Pet Boarding and Daycare March April 2021

VOL 11 • ED 2

MARCH / APRIL 2021

WWW.PETBOARDINGANDDAYCARE.COM

Profile of Success

WOOF’S PLAY & STAY

THE IMPORTANCE

OF ROUTINE

& HOW IT BENEFITS YOUR CANINE CLIENTS

“WOOFS MOBILE” PHOTO BY “WOOF’S PLAY AND STAY”

4 POWERFUL STRATEGIES

TO CONNECT & REENGAGE WITH CLIENTS

BOOM YOU KNOW THE BOARDING

IS COMING. ARE YOU PREPARED?

Call 800.444.1579 for a FREE consultation.

shor-line.com

THE BRAND DOGS PREFER!

STAFF PUBLISHER Barkleigh Productions, Inc. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rebecca Shipman ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenn Barraclough

MARCH / APRIL 2021

CONTENTS

WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth PRESIDENT Todd Shelly VICE PRESIDENT Gwen Shelly

WOOF’S PLAY & STAY

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr

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DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / ACCOUNTS MANAGER Karin Grottola SOCIAL MEDIA / PR Evan Gummo MARKETING CONSULTANT Alex Hammersla

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CONTACT

General: (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com Editorial: rebecca@barkleigh.com

(717) 691-3388 (ext. 225) Advertising: james@barkleigh.com

(717) 691-3388 (ext. 224)

Copyright MARCH 2021. Pet Boarding & Daycare is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Boarding & Daycare c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

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6 Business 12

16 22

Animal Health

4 Powerful Strategies to Connect 44 Behind the Study: URIs in

Felines Significantly Decreased and Reengage with Clients

with UV Air Disinfection Small Town Success The “5 S’s” of Online Waivers Industry News

Think Tank 40 Think Tank: Digital or Die

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

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ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

THE IMPORTANCE OF

ROUTINE & HOW IT BENEFITS

YOUR CANINE

CLI ENTS

By Kama Brown

I

f things go right, a boarding or daycare experience will be a positive one for visiting dogs. Dogs will display behaviors that indicate they are happy and unworried, like running up to your door, eager to get inside and wagging their tails. Owners will notice this and feel confident that their pet is cared for and loved when they are under the care of your facility.

For some dogs, this excitement comes easily and naturally when visiting new places and they are happy to explore the unknown. However, for a lot of dogs—especially shy and anxious dogs, or very young or old dogs—creating a routine during their boarding or daycare experience can create confidence and a feeling of

6

safety. Feeling safe and confident will provide the dog the foundation they need to develop calm, happy, tail-wagging behaviors.

Dogs notice nuances in human behavior and they anticipate everything. All dogs use the cues in the environment around them to predict what will come next. In dog training, we call these cues “antecedents.”

Antecedents can be anything, but are often the people and places they see and smell, and the words and phrases they hear. Another antecedent that is not as obvious but just as important is time. The time of day (morning, afternoon, evening) and time between events, such as meals or treats, is something dogs can and do notice.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Dogs use routines and schedules to make predictions and respond with emotions and behaviors.

Familiarity means safety and security to a dog, and routine sights and smells are very important in creating positive experiences when dogs are away from their owners. There are some instances where routine is more helpful than others. Knowing what to expect is important, but when a schedule is too strict, deviating from it can cause anxiety and worry. It’s important to create variety in a routine and schedule while maintaining a framework for the dog’s day that creates confidence.

Schedules should be quite strict for puppies who are potty training.

Dogs who are fed on a very strict schedule may

Puppies need be given the chance to

become anxious or hyper if the schedule changes.

and kept to a schedule for sleeping in

potty frequently while they are awake

Owners often like to sleep later on the weekends,

a safe enclosed area during naps and

or have a short-term evening commitment, so it’s

begin to signal that they need to potty

good to build flexibility into meal times.

overnight. As the puppy grows, they will and their signals should be followed until they are physically mature enough to align their schedule with their owner’s.

When young puppies come for daycare or boarding, it’s important to discuss sleeping and eating schedules with their owners so the staff can do their best to mimic the puppy’s at-home routine. Many puppies still eat three meals a day and would need a meal even during a short stay.

Feeding meals on a schedule is another way to keep a dog happy. Feeding is a routine that should be regular but flexible. Feeding meals around the same time each day, but not at the exact same time each day, creates an easy-going and happy dog.

Dogs who are fed on a very strict schedule may become anxious or hyper if the schedule changes. Owners often like to sleep later on the weekends, or have a short-term evening commitment, so it’s good to build flexibility into meal times. Often I achieve this by having the dogs receive their meals in opposite order day to day, or vary the feeding routine by 10-30 minutes each day.

Something to keep in mind with long-term boarding clients is that their caloric intake needs may change in a new environment. Checking for body condition is important to keep a dog from losing weight. Often at home, dogs are getting extra calories from treats. And often at daycare, they are burning off more calories than they would at home, so it is common for dogs to need an increase in their daily food allowance if they spend weeks or months in boarding.

8

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

TRY TO MAINTAIN

8

OF THEM SHOULD ALREADY

BE FAMILIAR WITH EACH OTHER

rotate TWO DOGS OUT

a ratio of

80/20

WHEN CREATING DOG

PLAYGROUPS Another variable in the routine of

feeding is the type of food being given.

Most dogs need time to transition to new food and should be fed the same food they eat at home to reduce stress on their stomachs. However, it’s possible (and encouraged for most dogs) to add variety to their diet through treats and fresh foods. Giving high-value treats during a dog’s stay is a great way to use classical conditioning to reduce stress. My personal favorite treats are fresh foods such as green beans and carrots, single-ingredient treats like duck breast or lamb lung, and dehydrated raw food toppers.

One of the common goals of daycare is socialization among other dogs.

Successful socialization for pet dogs does declare the need for new situations but should be balanced with familiarity.

Try to maintain a ratio of 80/20 when creating dog play groups. In a group of ten dogs, eight of them should already be familiar with each other and two of them should be new. Rotate two dogs out and two dogs in after a few play sessions.

To get the most benefit from socializing with each other, dogs need to be around the same dogs multiple times. This is particularly important for adolescent dogs between the ages of 16 weeks and three years. The time of each session should also be scheduled but varied slightly. Keeping the length of the play sessions similar but slightly varied each day creates tolerance and good

2

OF THEM SHOULD

BE NEW

social skills. Keep in mind that a tired dog is a good thing, but an exhausted dog is often irritable and short-fused.

When bringing the dogs inside to rest, bring the most energized dog inside first. The dogs who are no longer playing will teach younger or overly energetic dogs how to calmly sniff and hang out in a lower–energy setting.

AND TWO DOGS IN AFTER A FEW PLAY SESSIONS

Daycare socialization should not just create intense play; it should create dogs who are happy to simply be around other dogs in a passive and calm way too.

How play groups are routinely set up will create good or bad habits in young dogs, so it’s important to be intentional with the personalities being put together.

If young dogs are only exposed to play

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9

with dogs similar in age, size, energy

Feeding an hour before playtime is anoth-

level and play style, these dogs will expect

er good routine since hunger can make a

all the dogs they encounter to meet this

dog irritable and short-fused.

criteria. To get the most positive behav-

The frequency and length of downtime should also

Employees should keep similar

ioral benefits from daycare, dogs need

schedules if possible, and work in

exposure to many different dogs, but they

teams that stagger so that one person

need this exposure during a time when

leaving doesn’t mean two new people

they already feel happy and secure.

at one time. Dogs can become anxious

The frequency and length of downtime should also be considered when creating a schedule. There should be a

or nervous with new people if they are brought upon them suddenly.

Whatever routines are chosen for

be considered when

routine for going inside and outside, and

your facility and staff, they need to be

handling should be consistent. If dogs are

consistent. Dogs are creatures of habit

creating a schedule.

put on a leash and then walked, or a slip

and thrive on routine. Antecedents

There should be a routine

lead is used, or they are walked by their

that remain constant create a feeling

collar, this should all be intentional and

of safety and familiarity. When dogs

routine. Keeping these situations the same

know what to expect each day and

will reduce stress, as the dog will always

when to expect it, they show less stress

outside, and handling

know what to expect.

behaviors. Create a set of routines and

Throwing a treat into individual

let your customers know the steps that

should be consistent.

enclosures after play is a great routine to

are being taken to create a home-away-

build excitement about coming inside.

from-home for their dog.

for going inside and

re inside he ful. s The echo and stres y is o n it makes

t me Either ge lugs, p some ear

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10

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

BUSINESS

4 Powerful Strategies to

CONNECT &

REENGAGE with Clients

By Laura Laaman

Compared to other industries, the pet care industry has always required extra TLC. We’re not just fixing a car; we’re caring for someone’s furry family member. But right now, the human TLC is more important than ever.

P

re-pandemic, you and

that you should be implementing to

your business likely took

make sure you are reengaging and

customers for granted. This

connecting with those precious clients

statement isn’t meant to be critical; it’s

and prospects:

a natural side effect of a business with a high volume of customers. Just like a coffee shop wouldn’t miss a regular

If you’ve read any of my articles

customer or two, you may have as-

before, you know how important

sumed that if a prospect didn’t book

I believe the phone is to your pet

with you, it was ok because you'd

care business. Since almost all your

have lots of other opportunities.

revenue comes through the phone,

Now, since business is likely

having a well-trained, skilled and

slower (at least in boarding due to re-

consistent team answering calls

duced travel), I hope you have a new

is critical to your success. The

appreciation for any new prospects, as

unfortunate truth is, right now, your

well as your existing and past clients.

phones likely aren’t ringing as much

If you do, does your staff? If so, what

as they were before the pandemic. But

are you doing to stay connected to

your phone team is still your revenue

your clients going forward?

ace in the hole.

Here are four powerful strategies 12

1. Make Outbound Calls

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

During more “normal” times,

making outbound calls is a meaningful way to stay connected to clients and generate more business. But in this time of social distancing and selfquarantine, it’s even more significant.

Even if fewer people are traveling, your other services (daycare, training, grooming) are still in high demand.

Now is the perfect time to reach out, say hello, and remind your customers you’re open and eager to provide your services. Not only does this keep your company in touch with its customers, it also elevates you above your less proactive competition.

What kind of outbound calls should your team be trained to make?

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• Reconnecting with customers who haven’t visited in a while and asking if they need your services • Offering to make grooming or daycare appointments • Providing a coupon to a service they haven’t tried yet • Informing them of a fun event you have coming up Your current receptionists may be reluctant to make these calls. If so, have an open conversation with them and talk through their apprehensions.

They may misinterpret these reengagement calls as cold calls. But, they’re not. They’re an act of reaching out, welcoming back a past customer and ideally offering them an incentive.

Even with these insights and tools, many receptionists won’t make outbound calls. They may agree to make them, but in reality, they won’t. What is an owner or manager to do? Hire someone with a different skill set. This competitive industry needs proactive people and strategies to thrive. The days of waiting for the phone to ring are gone.

2. Host Fun Events Many pet parents have been working at home, so your boarding business is

“ Looking back just the few short years we’ve been with OPC, the amount of growth in our company brings me to tears. I’m not just talking about revenue growth, but growth in myself, my sister, and my staff. I now have an entire team of people working to make my goals and dreams a reality, and truly making the pet industry great. You have honestly changed our lives.”

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13

If you have a fun event coming up, or if a certain service needs a boost, write up a promotional e-blast and send it off. Pick appealing photos, colors and subject lines to motivate more interest.

announcements, photos and special coupons to draw pet parents back.

They don’t have to be long emails— in fact, short and sweet is best due to how many emails people typically get.

If you have a fun event coming up, or if a certain service needs a boost, write up a promotional e-blast and send it off. Pick appealing photos, colors and

likely not thriving. But many facilities are enjoying even better daycare numbers than before COVID-19. Why? People still want their dogs exercised and entertained during the day—and let’s not forget the huge number of new adoptions last year.

Parties are a fun and novel way to attract new dogs and delight your regulars. Many first-time daycare event attendees will come back for more.

These events should be easy to run and

3. E-mail Marketing

profitable in the short and long term.

client database with news, event

Since COVID has severely interrupted clients from doing business with you, it's important to try to stay connected with your database. Phone calls are best (as discussed above), but emails are an efficient way to reach your database. You hopefully already collect your clients’ email addresses as part of the reservation process, so you can quickly reach your entire

subject lines to motivate more interest.

Don’t forget to encourage an action— like calling to register for your event or claim a special offer.

4. Social Media Presence Most people are even more tuned in to the digital world right now in the absence of traditional socializing.

Social media is an excellent way to reach huge numbers of people at once and generate engagement with your

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Who doesn’t like looking at pictures of dogs?

Many pet care facilities already have these strategies in place, and they’re

Facebook and Instagram are perfect places

effective no matter the time of year,

to showcase all the fun your furry guests are

emerge from the pandemic and do our

having at your facility. company and brand.

Who doesn’t like looking at pictures

the word about new services. And if you’re having daycare parties, you can

of dogs? Facebook and Instagram are

promote them on social media to drum

perfect places to showcase all the fun

up attendance.

your furry guests are having at your

Enliven your social media posting

facility. Pick active and cute pictures to

by engaging your audience directly.

share. Customers love to see and share

Encourage them to share pictures of

pictures of their own pets, and prospects

their dogs in the comments and ask

will take notice of how fun it looks.

them questions about their pets (e.g.,

Another good way to draw in new

What is the funniest thing you’ve caught

customers is by posting about any

your dog doing?) People love to talk

specials you’re having or spreading

about their pets, and rightfully so!

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

but they’re even more important as we best to recover. Pet parents will always need your services, but sometimes they just need to be reminded!

Laura Laaman is president of Outstanding Pet Care. Outstanding Pet Care guarantees to substantially increase the revenues of its clients with its proven services. If you’re interested in significantly growing your revenue, schedule an individual consultation with Laura Laaman or one of her team members. Call Outstanding Pet Care at 1-888-735-5667 or go to www.

OutstandingPetCare.com/get-in-touch .

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Success

By Annalisa Berns chieving success in business is a challenge in any size community, but in a small town, it presents its own unique struggles and opportunities.

Any small town is lucky to have a pet service provider. Just ask someone who has a Poodle in a town without a groomer! Boarding, daycare and grooming provide essential services for the wellbeing of humans and pets alike.

One of the biggest challenges for a small town business can be staffing. It can be harder to find staff with the necessary skills when you don’t have a large selection of applicants to begin with.

Many choose to go it alone, and while 16

being a sole proprietor can be rewarding, it can be difficult when you get sick or need time off. Other challenges include competition from other similar businesses, zoning issues and meeting client demands with limited resources.

To build a successful small town business, nothing is more important than superior care.

“We operate in a town where under 800 people live, but people will travel distances to ensure good care,” said Cassandra Bauer of Grand View Canine Care in rural Arkport, New York.

Bauer has clients that drive two hours to bring their pets to her facility because they appreciate and value the

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

excellent care her facility provides.

Here are some additional top tips from successful small town pet businesses and clients: Offer Special Perks “Our biggest challenge is we have at least 10 other doggie daycares [in our area], so we have to keep up with everything they do and always try and find ways to be different from them,” Jamie Thomas-Hubiak, owner of Specialty Pet Grooming, Doggie Daycare and Boarding in Evansville, Indiana, commented.

One way they stand out is by having a staff member take pictures every day of the playgroup for social media.

What does the future hold for your business?

It’s never too early to start planning.

As you begin considering options for your business’s future, it’s important to find a partner aligned with your values, respectful of the enterprise you’ve built and equipped to help your business grow.

NVA is here to help provide options for the future.

Let’s talk.

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10 EASY IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF

YOUR SMALL TOWN but is still critical (like accounting).

Make your branding consistent. Use your logo, contact information, colors, tagline, etc., consistently. Put together a “style sheet” (list of standardized font, layout and design elements) to reference.

Continue your education.

There are many online resources for information and courses. Be sure you are learning from credible experts.

Collaborate with other pet businesses.

A local veterinarian or pet store might agree to promote your services if you do the same for them, or team up and host an event together.

Get the kids in your community involved in your business. Speak at the local school's career day, have a contest for kids or host “youth reading to pets” evenings.

Verbalize how much you appreciate clients’ business and support. People like being told “thank you” and how much their business is appreciated.

PET BUSINESS

Have good signage. If finding your business is like going on a scavenger hunt, you have a problem. Post as many directional signs as you can.

Consider adding additional services such as in-home pet care and dog walking. If there is not a lot of other local competition offering these services, they can be a very profitable add-on.

Improve your time management skills. Start by keeping a simple record of how you spend your time each day and what gets pushed to the side

you, return the favor by giving him your business as well. These business owners will be even more likely to recommend your services to their customers.

Patronize non-pet-related businesses that support your business. If the local hardware store owner boards his dog with

Host open houses, special events, parties and promotions regularly.

Keep the focus on two things: thanking and retaining existing customers and finding new customers.

Corner a Niche Market You might not be able to “corner the market” of all pet services in your area, but you can corner a specific niche.

At ChalQuest Kennels in Chesapeake, Virginia, owner Danielle Fondale Fernandes is able to welcome dog aggressive and unaltered animals due to their small business size. They are able to take dogs out separately for exercise, which larger facilities in big cities can't offer due to space and logistics.

Flexibility might be something you can offer that other businesses can't.

While setting boundaries is critical to long-term business success, being flexible is a business asset. For example, permitting an early drop-off with a long-time client.

Focus on Customer Service In a small town, customer service can make or break a business. Excellent customer service starts with clear communication combined with plenty of 18

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

patience. If you aren't a “people person,” consider hiring someone who enjoys human interaction to work with customers, help with public relations and run the front office. Excellent customer service is an opportunity to keep and earn new business. In a small town, that also means being careful what you say and to whom.

Gossip is a business killer!

One way to improve customer service is to focus on ways you can give more individualized attention and services. Taking notes about issues or preferences of each owner will assure you that important but minor issues are not forgotten. And, learning the name of the pet and being able to recognize the owner by name will strengthen loyalty to your business.

Ask Questions Find out exactly what your customers’ needs are; don’t just assume. Surveys are an excellent way to get feedback and

get to know your customers better. You can offer a survey online and promote it on social media or in email newsletters.

Alternatively, print out surveys and hand them out to possible clients. Ask pointed questions about what services and perks they care about. For example, you might be focusing on fancy decor when your clients really care about a larger play area.

Accounting is Critical Have a solid accounting process. No matter if you use pen and paper or a fancy software accounting program, you need to track and know your numbers.

Even if you have an accountant, you need to be comfortable reading and understanding financial statements to avoid accounting mistakes and scenarios of embezzlement. You want to know what your monthly numbers are, including cash flow, net income, profit/ loss, sales, price points, gross margins and total inventory.

Use Technology Make sure your business is listed on Google maps and social media. You are missing new business leads if you aren't on these platforms. Most social media is free advertising for your business but does require an investment of your time and focus. If technology isn't your area of expertise, then hire someone to help out. Make sure you still have access to accounts and all passwords.

“Clear and consistent social media and connecting with other businesses and nonprofits is critical to business success. Also making sure our Google listing is up-to-date and having people write reviews!” emphasizes Bauer.

Keep in mind to set boundaries and take care of yourself. If you aren't happy and healthy, your business won't be in a position to thrive!

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THE

OF

5

S

O

perating hours, staffing, inventory strategies, revenue models…by this point in the crisis, you’ve likely explored every opportunity and option to keep your business going and your customers’ pets cared for. But there’s one simple solution you may have overlooked: digital waivers.

While you’re likely quite familiar with paper and PDF waivers, online digital waivers offer several simple, safe and smart advantages. Here are the “5 S’s” of digital waivers and how they can help your business avoid liability while streamlining operations: 1. Simplify Unlike sanitizing your surfaces every 30 minutes, digital waivers are a simple, quick way to keep your business protected. Within minutes, your customers can electronically sign and submit their digital waivers on your website without even setting foot in your place of business. This makes check-in easier, faster and safer for everyone involved.

By Daryl McCarl It’s safe to say that 2020 belongs in the doghouse. Pet boarding and daycare facilities have faced tremendous challenges during COVID-19. And as overlooked essential businesses, it’s critical that you do everything possible to adapt and overcome.

22

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

2. Streamline During the pandemic, you’ve likely had to trim down on staff and/ or hours to align costs with revenue.

With fewer hands on deck, your staff is scrambling to take reservations, check clients in and out, and care for the animals. The last thing they have time for is to distribute, verify, file and chase down hardcopy waivers. And, if one falls through the cracks and something unfortunate happens to a client’s pet, it could take a bite out of your business and your bottom line.

Secure digital waivers take the hassle out of handling paperwork by moving the entire process to the virtual realm. Choose a secure digital waiver

With a digital waiver, your customers simply click a link on your website to complete the form from home, in their car or wherever.

24

system that stores all your waivers in a centralized, online location in an easily-searchable format so your staff can quickly find what they’re looking for. For added simplicity and savings, make sure the digital waiver solution you select integrates easily with the reservation system you already use.

3. Sanitize You’ve done everything in your power to make your customers feel comfortable leaving their pets in your care during COVID-19. You’ve gone through thousands of sanitizing wipes, applied social-distancing decals to your floor, conducted temperature checks and learned to live with a mask permanently attached to your face. Further, you’ve made sure your customers know about all the extra work you’re putting in to keep them safe while in your establishment.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Digital waivers give your clients— and yourself—more ways to stay safely socially distanced while the crisis drags on. With a digital waiver, your customers simply click a link on your website to complete the form from home, in their car or wherever. Some digital waiver systems even offer QR codes that can be scanned for an entirely touch-free signing experience. No need for anyone to handle a clipboard or pull a pen from the clean pen cup—or even enter your place of business for that matter—as all check-in and waiver-signing processes can be handled curbside for the ultimate customer and staff peace of mind.

4. Smile Donald Duck. Frank Einstein.

Some random scribble. You never know who signed your waivers, and on the rare but critical occasions that you actually need them, a customer could

claim he or she didn’t sign anything.

While customers can fake their signatures, they can’t fake their faces. Some digital waiver systems also capture photos of your customers as they sign using a convenient waiver kiosk. No more guessing or disputes. Every digital waiver has a signature and an option to include a photo for failsafe protection.

This way, you can be sure to nip any identity verification issues in the bud before they ever get out of hand.

5. Strategize If you’re like most pet boarding and daycare businesses, you thrive on repeat business. In fact, your most faithful customers have probably been key to keeping your doors open during the pandemic.

Digital waivers give you another powerful tool to boost customer satisfaction, increase loyalty and keep customers coming back—now and long after this crisis is over.

Stop looking at your waivers as a necessary but neutral nuisance. More than capturing users’ signatures, digital waivers contain a wealth of information about your customers—and put it all right at your fingertips. Some digital waiver systems will let you include as many customized questions on your forms as you like so you can glean all sorts of insights. Some solutions even let you add notes and comments to waivers after they’ve been signed.

With quick access to easy-to-read reports and analytics, digital waivers let you mine this rich data to: • Understand your customers’ preferences • Assess which services customers use most • Keep track of daily visitors • Find out when and how often customers bring in their pets • Learn how your customers want to be contacted • See what additional products or services are purchased Armed with these invaluable insights, you’ll be able to personalize

service to meet your customers’ individual needs and wants. You’ll also be able to leverage the customer data you’ve collected for more targeted and effective email communications and other marketing efforts. Then, you can easily target customer segments and create tailored offers to drive more business.

Backed by the right digital waiver software, you have the ability to bring

your daycare or boarding business to the next level—protecting your staff, customers and pets alike. Just remember the “5 S’s” of online waivers and what they can offer you!

Daryl McCarl is the Director of Business Development at Smartwaiver (www. smartwaiver.com), the leading digital waiver service trusted by thousands of organizations around the world.

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25

PROFILE OF SUCCESS

The Business of Success

By Kathy Hosler

26

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Photos provided by “Woof’s Play & Stay”

ndy Wiltz, owner of Woof ’s Play & Stay, entered the pet care field in a rather unique way. In college, Andy studied entrepreneurship. After finishing his education, he did strategy consulting throughout the U.S. and overseas. One year, Andy did extremely well at the consulting company he was with. For his efforts, Andy received a whopping 0% raise.

“That’s when I decided I was done working for someone else,” Andy said. “I had always known that I wanted to have my own business someday, and that 0% raise convinced me that now was the time to do it. Over my 10 plus years of doing strategy and consulting work for others, I had saved PHOTOS PROVIDED BY “WOOF’S PLAY & STAY”

money—and I was ready.”

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Andy looked at about a dozen businesses. He was determined to find one that would make him happy and excited to go to work every day. In early 2015, he found the perfect fit in Woof ’s Play & Stay. It was a family-owned business with about 15 employees located in Merriam, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.

Andy grew up with pets. And his Giant Schnauzer, Brizo, was the real inspiration

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If a shag carpet-covered Hoodle (half

Honda, half Poodle) sneaks up behind you on the road, don’t worry, that’s just Andy and Dan Wiltz having a bit of fun!

horn, it may be one of the most creative

throughout the trip, just watching people

Oscar Meyer invented the Weiner Mobile.

mile worthwhile.”

combinations of publicity and fun since

Their 21-state odyssey originated in

smile when they passed us made each He especially enjoyed visiting the

Inspired by Jim Carey’s 1994 hit

Kansas City, home of Woof’s Play & Stay,

American Pickers store in Iowa (home of

doggie daycare owner Andy Wiltz and

grooming business owned by Andy Wiltz,

History Channel show).

movie Dumb and Dumber, Kansas City his dad decided to recreate Dumb and

Dumber’s “Shaggin’ Wagon” and hit the highway last Fall.

With three hundred square feet of

shag carpet covering the Honda Element, a black nose, pink tongue and a barking

to take all that knowledge and apply it to my passion for dogs,” Andy says. “I know

a popular dog daycare, boarding and

antiques and the base for the popular

and they traveled 3,649 miles in 124 hours.

The Hoodle, and its whirlwind tour,

They brought smiles to faces along the way

really increased the traffic to their web-

Bourbon Trail in their itinerary.

was recognized as having one of the

and included Niagara Falls and Kentucky’s Andy says, “Besides the thousands

of photos that people took of the car

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cleaning and feeding, and managing the play groups,” Andy continues. “I needed to learn every aspect of the business in order to develop my team. For the first two years, I never had a complete day off, but all that hard work has paid off

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“I can only be in one place at a time, but if I have a strong team, I know that the standard I have set for myself is going to be upheld at the other locations.”

– Andy Wiltz, Owner of Woof’s Play & Stay

“One of the areas I really focused on was developing a capable, strong

employees. We provide health

team,” stresses Andy. “I can only be

insurance, paid vacations, retirement

in one place at a time, but if I have

planning, supplemental insurance,

a strong team, I know that the stan-

and more to our staff. It’s expensive,

dard I have set for myself is going to

but I have such low turnover, that

be upheld at the other locations.”

my human training costs are really

There are currently nine Woof locations throughout Kansas and Missouri.

“My employees are my biggest

32

location has between 15 and 20

low. Because of that, I can invest that money back into the team.”

In the beginning, that single location offered daycare, boarding

asset. Without them, I don’t have

and grooming. In addition to those

a business,” he continues. “Each

services, most of the nine locations

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“Even before COVID, we gave online tours of our facilities through our website. That’s more important now then ever.”

– Andy Wiltz, Owner of Woof’s Play & Stay

also offer cat boarding, multiple group and private dog training options, and retail sales. And, like many other facilities, Woof ’s Play & Stay offers standard and luxury suites, and multiple add-on options for their overnight boarding guests.

When it comes to daycare, they have their basic daily rates, as well as multiple half- and full-day packages, and a new membership program. The special membership program that Andy has created is for dogs that regularly attend daycare. For a set monthly fee, Woofpack daycare members get unlimited daycare visits and exclusive perks, including a free monthly nail trim and buffing, and/ or a free bath and blow dry. They also get preferred boarding and can make holiday reservations before the general public is able to. And, being a member locks in 34

the daycare pricing for the life of the dog.

Owners really like that.

2020 was a difficult year for most pet care facilities, and Woof ’s Play & Stay was no exception.

“COVID-19 made us take a step back and look at how we ran the stores,” Andy says. “From a labor and cost perspective, we lost control of income. With no one traveling, it’s hard to get dogs in for boarding. And, with people working from home, daycare is not as important to pet parents. This was a really good time for us to look internally to see how we were doing things and how we could do them better and cheaper. We have been able to streamline some of our processes and do things in a more efficient way going forward.”

Their website, www.woofsplaystay.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

com, has proved vital to their success.

Through it they can inform the public about the services, facility hours, prices and more that they offer at each location.

Owners can even make reservations online for their pets.

“Even before COVID, we gave online tours of our facilities through our website,” says Andy. “That’s more important now then ever. It allows potential clients access to our facilities where they can see our accommodations and play areas.

And, our 24-hour streaming webcams enable owners to watch their dogs play and have fun. That’s so much more valuable than just emailing them a photo.

“Being able to post on social media is also crucial to our success. It’s a free outlet to connect with our customers. It provides a high engagement between them (and

their group of friends), and ourselves,” shares Andy.

Andy’s business background also helps him select the best and most cost-efficient marketing strategies.

“When we do target advertising, it allows us to get a lot more for our marketing dollars than a blanket ad through a print magazine or radio which goes out to a broad audience of people who may not even have a pet,” Andy explains.

Andy Wiltz combined his business knowledge with his love for pets to expand Woof ’s Play & Stay from a single location to nine—in just five short years.

“The approach I took of learning business practices first, then getting into pet care was rather unique,” says Andy. “It enabled me to take all of the experience I gained working with different clients across many industries and relate it to the pet care industry. As a result, Woof ’s Play & Stay has become a business that truly makes me happy, and I am still excited to go to work everyday.”

Now, that’s the real measure of success!

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

35

CATS

A FELINE

By Deborah Hansen

O

wners that view their pets as family members expect us, as pet care professionals, to also treat their pets as family members.

And part of this treatment may mean keeping their pets in the family unit during the boarding stay.

Many owners have multiple cats, or both cats and dogs. As boarding facility owners and operators, it can be overwhelming to try to figure out how to keep the family unit intact while providing the best possible care, ensuring safety and maximizing our profit levels. When we can successfully address the management of family units, it not only enhances our ability to market to our current clients, but attracts a new kind of clientele, allowing us to charge a premium when the family unit is boarded together.

36

Felines are finicky when it comes to the company they keep. But a cohesive pet family unit—which many owners work hard to establish—should be used to your advantage during the boarding stay. These well-bonded families act as natural stress reducers by providing reassurance and confidence to each other.

There are several ways felines can be kept in their family unit during boarding. And as with any new procedure, it will take some trial and error to establish a formula that works best for your business. But once your business has found a system that works, it can be extended and enhanced to develop add-ons that fit your branding.

Feline families come in many forms. When there are multiple cats in one family, it is the easiest model to PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

accommodate during boarding. If your feline enclosures are large enough, or if you have the ability to open up a panel to create a larger holding area, housing multiple cats together becomes simple.

When considering housing multiple cats together, there are several things that your boarding facility should take into account: 1. How long have the cats been living in the same home? If one of the cats just moved in, it may be best to give that cat its own space, or closely monitor this family unit as bonding may not have been completed as of yet.

2. Do the cats like each other? It is important to gather information

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about family dynamics before you board a feline family together. If one cat needs time alone, plays too rough or gets grumpy with the other cat(s), it may be best to board the family next to each other but not together to avoid injury or bullying.

3. Is the space large enough? Is there enough room for the cats to have their own space if they choose, a litter box, room to play, and separate food and water bowls? Even closely-bonded siblings need some alone time.

4. What are the temperament of the cats? If one of the cats is aggressive, or when the cats are together they become more aggressive, it may not be safe for your staff to have the family together. Having an aggressive cat during boarding is hard enough when tending to basic needs. Adding a sibling that the aggressive cat protects, or a sibling that

triggers the easy-going cat to become aggressive, may not be the best setup for the safety of your employees or the cats.

If your enclosures are not big enough for multiple cats, or there is a reason why your facility has decided it is best not to house the feline family together, housing the kitties next to each other helps keep the family unit intact. While the cats are not physically together, their vocalizations, smell or a paw reaching around the corner will reassure their siblings. Housing the cats across from each other so they can see their family members also offers a source of comfort during boarding when the next adjacent enclosure is not available.

Dogs can be part of the feline family, too! However, when there is a canine family member, things get more difficult. Dog runs are typically not designed to board cats. Access to an outside area and/or an opening at the top or bottom that a cat can easily climb

or wiggle out of are unsafe for felines.

Another challenge is the litter box and feeding time. Obviously we do not want dogs to have access to the richer cat food or the litter box. Unless your dog area was specifically designed to house cats as well as dogs, it may not be possible to house these families together.

Multi-species family units (not just dogs and cats) may not be able to sleep together during boarding, but can have other options to interact. If you have a secure visitation room, these families can spend time together in the visitation room. If that is not an option, having the cat in its carrier and allowing the dog to smell and walk around the carrier helps the family feel less lonely and more secure about the boarding process.

A word of caution: I would never bring a dog into the cat area. It could lead to stress and behavioral problems for the other cats in the area, or for the cats that will be arriving in the days to come. Keep in mind, the smell of a canine puts many cats on edge.

While keeping the family unit together is usually best, when multiple animals from any household share a space there is always an opportunity for issues to arise. The stress of boarding may bring out the worst in felines, as it does in canines. You will want to monitor for the same warning signs you monitor for in your dog area. If one cat is being aggressive or picking on another, it may be in the best interest of the boarding business to move the cat to prevent injury or health issues.

Keeping feline families together during boarding not only brings comfort to the owners, but reduces the stress level of the cats as well. Making this change in your business may be difficult at first, but in the end it will attract a different kind of a client base which will allow you to charge a premium for your feline boarding services.

38

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

THINK TANK

think DIGITAL OR DIE

By Fernando Camacho

2020 was the year that changed everything.

I

nstead of going out and spending time in the real world, people flooded to the digital world.

Thanks to our phones, tablets and computers, we were able to do business, interact with others and live our lives in what became 2020's “new normal.”

The world was already headed more and more toward digital environments, but the pandemic greatly accelerated the process. And now it's here to stay.

I watched many businesses just pull the covers over their heads and hunker down, waiting until things went back to normal. Those businesses struggled terribly and many were forced to close their doors forever. However, I also watched other companies realize the

40

shift in the marketplace, made the necessary adjustments and were able to not only survive but come out stronger than before.

Thanks to COVID, the business landscape has forever changed and you need to evolve with it or find yourself irrelevant in this very digital world. The internet is not a fad, social media is not going away, and now is the time to embrace and harness these powerful tools to grow your business in 2021 and beyond.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN DO THAT FOR YOUR BUSINESS: 1. Optimize your digital assets.

What does your online presence look like? Will it give people a good impression of you and showcase your business to its full potential? Start with your website and make sure it's

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

fully responsive (adapts to the device it's being viewed on) and gives a great mobile experience. Make sure it loads quickly, is easy to read and is designed well (it's your digital storefront).

You also want to make sure you look good on all your social media channels. Improve your cover images and profile pictures, and provide detailed info in the “about” sections so that people can learn about your business (think of your social profiles as mini websites for your business.)

2. Have a presence on social media platforms. You need to meet your customers where they are at—and they are online more than anywhere else. Like it or not, it's a social media world. That's where people are gathering, that's where the conversations are being held and

that's where all the eyeballs are—and you need to be there. I recommend starting with one platform at a time, and Facebook is hands-down the largest and most versatile, so that's where you want to be seen.

Don't just post offers and list events.

Instead, use it to provide value; educate, entertain and inspire your audience, all while interacting and engaging with them. Social media is not a one-way broadcast media; it's a two-way communication. You need to be responding to comments, asking questions and proving that there are real people on the other side of the keyboard.

Hint: Don't post the exact same thing on both Facebook and

Twitter at the same time in the

exact same way. That's how you show people there is no one

home—just robot automation.

42

3. Don't forget about email. The bad thing about social media is that you don't own the platforms and have no control over what happens there or how it works.

Your email list, however, is all yours, and even if Facebook shuts down tomorrow, you can still communicate with your leads and customers via email.

Email is a very underrated and underutilized tool, but it's still the only place where you have someone's undivided attention without all the noise of social channels. It's also something that people check in with multiple times per day. Use it to nurture new leads and take better care of your existing customers.

your business in front of people.

4. Digital advertising. If you haven't done so yet, start marketing your business using paid advertising online.

It's always been the most cost-effective, flexible and easy-to-track form of getting your message out there; however, now more than ever, it's the place to get

staff training and helps pet businesses utilize

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

I get very excited about this stuff because I've seen how explosively powerful it is for my clients. Digital has always been the future, and the future is here, now.

You can either jump in and ride the wave, or be sucked down and washed away.

Questions for this column come from the Facebook group The Dog Daycare Business Think Tank and are answered by Fernando Camacho (Fern). Fern runs Overdog Digital, a digital marketing agency specializing in working with dog daycare and boarding facilities. He does private business consulting, modern resources to expand their customer base and grow their businesses. Fern is also the author of six books and is a speaker at national conferences and private events. To join the group or ask a question, go to: www. facebook.com/groups/dogdaycarethinktank

ANIMAL HEALTH

BEHIND THE STUDY:

URIs in Felines

SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED WITH UV Air Disinfection

By Annette Uda

U

pper respiratory infections

the airborne component of feline

(URIs) in an animal

respiratory infections may be more

shelter’s kitten nursery de-

significant than previously recognized.

creased 87.1% when ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation air disinfection systems were used, according to a

44

Study Background Because the use of UV germicidal

throughout the 2018 kitten season.

Kittens were estimated to be four to eight weeks old; sometimes nursing queens were also in the nursery. Two UV air disinfection systems were installed, one in-duct

recent study published in the Journal

irradiation in animal shelters had not

(working in the HVAC system) along

of the American Veterinary Medical

been previously reported, the purpose

with one standalone upper air UV

Association (JAVMA). The three-year,

of the study was to evaluate the

unit, which produced a combined

retrospective observational field

effectiveness of UV air disinfection

UV dose calculated to eliminate more

trial was conducted at the Arizona

on reducing the incidence of URIs in

than 99% of targeted bacteria and

Humane Society in Phoenix, Arizona

a feline kitten nursery. The three-year

viruses, including influenza virus and

using HVAC and upper air UV disin-

field trial, conducted at a clean and

feline calicivirus, as well as Bordetella

fection systems.

modern animal care facility, began

bronchiseptica, MRSA and distemper.

Airborne transmission of viral

during kitten season in 2016 when

Throughout the study, standard

and bacterial pathogens has not been

no UV was in operation. From July

operating protocols for cleaning the

adequately addressed in disinfection

through November 2017, the UV

nursery were maintained and airflow

protocols in animal facilities, despite

systems were operated intermittently

through the HVAC system was constant.

respiratory pathogens posing a

in four-week cycles and then, as it

considerable threat to animal health

became clear to the shelter staff after

in such environments. The study

the 2017 season that infection rates

concluded that, considering the

had decreased significantly, the UV

to which diseases are transmitted by

impact UV air disinfection had,

systems were operated continuously

the air may not be well understood

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Disease Transmission By way of background, the degree

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As we’ve come to understand for humans in the wake of a historic pandemic (and as this animal shelter study helps make clear for animal care), the impact of airborne transmission is considerable. because other routes such as direct

airborne for extended periods of time

transmission. During a presentation

contact and ingestion may be

and pathogens that settle on surfaces

for Harvard Medical Grand Rounds on

predominant. However, there is ample

can be re-aerosolized by air movement

September 10, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci,

evidence that many pathogens can cause

through HVAC systems, high-pressure

Director of National Institute of Allergy

infection via inhalation and they can also

washing of cages and even just walking.

and Infectious Disease (NIAID),

be transported in the air before being

As noted in the study, the three

discussed “some misunderstanding

deposited on fomites where they can

pathogens that cause URIs (feline

between droplets and aerosolized

then lead to direct contact infections.

herpesvirus-1, calicivirus and B.

particles” and that aerosol and particle

bronchiseptica), which are of great

physicists “have told us that we’ve

“Aerosols are suspensions of solid

concern for animal care facilities, are

really gotten it wrong over many, many

or liquid particles that range in size

known or suspected to be transmitted

years and that particles greater than 5

between 0.01 and 100 μm (microns),

through the air.

microns still stay in the air much, much

As described in the published study,

may contain hair and shed skin cells,

Since this animal shelter study

longer than we thought. When we used

and may be produced by coughing,

was conducted, a human pandemic

to say, empirically, that greater than

sneezing, vocalization, and breathing.”

has led to increased awareness and

5 microns it drops to the ground and

Aerosolized droplets can remain

understanding of aerosols and airborne

5 microns it might be aerosolized, as we know now that this is just not the case. Bottom line is there is much more

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A micron, also known as micrometer, is a size one-thousandth of a millimeter or one twenty-fivethousandth of an inch. As points of reference, a human red blood cell is

Manufactured in panels (gate panel, isolation side panel, back panels) that are shipped direct to your shelter for easy installation.

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approximately 7 microns in size, while a cross-section of human hair is around 75 microns, give or take 20 microns or so depending on the hair. If you read the packaging on your air filters, it will most likely also refer to the size of microns it can trap.

When animals and humans cough or sneeze, some of the expelled droplets, which contain viruses, may be larger in size and quickly drop to surfaces where they can be eliminated with normal surface cleaning procedures,

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but the smaller droplets can travel

Custom Stainless Steel and Aluminum Fabrication For the Animal Industry 46

aerosol than we thought.”

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

farther and stay in the air longer. The significance of what Dr. Fauci shared in his presentation is that they may not

absorber towel

need to be as small to travel farther and may linger in the air longer than what had been the accepted rule.

As we’ve come to understand for humans in the wake of a historic pandemic (and as this animal shelter study helps make clear for animal care), the impact of airborne transmission is considerable. Not covered in the published study is a look at why the airborne route in animal care may have been given short shrift.

For example, a 1977 study of aerosol transmission of feline caliciviruses1 is still relied on to support the premise that the airborne route plays no significant role in transmission of the infection. But, taking a look at that now fourdecades-old study, the low volume sampling methods used were unlikely to have succeeded, rendering the conclusion doubtful. Moreover, just two years later, a 1979 study demonstrated that feline calicivirus could cause infection by the airborne route.2 But reliance on the 1977 study persists even today.

Sometimes it takes decades to shift commonly held views. But, for Fauci, who has been director of NIAID since 1984, that shift came in 2020. Perhaps this air cleaning study could be that perception shift for animal care.

As the JAVMA shelter study concludes, “The airborne transmission of feline respiratory infections may be more important than has been previously recognized.”

Further, the study’s lead author, Dr. Robyn A. Jaynes, has also expressed, “Even in well-ventilated spaces already outfitted with air filters, like the subject kitten nursery, more may need to be done to clean the air.”

48

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Study Results and Beyond The study’s big takeaway, of course, is that URIs decreased a remarkable 87.1%, but additional, unpublished data was just as notable. During the 2017 kitten season, when the systems were operated only intermittently, there was an overall 76.6% reduction in URIs, compared with the year prior when no UV was in operation.

In short, as the study further concludes, air disinfection using UV germicidal irradiation systems “may be an effective adjunct to standard infection prevention and control protocols in reducing the risk of transmission of respiratory pathogens among kittens in nurseries and shelters.”

Finally, another aspect only lightly touched on in the study, but worthy of future study, is the impact of air cleaning with UV in terms of costs. While costs were not evaluated in the present study,

the authors did note that “because the

equipment in both the human space and,

incidence of URIs was reduced when

under the brand PetAirapy, in the animal

the UV systems were used, the cost of

space. Since 2008 the company has been

the systems per kitten per stay could be

dedicated to developing researched,

lower than the cost of care per sick kitten

tested, and study-backed UV air cleaning

per stay after a nominal payback period.

systems for indoor environments. For

The purchase and installation of the UV

more information, visit PetAirapy.com

systems are one-time costs, and the cost

for animal environments and Aerapy.

to power the systems is minimal.

com for human environments.

For the formal details and analysis, be sure

References:

to read “Effect of ultraviolet germicidal

1. Wardley RC, Povey RC. Aerosol

irradiation of the air on the incidence of

transmission of Feline caliciviruses.

upper respiratory infections in a kitten

An assessment of its epidemiological

nursery,” by Robyn A. Jaynes, DVM,

importance. Brit Vet J 1977;133:504-508.

Melissa C. Thompson, DVM, and Melissa A. Kennedy, DVM, PhD, in the November

2. Ormerod E, McCandlish IA, Jarrett O.

1, 2020, issue of JAVMA.

Diseases produced by feline caliciviruses when administered to cats by aerosol

Annette Uda is the founder of Aerapy,

or intranasal instillation. Vet Rec

manufacturer of UV disinfection

1979;104(4):65-69.

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A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

antibiotics. It has been a tough journey, but the nourishment Leah receives and the bond we share is so worth it. There is something so special about knowing that your whole body is pouring out the love for your baby that you have in your heart.

Have you experienced any bias because of breastfeeding?

I think the public is gradually becoming more accepting of breastfeeding, but there is still work that needs to be done. Breasts are so over-sexualized in our culture that many people still think of breastfeeding as something that needs to be hidden away, either under a nursing cover or in a special nursing room, like the one at church I am expected to go to every time my baby gets hungry during a church service. In many other cultures, no one looks at you twice when you LIFESTYLE use your breasts for the very purpose they were designed for—feeding babies! How great would it LIFE KS FOR THE be if our culture could get to this HAC point, too?

There is something so special about knowing that your whole body is pouring out the love for your baby that you have in your heart.

– Dr. Sara Pilgrim

Y PA R EN T

W

S2 pump hat Ifor work! didn’t find? Life hacks for the working veterinary mom. So here are my top 5 lifepadshacks for Nursing I would the working veterin parent (and yes, ary constantlythis leakapplie through s to you dads, too.)

my clothes without them!

DON ’T

UNSWAD DLE AT NIGH

Plesser

B r e a s t fe e d i n g P ro d u c t s

WORK IN VET ER INAR G

Do you have advice for those considering breastfeeding?

Read as much as you can about breastfeeding before you have the baby! I spent a lot of time learning about giving

By Justin birth,ebut Lee,I naively DACV thought that breastfeeding would "just come ECC, DABT As a hyper–effi naturally," andcient I wasveter not very well informed inarian, I was tryin aboutg the problems we ended up having. to prep are as much as I could prior Also, find a good lactation consultant!

I was to my one–and–only lucky enough to give birth at achild For those . where hospital of you guys who know Myers– Briggs perso continued on page 24 nality scori ng, I’m a prett high “J” (e.g., y anal retentive), so I wanted to be as orga nized as poss ible for this baby thing.

Boy, was I in for a surprise.

I love my Spectra

T

I prepared as much as I could by reading all parenting and the baby books early.

But there are lies in the books some that no one fills you in on—a I’ll shareMAGAZINE PETVET the two bigges nd t right now. First, skin.” Really?

IT'S OK TO INTR “skin to You don’t think ODUCE THE PACIF your baby is going naturally bond IER BEFORE to to you? You don’t 30 DAYS need to strip baby out of his the PJ’s and unswa Ah, the pacifie ddle at night breastfeeding. r. All the books while That’s what I say that babies nipple confusion was doing; maxim get the skin to skin and not to give izing by unswaddling them a pacifie for one month. I learne r , breastfeedin changing the d all my mom g, diaper, and re–swa had introduced friends ddling a pacifier I had a totally …and now awake baby. After after day two… my sixth week while in the doing this, the of teacher of my hospital. I’m mom’s group so rule–abiding our whole group yelled at , of new moms for one month NEW PETI waited . “NO,” she replied “Slather a ton CARE . of baby diaper —but regret not rash cream on, with the lights startfeed COMM off, and let him UNITY ing sooner! All sleep those coma.” You don’t off the milk read that in any long nights…why RESOU baby books RCE didn’t ! someone tell me it was ok to start WORKS TO earlier?!

INDUSTRY NEWS

22

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Must-Have

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PETVET MAGAZI

NE

By Gwyn Donohue

T

wo million people are infected with resistant strains of bacteria and 23,000 deaths result from antibiotic resistance in the U.S. each year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.

What makes this troubling statistic important to the veterinary community, other pet care profession als and pet owners is that two relatively common bacteria species that have resistant strains, Campylobacter and Salmonell a, are also common in many pets. While these are not classified by the CDC as urgent threats of greatest concern to human health, they are considered a serious threat.

One example is a 2016 outbreak of antibioticresistant campylobacteriosis that involved 113 patients in 17 states, and was determined to be linked to puppies.

Instances like this, along with the fact that resistant strains of bacteria are developing at increasingly rapid rates and outpacing the introduction of new antibiotics , has caused public health officials and the pet care community to actively address the issue of responsible use of antibiotics in companio n animals.

“Recognizing that antibiotic resistant germs are a growing and serious health risk to both humans and animals, last year PIJAC committed to work with the pet care community to create best management practices to combat AMR as part of our participation in the

26 PETVET MAGAZINE

PETVET MAGAZINE IS THE ONLY VET-CENTERED PUBLICATION WHOSE FOCUS IS LESS CLINICAL AND MORE PERSONAL!

For veterinarians and staff alike, PetVet Magazine is sure to inspire and educate, as well as highlight the incredible industry of veterinary medicine and the wonderful people that make up the veterinary community.

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