COVID-19 Resources for Pet Care Businesses
Action Steps to Take
For Your Business
- Review/update your cleaning protocols (see Cleaning Resources)
- Set up hand sanitation stations for clients and staff throughout your facility
- Create policy for at home work (if you have employees who can telecommute). (See Human Resources/Staffing Resources)
- Create shifts or zones for people to work which can help limit exposure if a staff member gets infected (may not be possible in smaller facilities)
- Create policy on how to handle your business if an employee is exposed to COVID-19. Will you close? Do you have staff who were not impacted? How will you notify your clients? Write those letters now. (See Human Resources/Staffing Resources)
- Review your budget now to determine impact of client cancellations. How will you handle cashflow if you lose 10% of revenue? 15%? 50%? (See Dealing with Financial Losses)
- Brainstorm with your staff on revenue generating ideas you can implement if you lose lodging reservations. (See Dealing with Financial Losses)
- Determine your staff to dog ratios. At what point do you need to reduce staff hours? Create a plan for handling temporary layoffs. Will you pay staff while they are out? (See Human Resources/Staffing Resources)
- Determine if COVID-19 warrants any change to your current refund policies
- Understand how your insurance may or may not be impacted by this pandemic (See Insurance Resources)
- Write letters to your city, state and federal legislative bodies to inquire about “essential business” definitions to find out if your business will be considered an essential business (and explain why it should be). (See Legislation Resources)
- Keep up to date with federal legislation being proposed and work closely with your local CPA, employment lawyers and others who can guide you to making good decisions. If you don’t have those resources, find them now and be sure to get representatives who know your state and city regulations. (See Legislation Resources)
- Make plans on how to rehire and reopen when this ends. Write letters know announcing your opening and be prepared to send those as soon as things begin to improve. (See Communication Resources)
For Your Staff
- Educate staff on proper hygiene as it relates to COVID-19
- Educate staff on staying home if they feel sick (review your sick leave policy if needed). (See Human Resources/Staffing Resources)
- Limit all hands meetings or do them via teleconference or phone
- Keep your employees informed of all contingency planning
- If you have fewer dogs, create a list of jobs the staff can do while they are at work (writing SOPs is a great option!)
- Talk with your staff about potential layoffs or termination that could happen. (See Human Resources/Staffing Resources and Legislation Resources)
- Keep up to date with federal legislation being proposed and work closely with your local CPA, employment lawyers and others who can guide you to making good decisions. Keep your staff informed about any policies that are occurring that could affect them.If you don’t have those resources, find them now and be sure to get representatives who know your state and city regulations. (See Legislation Resources)
For Your Clients
- Start telling your clients what you are doing in terms of cleaning/disinfecting (some of this might be what you always do, but you need to inform your clients to help them feel safe) (See Cleaning Resources and Communication Resources)
- Show your clients what you are doing to add new cleaning protocols to your business (use social media as well as emails and word of mouth). (See Cleaning Resources and Communication Resources)
- Communicate refund policies to clients if those are changing due to COVID-19 (See Communication Resources)
- Create new opportunities to generate revenue during this time (see videos on generating revenue). Tell clients about new opportunities for their dogs (See Generating Revenue Resources)
- Inform clients about expectations for pet care if the owner or a family member is exposed to COVID-19 (Will you still take the dog? How long will they need to be isolated at home? Can you offer pickup/delivery services to the client?) (See Communication Resources)
- Put together a list of FAQS for your clients
- Continue to maintain contact with your clients. Check on them, interact with them on social media or via phone or email. You want to maintain relationships so it will be easier to get them back when this is over. (See Communication Resources)
Exit Planning
Business Insurance in Today’s World
AKC Fit Dog Program
Recruiting and Hiring A-Team Players
Profitable Pricing
Marketing
Taking Control of Your Grooming
- Paragon School of Pet Grooming (use code DogGurus100 and save $100)
- The Power of the Bath Webinar Registration
Creating a Puppy Program
Hiring a Dog Trainer for Your Facility
Webinars to help you learn more about dog training
Other resources
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
Safety Protocols for Staff and Clients at Businesses Reopen
Forecasting Revenue
Your Staff, Your Clients, and You
Rethinking Your Business Model
Legislation Resources
Open the link above which will take you to dropbox. Click on the excel spreadsheet in the file and click “yes” to enable macros.
This tool is intended to provide only estimates of the Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance (EIDL)and PayCheck Protection Program Loans (PPPL). It is your responsibility to review current law and implementation guidance for the most current application of the law. The Dog Gurus provides this as a courtesy and general planning tool and not as a definitive answer to the loan programs.
- Executive Orders by State
- National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
- Congressional and Legal Update for Small Businesses Webinar by NFIB
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Tips for Writing Effective Letters Congress
- State Senators – Contact Information
- Information about the Federal Government’s Response to COVID-19
Dealing with Financial Losses
- SBA Loans
- SBA Disaster loans (requires declaration of state of emergency in your state)
- Kiva loans for businesses in the US
- Check your local state resources
- US Tax Payments Postponed
Revenue Generating Ideas
- Trick Training Class affiliate program
- Raising Your Puppy affiliate program
- Dog is Good Affiliate Program
- Paragon Distance Learning. Use code DogGurus100 to save $100
- Kinn Kleanbowl affiliate program
- Try the Kleanbowl now using coupon code SUPER15OFF and save 15% with no minimum orders.
- Taking Your Training Online video (offered by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers)
- EtailPet.com for creating an online store
Blue-9 understands the stressors that the COVID-19 outbreak has put on various services offered in the pet industry. In an effort to help in a time of crisis and offset financial losses, we are offering an additional 10% off of your current dealer pricing now through April 15th.
For new dealers we are waiving the minimum for initial orders for Dog Guru friends. If you are interested in adding Blue-9 products to your facility or retail please visit this link for more information or email us at customerservice@blue-9.com Be sure to mention you learned about us through Dog Gurus.
Grooming Resources
- Grooming Distance Learning Program (use code DogGurus100 and save $100)
- Free 7 Day Trial for Existing Groomers at Learn2GroomDogs
- Free Resources for Groomers
Human Resource/Staffing Resources
Insurance Resources
Communication Resources
Business Efficiency and Recovery
Cleaning Resources
As with any cleaning agent or disinfectant you are using, follow the label directions for safe, effective use. Make sure to follow the contact time, which is the amount of time the surface should be visibly wet. Also be sure you are using any agent on an approved surface. All this is controlled by the EPA for safe, effective and approved use.
- How to use Rescue
- Where to Buy Rescue –
- Infectious Disease in Dogs in Group Settings (See appendix 5 for a Spectrum of Selected Disinfectants)
- Free Disinfecting Posters (scroll part way down page)