Your new kennel or dog day care is in a great location with eye-catching signage. That’s great for visibility when it comes to passersby in your community. But what about the greater community-at-large that might not drive down your street every day? More and more dog owners seek out services for their pets via internet searches. Shouldn’t YOUR kennel or dog day care be online for local dog owners to discover?

So you’ve decorated your lobby, sealed your floors, spruced up your play area and hung up your shingle for all the world to see. Now what? What are the best ways to let your immediate community be aware of your presence and of the wonderful services you offer to dogs and dog owners in your area? Here are our Top Ten Tips for publicizing your business locally…

Keeping in touch with your kennel or dog day care clients is one of the best ways to retain them, and to keep them happy. The easiest way to accomplish this is with regular newsletters.

You’ve likely already heard of Angie’s List, which has become one of the single most important and most trusted sources of accurate consumer reviews of service-oriented businesses, including Boarding Kennels, Dog Grooming, Dog Training, Dog Walking and Veterinarians. If not, here’s what you need to know.

Grassroots marketing is the bread and butter of the kennel industry and small businesses in general. Clients are made, one at a time, through good contacts, individual conversations, and chatting in public places. Learn how to promote your dog day care, grooming salon or boarding facility wherever you go.

Vets and animal hospitals are a trusted source of information for many pet owners. Therefore, as the owner of a boarding kennel, dog day care, or grooming salon, you should aim to be on extremely good terms with all of the veterinarians in the area.

Your boarding kennel or dog day care should always be on the lookout for new media opportunities that may give the business positive exposure in the community. Pets are a hot topic for local television news, community magazines, and even national reporting from time to time. Make sure your front desk employees know just what to do when you’re lucky enough to have the media contact you.

T-shirts, clickers, dog clothing and branded accessories are only the beginning of branding your pet business through merchandising. Every kennel, dog day care or boarding facility should offer custom-branded items.