How Petpals Supports You Every Step of the Way
12th December 2025
These are normal concerns. And they are exactly why Petpals has built a support system that guides you from your very first enquiry through to running a thriving pet care business.
As the UK’s longest established multi service pet care franchise, Petpals has spent over 20 years refining its franchisee training and support programmes. The result is a system designed to eliminate guesswork and give you the tools, knowledge, and ongoing guidance to succeed.
Training That Prepares You for Real Life
Your journey begins with a week of intensive training at Petpals headquarters in Andover, Hampshire. This is hands-on, practical learning delivered by certified trainers who understand what it takes to run a successful pet care territory.
The training covers everything you need to know. You will learn professional pet handling for dogs, cats, and exotic animals. You will practise the practical skills that matter day to day, from safely managing different dog breeds on walks to caring for anxious cats and handling small pets with confidence.
But pet care is only part of the picture. Running a business requires different skills, and the training addresses these just as thoroughly. You will cover pricing, planning, marketing, licensing requirements, and the legislation that governs pet care services in the UK. By the end of the week, you will understand not just how to look after animals, but how to build a profitable business around that service.
Launch Support That Gets You Started Right
Once your training week is complete, the support continues. Your Regional Development Manager spends three days with you in your territory, helping you prepare for launch and supporting you through those crucial first client interactions.
This on the ground support makes a real difference. You are not left to figure things out alone. Someone who knows the Petpals model inside out is there beside you, helping with client onboarding, answering questions, and ensuring your launch runs smoothly.
Your franchise investment also includes a comprehensive pre launch and post launch marketing campaign. You receive a free Google Ads campaign, PR activity, social media support, and your own pages on the Petpals website. This marketing push helps you build visibility in your territory from day one, rather than spending months trying to get noticed.
Ongoing Business Development
The first weeks and months of any new business are a learning curve. Petpals understands this, which is why support does not stop once you have opened your doors.
During your first year, you will have regular business development meetings with the support team. These sessions focus on your performance, your goals, and any challenges you are facing. It is an opportunity to review what is working, identify areas for improvement, and plan your next steps with someone who has helped dozens of franchisees grow their businesses.
After your first year, these reviews continue annually. The aim is to help you optimise your business over the long term, not just get you through the startup phase.
A Network of Over 55 Experienced Franchisees
One of the most valuable aspects of franchise support in the UK is the peer network. With Petpals, you join a community of over 55 experienced franchisees who have faced the same challenges and built successful businesses.
The franchisee forum provides a space to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from others who are further along the journey. Whether you need advice on handling a tricky client situation, want to know how others have grown their teams, or simply need reassurance that what you are experiencing is normal, the network is there.
The annual franchisee conference brings the whole network together, creating opportunities for face to face learning, sharing best practice, and building relationships with fellow business owners who understand exactly what you do.
Marketing Support That Works
Marketing can feel daunting if you have never done it before. Petpals removes much of that pressure by providing expert support and ready made resources.
Your territory pages on the Petpals website benefit from professional SEO, helping local pet owners find you when they search online. You receive social media support, branded materials, and guidance on local marketing activities that have worked for other franchisees.
The power of a nationally recognised brand also makes a significant difference. Pet owners searching for reliable care often look for established names they can trust. As a Petpals franchisee, you benefit from the reputation that the network has built over two decades.
Practical Business Support
Running a business involves more than looking after pets and finding clients. There is administration, accounting, recruitment, and compliance to manage. Petpals provides support across all of these areas.
Your franchise fee includes the first year’s subscription to QuickBooks online accounting, along with training from a qualified QuickBooks accredited trainer. This means you start with professional financial systems in place and the knowledge to use them effectively.
You also receive guidance on recruitment and team development. As your business grows and you bring in pet carers to help meet demand, having support with hiring and managing staff becomes increasingly valuable.
The comprehensive operations and technical manuals, refined over 20 years of franchise operations, provide guidance for almost every situation you might encounter. When something comes up that is not in the manual, the head office team is available to help.
Pet Franchise Mentorship
The relationship with Petpals is not a transaction that ends once you have paid your franchise fee. It is an ongoing partnership designed to help you succeed for the life of your franchise.
You have access to further business coaching and development as your business evolves. Whether you want to stay as an owner operator or grow into a management style business with a team of carers, the support adapts to your ambitions.
Some franchisees choose to expand into multiple territories. Others prefer to build a sustainable single territory business that fits around their lifestyle. Petpals supports both paths, helping you shape your business around your goals.
You Do Not Need to Be an Expert
One of the most common concerns prospective franchisees have is whether they have the right background. The truth is, successful Petpals franchisees come from all sorts of careers. What they share is not a specific skill set, but a love of animals and the determination to build something of their own.
Take the First Step
If you are considering a pet care franchise, the best way to understand whether Petpals is right for you is to experience it firsthand. A Discovery Day gives you the chance to visit headquarters, meet the team, learn about the training and support in detail, and ask all the questions you have.
With Petpals, you are in business for yourself but never by yourself. From the moment you join, you have a team and a network committed to helping you succeed.
Ready to find out more? Request your free information pack or book a Discovery Day to see the Petpals training and operations for yourself.
