How to Start a Pet Taxi Business

From expensive food to regular grooming appointments, pet owners are infamous for spending money on their animals. Getting one’s pet to their veterinarian and/or grooming appointments, however, can prove quite challenging to work into our already busy lives. Full-time professionals, the elderly, and individuals in poor health face even more obstacles, particularly with the limited hours many businesses hold. For this reason, consumers are now turning to pet taxi services to transport their pets to their various appointments. The animal is picked up, safely secured in the vehicle, and transported where they need to go. At the end of the appointment, he/she is dropped back off home. The peace of mind one gets from knowing their furry friend is being properly cared for is invaluable for most pet owners.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a pet taxi business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Pet Taxi Business
  2. Form your Pet Taxi Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Pet Taxi Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Pet Taxi Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Pet Taxi Business
  7. Get Pet Taxi Business Insurance
  8. Define your Pet Taxi Business Brand
  9. Create your Pet Taxi Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your pet taxi business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Pet Taxi Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a pet taxi business?

Startup costs for a pet taxi business are relatively low, ranging from $15,000 to $40,000, depending upon the supplies you already have on hand. Your initial investment should include the following:

  • Vehicle – Large enough to fit several crates and easy to get in and out of for those animals that have difficulty getting around. Proper climate control is also imperative.
  • Location – While you won’t have a lot of visitors throughout the day, experienced pet taxi business owners recommend having a small brick and mortar shop in a visible and easily accessible location.
  • License – Under the Animal Welfare Act, you may be required to acquire a license through the United States Department of Agriculture. Visit their website for rules and guidelines. Be sure to check with your state, city, and county guidelines as well.
  • Insurance and bond – Your insurance agent can recommend the best policies and bonds to ensure you are fully covered.
  • Business software – Since you are on the road most of the time, having the ability to take payments from your mobile device is essential. There are a variety of options available today, including Square, PayAnywhere, PayPal, and QuickBooks GoPayment. Booking software will help you keep track of appointments and store essential client data.
  • Pet essentials – Various sized crates, dog harness seat belts, toys, treats, water bowls, etc.
  • Website – Try one of the free website builders or hire a professional, depending upon your budget and skill level.

Many new business owners prefer the peace of mind of investing in a franchise. There are a number of franchising options available, with fees ranging anywhere from $12,000 to $21,000, including franchise fee, setup, training, and orientation.

What are the ongoing expenses for a pet taxi business?

Your greatest ongoing expense will be fuel costs and insurance. If you choose to have an office, plan to budget for standard expenses such as rent, utilities, phone, and Internet. While you’ll likely start out as the sole employee, payroll expenses should be considered before you start building a team.

How does a pet taxi business make money?

A pet taxi business charges a fee for services rendered. Fees are charged by the hour, with additional charges for special services and last minute requests.

How much can you charge customers?

When setting your rates, consider factors like mileage, time per trip, number of animals you can transport at once, ongoing costs, and additional services you plan to offer (e.g. dog walks, trips to the dog park, medication administration). Rates are typically a set amount for the first hour, with an additional charge per half hour after that. Additional fees apply for after hours services, last minute bookings, holidays, and short notice cancellations.

How much profit can a pet taxi business make?

If each transporter was able to take four animals to their appointments and work five days a week at $47 per animal, your business will collect $3,760 per month. Deduct your standard expenses to determine the business’ profit. As you start to gain traction, you can add team members and improve profits.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider offering additional services, such as cat and dog sitting (overnight or just daytime), dog walking, picking up pet food and other necessities, and walks to the park. Get to know your client base and learn if there are any retail items they would be interested in purchasing from you.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your pet taxi business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your pet taxi business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a pet taxi business

In this industry, reputation and word of mouth is critical to your success. Get involved in the community and build partnerships with other organizations that cater to animals. Fostering these relationships will help both parties garner more business. The Internet is a useful marketing tool, offering a number of options for free advertising. Build a simple website that offers potential customers relevant information. Advertise on blogs, social media, local online directories, and public sites. Customized car magnets are also effective ways of getting your name out in the community.

How to keep customers coming back

Encourage referrals and repeat customers by providing incentives such as discount days or “buy ten, get one free.” The animals you are charged with will be your biggest advocates – treat them with love and respect and their owners will take notice.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

It is important to remember that pet taxi customers have high expectations; and with good reason. They expect you to show their pets the same love and compassion they would. Therefore, taxi business owners should naturally be drawn to animals, hopefully having a pet themselves. Throughout the workday, drivers will handle multiple animals, each with their own personality and special needs. Understanding body language and cues will help in building a successful business.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a pet taxi business?

Your day will vary depending upon the level of service you offer, the type of animal you are transporting, and where you are transporting them to. Some pet taxi businesses offer a whole suite of services, including trips to the park and long distance travel. For the most part, your days will consist of collecting the animal, securing it in your vehicle, and transporting them to the desired destination. Once the client’s pet is transported back home, it may need a walk and some fresh water before the house is locked up.

In addition to caring for clients’ pets, there are administrative duties to handle and phone calls and emails to answer. You or a member of your staff must remain vigilant with the organization’s marketing efforts to ensure the business’ success.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful pet taxi business?

While a pet taxi business doesn’t require a specific degree or training, there are a number of skills that would prove beneficial. Like humans, each animal you come in contact with will have a unique personality and set of needs. Familiarizing yourself with animal behavior and health will help keep both you and your client’s pet safe. Consider working/volunteering at a veterinarian’s office, groomer, or shelter to gain invaluable hands-on experience.

It is also recommended that you familiarize yourself with the basics in business management. Your business’ brand and growth are reliant on your ability to effectively communicate with both your two-legged and four-legged customers. Strong interpersonal skills and patience are critical. Additionally, show the public and your colleagues that you are committed to safely and humanely transporting each animal by becoming a member of International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA).

What is the growth potential for a pet taxi business?

Reports indicate the pet industry is a $70 billion industry, promising continued growth well into the future. While this business concept is gaining traction around the world, it is still a relatively new service. The market is not oversaturated and promises significant growth in the coming years. This, coupled with the low startup costs, ensures a profitable business venture for entrepreneurs working their way into the industry.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a pet taxi business?

When developing your business plan, consider the following advice:

  • Start out with a small servicing area, expanding further as the business gains popularity.
  • Draft a standard contract to be signed by the pet owner. It should address liability issues and explain the terms of service, including: cost, pickup and drop off details, pet’s information and medical history, emergency contact information, and veterinarian’s contact information.
  • Before opening your doors, conduct thorough research. Learn your competition’s strengths and weaknesses. Identify areas that are lacking and create your own niche.

How and when to build a team

The quality of your staff is important for long-term success. Complete background checks, run driving reports, and work to make sure your staff is trained properly. Additionally, it is recommended that you retain an attorney to assess the legality of your business and receive guidance regarding client contracts, etc.

Useful Links

Real World Examples