09/04/2026
This fellow daycare has explained it so well ⬇️⬇️
Please know price increases are never personal!
We do it so we can continue to provide the same, excellent level of care without cutting corners!
Thank you for everyone being so understanding and supportive of our recent increase, it always means alot 🐾 ❤️
So I’ve just had someone contact me about their dog coming to Happy Hounds for dog day care, & queried my price of £37 for a full 10 hour day. I shouldn’t have needed to, but I have had to justify my pricing.
£37 for 10 hours of my time = £3.70 per hour.
For this you get:
🐾 the security of knowing I have been inspected by my local authority & been issued with a licence to say that I meet all their criteria
🐾 a fully insured & dbs checked dog day care facility
🐾 canine first aid qualified
🐾 brachycephalic breed aware trained
🐾 additional qualifications such as NVQ
🐾 a vehicle that is licenced to carry dogs & all that entails (insurance, MOT, tax, maintenance, diesel)
PLUS
🐾 my experience & knowledge in dealing with dogs, whether they be great, a little nervous, reactive, boisterous, & making sure your dog is in with a pack that suits them best, from Pomeranians to Cane Corsos
🐾 a fully maintained paddock for them to run free & play - we have installed new fencing for extra security & a new entrance compound
🐾 an indoor area with log burner, sofas, beds, blankets & towels
🐾 agility equipment & paddling pool in warmer weather
🐾 enrichment toys
🐾 treats, p**p bags, spare coats collars & leads
The reality is that if I am not fully booked, some days I am working for less than the minimum wage. Cancellations happen, whether this is due to a poorly pup, holidays, or owner’s circumstances changing, & I try my best to recuperate any loss of income, sometimes offering a reduced rate to try to fill a space I previously had a booking for.
Then there’s the “hidden expenses”
🐾 cleaning equipment
🐾 electric & fuel for heating
🐾 tax & national insurance
🐾 phone & IT for record keeping
🐾 washing machine for the towels, blankets, beds
🐾 uniform & appropriate footwear
Plus it’s not just the hours I have your dogs, it’s all the additional behind the scenes hours
🐾 cleaning communal areas
🐾 admin
🐾 accounts
🐾 being on call 24/7 regardless of sickness or holiday
🐾 maintenance
🐾 appointment booking system
So PLEASE be kind. Would you go into a shop & query their price, or ask a small business to explain their pricing policy?
Many small businesses are doing their best to survive, particularly with the cost of living increasing.
