendations | Low effort, steady leads |
| On-site training | Trainer offers classes at your facility | Revenue share, client convenience |
| Staff training | Trainer provides team workshops | Improved skills, credibility |
| Joint packages | Combined daycare + training offerings | Premium positioning, bundled value |
Other Valuable Partnerships
Groomers
- Cross-referral relationship
- âBath and brushâ add-ons during boarding
- Co-located services if space allows
- Joint promotions
Pet Stores
- Display your brochures/cards
- Referral programme for their staff
- Joint events (adoption days, meet-and-greets)
- Bulk supply purchasing
Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters
- They handle clients who canât board
- You handle clients they canât serve (holidays, emergencies)
- Not competitionâcomplementary services
Rescue Organisations
- Foster support during busy periods
- Adoption event hosting
- Community goodwill
- Staff volunteer opportunities
Making Partnerships Work
Formal vs. Informal Agreements
Informal: Handshake referral relationships work for simple exchanges. Most vet and trainer partnerships operate this way.
Formal: Written agreements for:
- Revenue sharing arrangements
- On-site service providers
- Exclusive referral commitments
- Joint marketing investments
Communication Essentials
- Clear expectations: What each party will do
- Regular check-ins: Quarterly at minimum
- Issue resolution: How to handle problems
- Feedback loops: Share whatâs working and what isnât
Measuring Partnership Value
Track for each partner:
- Referrals received
- Revenue from those referrals
- Referrals youâve sent back
- Joint activities completed
If a partnership isnât producing value for either side, address it or move on.
Common Partnership Mistakes
Being transactional: Only reaching out when you want something
Over-promising: Committing to things you canât deliver
Ignoring reciprocity: Taking referrals without giving back
Poor communication: Not following up on issues involving shared clients
Inconsistent quality: Referral partners stake their reputation on recommending you
Getting Started
Week 1-2: Research
- List veterinary practices within 20-minute radius
- Identify trainers active in your area
- Note groomers, pet stores, and walkers
Week 3-4: Prioritise
- Rank by potential value and accessibility
- Identify 3-5 priority partners to approach first
- Research each (website, reviews, approach philosophy)
Month 2: Outreach
- Schedule introductory meetings
- Visit practices to introduce yourself
- Offer facility tours
- Leave professional materials
Month 3+: Nurture
- Follow up on initial meetings
- Begin referral tracking
- Plan joint activities or events
- Maintain regular contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I offer referral fees to vets?
Generally no. Veterinary ethics guidelines often prohibit accepting fees for referrals. Focus on providing value and being a trustworthy recommendation.
What if a vet competitor also boards dogs?
Many vets offer boarding but prefer to refer out. They may not want the operational hassle. Approach them professionallyâthey may be relieved to have a quality alternative.
How do I handle it when a referred client has a bad experience?
Communicate proactively with the referral partner. Own the issue, explain what happened, and describe how youâre preventing recurrence. Transparency preserves relationships.
Can partnerships work in competitive markets?
Yes. Even in crowded markets, thereâs room for quality referral relationships. Focus on what makes your facility distinctive and find partners whose clients match your positioning.
How much time should I invest in partnerships?
Budget 2-4 hours monthly for partnership activitiesâvisits, follow-ups, joint planning. The ROI on this time typically exceeds other marketing investments.
Conclusion
Partnerships with veterinarians, trainers, and other pet professionals are among the highest-ROI marketing activities for boarding and daycare businesses. They take time to build but deliver consistently once established.
Start with one or two key relationships. Deliver exceptional value. Let results build naturally. The best partnerships compound over yearsâinvest in them accordingly.
Related reading: Marketing Dog Daycare & Boarding, Customer Loyalty Programs, Grow Your Kennel Business
