Franchisees praise Petpals Head Office for ‘Pawfect’ support during Coronavirus Pandemic

11th September 2020

Image: Phil & Bev Haydon owners of Petpals Chelmsford, Maldon and Danbury which they run with help from manager Sue Bush

Coronavirus

During the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic of March 2020 Phil and Bev, along with the 50+ other Petpals franchisees, received regular help and support from the head office team.

Phil said,

‘The support we received from everyone at Petpals head office, from the initial lockdown in mid-March, was tremendous.  At every step of the way they were there for us, sending us information on what we were and were not allowed to do, what DEFRA and the Government were saying and whether we could walk dogs or not. Once we knew we could, we carried on walking the dogs of key workers and those who were shielding or unable to leave their homes; head office provided us with letters for us to share with staff and clients about hygiene standards and practices which we all found very useful.’

Guidance and support

‘From a financial point of view, they guided us through the furlough system, giving us letters to send to our six staff who we needed to furlough. They also explained how we could make claims for financial support from the Government.’

Manager Sue agreed,

‘I really don’t know how we would have got through that time without them. Aside from all the practical information they sent through, just knowing there was someone we could pick the phone up to was invaluable. It truly gave the often-used, franchise-related phrase, ‘in business for yourself but not by yourself’, true meaning.

Home boarding for holidays

Looking to the future Sue said,

‘Things are definitely picking up, especially in home boarding for dogs and home visits for cats, as their owners are taking holidays again. We are sure that in September, when the children go back to school and people return to their offices, we’ll be back to normal again.’

Phil said,

‘Sue and I would really like to thank everyone at Petpals head office for their support, we really couldn’t have done it without them and I can thoroughly recommend a Petpals franchise to anyone who is considering going into business for themselves (but not by themselves!)

ENDS                                                                                                                                                                                      SEPTEMBER 2020

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