What Is My Dog Daycare or Boarding Business Worth?

Pet services are booming. Americans spent over $150B on their pets last year, and the premium pet care segment — daycare, boarding, grooming, and training — has been one of the fastest-growing categories. Buyers from individual owners to PE-backed platforms are actively acquiring.

Here's how to value your dog daycare or boarding business.

Typical Valuation Ranges

Most dog daycare and boarding businesses sell for 2.5x to 4x SDE. Multi-location operations with management teams can attract 4x to 6x EBITDA from PE buyers.

Factors that push toward the higher end:

• Recurring membership/daycare packages (not just one-off bookings)
• Multi-location operation
• Revenue above $500K with consistent growth
• Grooming, training, and retail as ancillary revenue
• Modern, purpose-built facility
• Strong online reviews and social media presence
• Long-term lease or owned real estate

Factors that push toward the lower end:

• Owner handles most animal care personally
• Revenue dependent on holiday boarding peaks
• Aging or converted facility (not purpose-built)
• No membership or package programs
• Short remaining lease
• Limited ancillary services

Why Pet Care Is Attractive to Buyers

Emotional spending. Pet owners treat their animals like family. They're willing to pay premium prices for quality care and are relatively price-insensitive.

Recurring revenue potential. Daycare membership programs (3-day or 5-day weekly plans) create predictable monthly revenue that buyers value highly.

Fragmented industry. Most pet care is provided by independent operators. Consolidation is still in early stages.

Post-pandemic tailwind. Pet ownership surged during the pandemic and has remained elevated. More pets means more demand for care services.

Key Metrics Buyers Evaluate

Occupancy Rate

How full are you on average? Daycare occupancy above 70% and boarding occupancy above 80% during non-peak periods indicates healthy demand.

Revenue Per Square Foot

Strong facilities generate $150–$300+ per square foot annually from combined daycare, boarding, grooming, and retail revenue.

Membership Revenue

What percentage of revenue comes from recurring daycare memberships or packages? 40%+ from memberships signals a predictable, sticky revenue base.

Average Revenue Per Client

Total annual revenue per active client across all services. Strong businesses generate $2,000–$4,000+ per client annually through daycare, boarding, grooming, and retail combined.

Facility Quality

Purpose-built facilities with proper ventilation, drainage, outdoor play areas, and separate spaces for small/large dogs are worth more than converted warehouses or garages.

How to Increase Your Business's Value

1. Launch daycare memberships. Monthly packages (e.g., 12 days/month for $350) create recurring revenue and fill weekday capacity.
2. Add grooming and training. These high-margin services increase revenue per client and differentiate you from competitors.
3. Invest in your facility. Webcams (so owners can watch their dogs), climate control, outdoor spaces, and clean finishes improve customer confidence and justify premium pricing.
4. Build your online presence. Google reviews, Instagram content, and a professional website drive new client acquisition. Pet parents research extensively before choosing a provider.
5. Systematize operations. Standardized intake procedures, staff training programs, and safety protocols make the business transferable.
6. Hire and retain great staff. People who genuinely love animals and handle them well are your competitive advantage. Invest in retention.

Ready to Find Out What Your Pet Care Business Is Worth?

Browse the valuation multiples guide for current industry data, or schedule a free call for a confidential valuation.