Going on a Holiday shopping spree? Don't forget your furry friends!

If last year's numbers are any indication, then it looks like 2012 is going to be another record year for holiday spending.  Where do pet owners factor in the equation?

Industry insiders anticipate that spending on pets will top out at nearly $53 billion this year.  That's a lot of dog biscuits! Can you imagine how many chew toys that would buy?

If you're hitting the mall, the online shops or coming up with some do-it-yourself gifts, don't forget to pick up something for your four-legged friends.  When it comes time to exchange presents, don't let your beloved animal friends come through the holidays empty-handed, er, empty-pawed we mean!

Franchisee Profile: Randy Ring of St. Louis, Missouri

Franchisee Since: February 2005

Location: St. Louis, MO

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A:  Before I decided to go full time with Fetch! Pet Care, I was involved with various sales and marketing positions. My wife and I also published a magazine in St. Louis. My wife is active in the pet industry and runs a website where you can purchase different novelty dog items.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: I was looking for something to that I could enjoy and feel passionate about. I saw some advertising for Fetch! Pet Care's pet franchise opportunities and began to research the brand. After learning more about Fetch!, I was sold on the possibility of pursuing a business with pets as the focus.

Q: Regarding your previous experience, which skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A:  I had a basic knowledge of business from marketing and sales positions. Franchising with Fetch! Pet Care made sense because they could provide me with experience specific to professional pet services that I was lacking. The system was already in place for me, so I could focus on the business and not have to worry about any start-up nightmares.

Q: Why did you choose to enter the pet care industry?

A: Although pet sitting business was a new industry to me, I have always had an active interest in animals. It was a business that I could feel good about and enjoy.

Q: What makes your business different?

A:  I have been with Fetch! Pet Care since very early on in the franchise. Being one of the first franchisees gave me the ability to see the company change and grow. My business approach is unique because I have been able to mature with the franchise and was able to learn quickly from their attentiveness.

ABOUT FETCH! PET CARE

Fetch! Pet Care was founded in Berkeley, Calif., in 2002 by Paul Mann, who wanted his pets to remain in his home instead of kenneling them while he traveled. Finding no professional company suitable to the task, Mann started his own firm with the goal of providing as-needed, reliable, and loving care to pets of all kinds. Today, there are more than 3,000 Fetch! professionals operating in 1,500 U.S. communities. FETCH! Pet Care is the nation's largest and most trusted provider of professional pet sitting and dog walking services, serving thousands of pets and pet parents from coast to coast. Comprised of pet lovers turned business owners, each independently and locally owned Fetch! focuses on taking the stress out of finding a sitter and adding convenience to customer’s lives by doing all of the legwork for them. Fetch! matches you and your pets with the most qualified, experienced pet professional possible. For more information, visit www.fetchpetcare.com. 

Fetch! Pet Care was featured on Franchise Chatter

Fetch! Pet Care was recently featured on Franchise Chatter in an article titled, "How Franchises are Turning to Facebook to Engage with Loyal Customers and Gain New Fans." The article discussed how Fetch! Pet Care was able to increase their Facebook Fan page from about 3,000 to 13,000 fans over the span of a little more than 2 months without advertising by engaging fans to share why their dog had the greatest rescue story. With a goal of 30,000 fans by the end of the year, the article shows how Fetch! Pet Care is utilizing social media marketing as a key business growth strategy and to show support for the animal adoption community. Click here to view the entire article.

How Franchises are Turning to Facebook to Engage with Loyal Customers and Gain New Fans
By:  AMBROSIO

A number of franchises are exploring creative ways to grow their Facebook following and engage with

loyal fans. The method of choice (at least for now) seems to be the use of contests where other Facebook fans vote for the winner.  This strategy has proven effective in boosting fan numbers for as long as the prizes at stake are significant enough to generate buzz and participation.  While giving away free stuff can easily increase fan numbers several fold, the real measure of success is the cumulative impact of the number of new cyber fans who become paying customers, the increase in spending among loyal customers, and the number of new franchises sold.  Watching your followers multiply as a result of the contest is the easy part.  The real challenge lies in converting these fans into actual dollars and cents.
 

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Fetch! Pet Care featured on SecondAct.com

Fetch! Pet Care was recently featured on SecondAct.com in an article titled, "How I Did It: Getting Started in the Pet Business." The article features Fetch! Pet Care franchisees Paul and Deborah Quinn as they discuss how they got started in the pet care industry. When Deborah was laid off during the onset of the recession from her graphic design job, Paul thought they would be secure with his career in the housing sales market. When that started to fall apart, Paul and Deborah started looking for a career they could do together, and one they were truly passionate about. The couple often volunteered to take care of their friends pets when they went out of town, but the Quinn’s realized they could make a career out of this new found pet sitting passion, which is when they found Fetch! Pet Care. With a low investment cost of about $20,000, Paul and Deborah were able to open their own pet sitting business. Click here to view the full article.

How I Did It: Getting Started in the Pet Business
By: Geoff Williams

Your customers may shed and bark really loudly. The cats can be kind of standoffish. Fleas are an occupational hazard. But many people still love working in the pet industry.

Even in a sluggish economy, the pet industry is standing on all four legs. Last year, two-thirds of American households spent north of $50 billion on their pets, mostly on dogs.

That's a comfortable number to consider if you're thinking of taking your next career into the animal kingdom. Pet owners are consumers with serious purchasing power and unique habits, and they represent a compelling market for many businesses.

But if it isn't practical to get your veterinary or zoology degree, don't worry. There are plenty of other career avenues for working with pets.

Here are five second-act careerists who talk about how they got started in the pet business.

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