How To Open a Pet Shop in 10 Steps

Have you ever dreamed of opening a pet store?

Perhaps you’re a pet owner who’s always loved animals. For years, you’ve wondered if you could open your own pet business, but it always seemed like too much to take on. Now, you’re ready to investigate your options to see how realistic it actually is.

U.S. consumers spent a total of $151.9 billion on their pets in 2024, up from $97.1 billion just five years earlier. Demand for pet products is increasing, and you can capitalize on it by opening a new pet store in your area — but you may not know where to start.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to open a pet shop in 10 steps, helping you turn your dream into a reality.

Let’s dive in.

1. Conduct Market Research

The first step in learning how to open a pet store is conducting market research on the local pet industry. This includes identifying the most popular pets in your area, understanding how much consumers spend on them, and analyzing where competitors are located.

The most common pets across the U.S. are dogs and cats, so catering to their owners is your best bet. But if your region has an unusually high number of other pets — like birds or rabbits — you can serve those consumers by stocking products for them, too.

Research local competitors before choosing a location. If there are too many options in a small area, you may struggle to drum up enough business. Look for gaps between pet stores where there’s unmet demand for pet products. If you can offer a closer and more convenient option for some customers, you give your business a fighting chance.

2. Write a Business Plan

You may have ideas about how you’d like to run your pet store, but a written business plan forces you to make decisions and put those ideas into words. It helps you flesh out how you’ll run your business and gives you a document to share with relevant parties like bankers and investors.

In your business plan, go into detail about how you intend to make money, including retail sales, services, memberships, and any other potential revenue streams. Add an estimate of your initial budget, how that money will be spent, and your timeline to profitability.

You should also outline how to acquire inventory, hire staff for your pet store, and get the word out. If you need more structure, look for an online template to guide you through what’s typically part of a business plan.

Related Read: Create Your Pet Store Business Plan: 7 Steps to Success

3. Secure Funding and Budget

To get your business off the ground, you need financing. Most people don’t have the money to start a business on their own, which means they secure funds in the form of a bank loan or from investors.

To attain this funding, you need to inspire confidence that your business can succeed. Use your business plan to show that you’ve done your research and made key decisions about the pet store ahead of time. Data on local pet populations and consumer demand can also help demonstrate the viability of your plan.

Related Read: Pet Store Accounting: 6 Tips for Managing Your Finances

4. Register Your Business

Once you’ve created a solid business plan and secured funding, it’s time to get a business license from the state. Filing fees vary by location, ranging from less than $100 to several hundred dollars. As a small business, forming an LLC is often the best option. 

Register your business name and obtain an employer identification number (EIN) and a sales tax permit. Depending on where you live, you may need additional permits to work with live animals or offer grooming and health services. Check local requirements to ensure you stay compliant.

Estimated cost: $50 to $800

5. Build Your Brand

Before you open your doors, you need branding that helps your pet store stand out. This includes your name, logo, colors, and other elements of your in-person and online presence.

If you have the training, you can create this material yourself. Otherwise, consider hiring a freelance designer or branding firm to develop it for you. Depending on who you choose, this service can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Estimated cost: $0 to $5,000

6. Find a Location and Plan the Layout

Take the time to scout out the right location for your pet store. There are many factors to consider as you make this decision. Here are a few:

• Rent price
• Square footage
• High- versus low-traffic area
• Visibility
• Parking
• Loading dock
• Backroom for storage

Rent prices vary greatly based on location and square footage. Stores in urban areas charge more for rent than stores of similar size in small towns. While a more densely populated area is likely to draw more visitors, you also need to find a place with rent you can afford.

The location you choose should be visible to potential customers. A storefront on a high-traffic road is better than a spot tucked away in a hidden corner. Make sure there’s sufficient parking for customers and that the store is easy to access. These factors can make a big difference in customer visits.

Don’t forget to check that the building has the features you need. For example, a loading dock makes it easier to bring in new shipments, and a backroom gives you useful storage space. If you plan to offer services like grooming or training, additional rooms separate from the sales floor are ideal.

Estimated cost: $1,250 to $10,000

Related Read: Creating the Perfect Pet Store Layout: 7 Strategies

7. Choose Suppliers and Acquire Inventory

The next step is stocking your pet store with inventory, which means finding reliable suppliers. Research multiple options and look for vendors offering quality pet products at reasonable prices. Choose providers you can trust, but keep in mind that vetting them thoroughly takes time.

Once you know your supplier options, consider your product mix. Pet stores typically carry food, treats, and toys, along with accessories like collars and leashes. Providing a variety of products and services can make your store a one-stop shop for pet owners. Pay attention to sales trends and periodically adjust your inventory accordingly.

Estimated cost: $10,000 to $50,000 for the initial purchase

8. Invest in Digital Tools

In order to sell anything, you have to be able to process customer payments. The best way to do this is with a modern point of sale (POS) system, which also delivers a variety of other useful features.

If you choose a pet store–specific POS system, you get access to thousands of pet products right from integrated vendor catalogs. The right platform also tracks inventory in real time and includes a built-in website builder so you can sell online.

Estimated cost: $1,000 to $5,000 for setup, $50 to $200 per month for software subscriptions, plus payment processing fees

9. Hire and Train Staff

You can’t run your store alone, so before you open, hire a team of employees. First, post the job listing, review applications, and conduct interviews. Look for candidates who are both qualified and enthusiastic about working in a pet store.

Next, train your team on how the store operates, including navigating the space, using the POS system to ring up customers, and applying effective sales techniques. If you offer services, you may need to hire additional staff, such as dog groomers or trainers. Encourage employees to be friendly and helpful in all customer interactions.

Estimated cost: $8,000 to $24,000 for the first month

10. Engage in Marketing

You need basic marketing materials to generate interest in your pet store. Traditional methods include flyers, banners, and billboards placed around the local area. Digital methods are also effective, like creating social media accounts and running paid ads on platforms like Google, YouTube, and Instagram.

You can also collaborate with social media influencers. If there’s a local pet-related creator with a large following, consider partnering with them for an event or contest and having each of you post about the other on your channels. These partnerships are a great way to introduce both parties to a new audience.

As digital advertising becomes more sophisticated, business owners gain greater control over who they target. You can reach local residents, pet owners, specific age groups, or other audiences, ensuring your ads are shown to the most relevant users.

Estimated cost: About 8% of your projected revenue

How To Open a Pet Shop With eTailPet

Opening a pet store is a challenging process that requires hard work and dedication, but with the right strategies, it can be a profitable and fulfilling endeavor. Before embarking on this journey, make a plan for each step of the process and how much it will cost.

A POS system is an essential tool for launching a pet store, allowing you to ring up customer transactions, manage your inventory, offer e-commerce, and even send marketing communications.

eTailPet is a POS solution designed specifically for pet stores. Along with general retail features, our software is equipped with pet-specific capabilities, like access to pet vendor catalogs and modules for services like training and grooming.

At eTailPet, we want to help you get all the features you need at a price you can afford. Check out our Build and Price tool to see which plan is the best fit for your pet store!