A pet waste removal business eliminates pet waste from customers’ yards. This is an essential service that beautifies properties, improves cleanliness, and reduces the chances of illness. Though most pet waste removal business owners remove dog waste from yards, services can extend to emptying cat litter boxes and the waste spaces of other animals.
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 waste removal business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Pet Waste Removal Business
- Form your Pet Waste Removal Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Pet Waste Removal Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Pet Waste Removal Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Pet Waste Removal Business
- Get Pet Waste Removal Business Insurance
- Define your Pet Waste Removal Business Brand
- Create your Pet Waste Removal Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your pet waste removal 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:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
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 Waste Removal 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 waste removal business?
You will need a vehicle to travel from one pet waste removal client’s property to the next. This business requires waste removal equipment. A self-contained vessel for pet waste will certainly help. You will also need a means of scooping the waste off the ground. Invest in shovels, rakes, bleach spray, rubber gloves, pooper scoopers, and trash bags. Consider adding a trailer hitch receiver rack where you can secure a bin to hold animal waste. It will also help to have a website that details your services and rates. These start-up costs will likely cost between $500 and a couple thousand dollars, depending on the quality of equipment you select.
What are the ongoing expenses for a pet waste removal business?
The vehicle used to travel from one customer’s property to the next must be fueled, insured, and maintained. Plan on spending a couple hundred dollars on such expenses each month. The space used to answer phone calls and update the company website will require utilities. Budget $50 to $100 or more for monthly utilities. High-speed internet will run $50 to $100 per month. If pet waste removal equipment wears down, it must be repaired or replaced. Budget at least $50 per month for such repairs/improvements. Additional expenses might arise from disposal fees at landfills, sewage facilities, or the dumpster company.
A pet waste removal employee will earn $8 to $12 per hour. If the business grows to the point that it expands beyond the initial market, an accountant, marketing expert, and possibly a manager can be added. These professionals will command a salary between $30,000 and $60,000 per year.
Who is the target market?
The target market is pet owners. Specifically, the target customer is an individual who is too lazy or too busy to pick up his pet’s waste. It is worth noting some customers are either too old or injured to reach down to pick up pet waste.
How does a pet waste removal business make money?
Money is made by charging pet owners for pet waste removal. Many pet waste removal business owners charge by the week. Others charge by the month, the season or the entire year.
How much can you charge customers?
Charge between $10 and $15 for one weekly visit. Charge between $40 and $100 for one-time cleans of especially messy yards. You can also charge a similar fee for an unscheduled emergency clean.
How much profit can a pet waste removal business make?
The profit depends on the number of customers within driving range. Anticipate a gradual increase in earnings as word spreads about your pet waste removal business. Tens of thousands of dollars can be made in the first year or two. Expand to other markets and earnings can reach the six figure mark. Franchise the business and it can rake in millions of dollars per year.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Offer additional services such as dog walking, pet sitting, deodorizing, the application of flea and tick spray and the removal of waste-related blemishes from yards. Charge extra for additional visits beyond the number agreed to in the contract. Consider charging extra for customers who have multiple pets. After all, collecting and eliminating the waste of several pets will take more time, effort, and manpower than the waste of a single pet.
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 waste removal 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 waste removal 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.
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:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
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.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a pet waste disposal business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Services Contract
Pet waste disposal businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example of one such services agreement.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your pet waste removal business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
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.
Find out what types of insurance your Pet Waste Removal Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Pet Waste Removal Business.
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 waste removal business
Promote the business by placing flyers at boarding kennels, dog daycare centers, dog parks, pet stores, office complexes, condos, veterinary clinics, and other common spaces. Advertise your services on Craigslist. You can even put ads in local papers and magazines. Add a branded wrap to your pet waste removal vehicle to increase exposure.
How to keep customers coming back
Go out of your way to befriend those who work as dog groomers, veterinarians, pet-sitters, pet store employees/owners and others who work with animals. Make sure your website is polished and rife with content optimized for search engines. In terms of customer retention, be reliable and friendly. Show up when expected, perform a thorough clean and be as cordial as possible.
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: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, 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?
If you are looking to make a positive impact on the environment and animals, a pet waste removal business is for you. This is your chance to eliminate unsightly and potentially dangerous animal waste. Your services will add to the visual appeal and safety of local properties. If you have a passion for animals and cleanliness, this is the ideal business.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a pet waste removal business?
The business owner travels between client properties to collect and eliminate pet waste in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner. The business owner also spends time marketing services, interacting with clients, discussing services and rates with potential customers, and servicing pet waste removal equipment.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful pet waste removal business?
A successful pet waste removal business does not require any sort of rare skill. However, those who advertise the business in a highly effective manner will reap the rewards. Press the flesh with people in town to get the word out about your pet waste removal business. Encourage everyone you know to spread the word about your services. Be cordial when interacting with locals as nearly every pet owner in the community is a potential customer.
What is the growth potential for a pet waste removal business?
The growth potential depends on the locale, the business owner’s drive and his marketing prowess. It will certainly help to establish a pet waste removal business in a populous suburban area in which many homeowners own pets that relieve themselves in the yard. Market the business properly and it will have the potential to take off in as little as a couple weeks or months. If the business continues to grow, it can be expanded across the region in the ensuing years and possibly even franchised.
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 waste removal business?
Most pet waste removal businesses provide services of similar quality. It is imperative that you differentiate your business by beating competitors’ prices and offering unparalleled customer service. Treat customers with the utmost respect. Ask them about their pets whenever you interact. Express an interest in their well-being. Continue to establish relationships and your business will gradually grow.
How and when to build a team
A team will not be necessary unless your business expands to the point that you can’t handle the volume of work. If you attract enough customers that are far enough apart, add a pet waste removal member to the team. This employee can drive from site-to-site at the far-away properties while you handle close-by cleans and focus on marketing, accounting and management.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists
- Poop 911 (franchise opportunity)
- Pet Butler (franchise opportunity)